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Bovie Medical Corporation Announces $3 Million Private Placement
Bovie Medical Corporation (the "Company") (AMEX:BVX) today announced it entered into a definitive agreement on April 18, 2010, to sell securities to institutional investors in a private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $3 million. The closing of the offering is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Under the terms of the offering, Bovie will sell 571,429 shares of common stock in the aggregate at a price of $5.25 per share. The purchasers will also receive warrants to purchase 285,714 shares of common stock in the aggregate which are exercisable immediately and have an exercise price of $6.00 per share and a term of 5 years. The exercise price of the warrants may be adjusted in the event of subsequent events, including stock splits and dividends and the issuance of securities at a price that is less than the exercise price of warrants then in effect. Net proceeds from the offering will be used for general working capital purposes. Bovie is required to file a resale registration statement within 30 days following the closing that covers the resale by the purchasers of the shares and the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants.
Andrew Makrides, president of Bovie Medical, stated, "We believe the participation of institutional investors is evidence of the confidence the investment community has placed in our company, while strengthening our ability to develop and market our proprietary technologies for the medical industry."
Rodman & Renshaw, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RODM - News), acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. The securities offered and sold in the private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration, or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
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text: ESPN Feed: howard bryant http://assets.espn.go.com/i/tvlistings/tv_espn_original.gif ESPN en-us 10 ESPN Inc. http://espn.go.com/ Copyright 2010 ESPN Inc. Breaking down the 2012 Ohio State defensive backs depth chart, a position in which the Buckeyes are deeper than last season and have a fair share of playmakers.]]> August 13, 2012 01:55:13 PDT Howard Schnellenberger is one of the more fascinating characters in the history of college coaching. The FAU coach has five decades of coaching experi...]]> May 10, 2010 01:00:59 PDT Over the weekend, the SEC office sent out a press release highlighting its staggering success in the draft this year, and in recent years. Fittingly, ...]]> April 26, 2010 07:45:23 PDT

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Are you a "mega-commuter"?
That's a term used by the U.S. Census Bureau to describe people who commute at least 90 minutes and 50 miles to work. Nearly 600,000 Americans spend that much time in vehicles, carpool lanes, and trains and buses each day, according to the bureau.
This interactive map, created by WNYC, shows commute times, by ZIP code, across the country. Zoom into your area to see how your commute compares:
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|Europe and North America
|Animal rights
|Direct action
|AR Militia
The Animal Rights Militia (ARM) is a banner used by animal rights activists who engage in acts of violence which ignore any precautions to avoid harm to human and non-human life.[1]
The Animal Rights Militia first emerged in the United Kingdom their focus was on illegal acts of violenjce and fanaticism. Utilizing tactics such as the destruction of property, intimidation, and including the use of violence, the ARM have sent letter bombs, placed incendiary devices under cars and in buildings, contaminated food products, sent death threats, and desecrated a grave.
The name was not heard of for eight years after a series of actions in England from 1982 to 1986. Philosopher Peter Singer wrote in 1986 that the ARM may not really exist.[2] The ARM claimed an arson a year later in California, with a series of arsons, hoax bombs and threats reappearing in the 1990s, notably in the Isle of Wight, Cambridge, North Yorkshire and Oxford. The damage caused by fires averaged £2 million in each location.[3] ARM activists continue to report actions in European countries, North America and Australia. Similar to the ALF, activists send anonymous claims of responsibility to Bite Back Magazine, a website supportive of the animal rights- and eco-terrorism.
The ARM formed the same leaderless-resistance model as the Animal Liberation Front.[4] A cell may consist of just one person. The existence of activists calling themselves the Animal Rights Militia or Justice Department reflects a struggle within the Animal Liberation Front and the animal rights movement in general, between those who believe violence is justified, and those who insist the movement should reject it in favor of non-violent resistance.[5]
The first action became known on November 30 when five letter bombs were sent to Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister,[2] the Home Office minister responsible for animal legislation, as well as the leaders of Britain's three main opposition parties, signed by the Animal Rights Militia.[6][7] The office manager to Thatcher suffered superficial burns on his hands and face when opening the package that burst into flames.[8] It was later reported that the 8-by-4 inch package filled with gunpowder that exploded evaded Post Office scanners, causing a tightening in mail security at 10 Downing Street. Scotland Yard led the investigation stating, "We are now connecting all five letter-bombs with the same organisation."[6]
In February, four months after the attack against politicians, five more letter bombs were sent to different addresses in London, England, claimed again by the ARM.[9] In an action apparently to protest the annual seal hunt in Newfoundland, Canada, the explosives were delivered to the Canadian High Commission, the then Agriculture minister, a surgeon and a furrier. This time, however, as the padded envelopes were defused, there were no injuries.[citation needed]
In September, incendiary devices were placed under the cars of two animal researchers for BIBRA (British Industrial Biological Research Association) in South London, which completely wrecked both vehicles.[7] ARM then claimed the contamination of Mars products, claiming it was because of their animal experiments relating to tooth decay which ARM claimed the company had no intention of ending.[10] ARM then claimed the contamination was a hoax and they had not carried out the action. But claimed that it had caused huge financial damage which was the intention.[10]
Three months later in January, ARM claimed responsibility for placing incendiary devices under cars of four individuals involved in animal research at Huntingdon Life Sciences. The explosives were placed in Harrogate, South London, Staffordshire and Sussex, timed to explode an hour apart from each other. This time, also the last time according to the cell, the bomb disposal team were alerted, who deactivated the devices that were confirmed to be live. The next attack the ARM claimed was intended to kill Dr Andor Sebesteny, an animal researcher for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF). However he noticed the device that was attached under his car which saved his life, since no warning had been given.[7] ARM also claimed responsibility for sending more letter bombs to individuals involved in vivisection.[11]
On 1 September, at San Jose Valley Veal & Beef, Santa Clara, California, the ARM claims responsibility for an arson which cost $10,000 in damages.[12]
The Animal Rights Militia is believed to be a splinter group of the Animal Liberation Front. The reason ARM was created is that the ALF has a strict no-violence policy towards any living being, whereas this newfound group can use all means necessary to free animals from places of abuse and torture. Since they have been set up, the ARM has caused millions of pounds (and dollars) worth of damage to animal labs, universities and slaughterhouses. Also, ARM have costed companies such as Mars and Lucozade millions of pounds because of false contamination claims, as described later.
Some ministers claim ARM does not actually exist, and is actually a part of the ALF, used to distract the police and intelligence services from itself.
On 4 January 1992, the Edmonton Journal reported of an ARM action claimed by a letter and sent to the journal, as well as the Canadian Press. The cell said they injected 87 of the month-old food bar, the Canadian Cold Buster, with liquid oven cleaner, resulting in the product being pulled from shelves in Alberta, Canada. The ARM claimed in the letter, along with two bars,[13] the contamination was due to the slaughter of thousands of rats, injected with various drugs, frozen and starved, "...because of the decade-and-a-half-long history of animal suffering that is this candy's history." The police at the time advised against consuming the food bar, unsure whether the action was genuine.[4][14] The candy bars sent to the media were later confirmed to have been injected with saline solution (harmless sterilised table salt), proving to be a hoax.[13]
On 6 July, it was reported widely that the Cambridge store of Boots and also the Edinburgh Woolen Mill in the centre of the city had caught on fire. The Boots branch burnt for four hours completely destroying the building and the wool clothing store was badly damaged with the entire stock ruined. Two more devices were then found, both leather shops, one of which was in the pocket of a sheepskin coat. The ARM claimed all four devices, causing Cambridge city centre to be cordoned off whilst officers searched for two more devices that the cell claimed would explode the following day at 12pm. After an extensive search, it was concluded that the additional two devices claimed were a hoax, with no further devices exploding the following day. A month later, another leather shop was destroyed and the same wool mill suffered minor damage after devices went off, with two more recovered in leather shops and one in a fur shop.[15]
ARM then set fire to shops on the Isle of Wight two week later, causing £3 million worth of damage.[11] Initially an incendiary device had been found in a fishing tackle shop as a customer tried on a jacket, accidentally discovering the cigarette packet explosive. The police were called and seized the jacket for forensic tests, alerting all other fishing tackle shops in the island.[15] However four further devices had been planted in Ryde and Newport, with the next one found in Halfords, a subsidiary of Boots, that was detonated in a controlled explosion. The three remaining devices then ignited in the early hours of the morning, setting ablaze two leather shops and an Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) shop, as a hundred firefighters attended to the fires.[3]
Throughout the rest of the year extensive damage continued to occur elsewhere, most notably in the other end of the country in North Yorkshire by the ARM. Boots in Harrogate and Fads, another Boots subsidiary, were set on fire, followed by another ICRF shop and a bloodsports shop. In York, a newly refurbished Boots and Fads were again targeted by arsonists, causing a less but still severe damage to the properties.[3]
On Christmas Day, the ARM then claimed in writing to two of Vancouver's biggest chains, Save-On Foods and Canada Safeway, that they had injected rat poison into turkeys in supermarkets.[16] Evidence of contamination was not found.[13]
ARM further came to widespread public attention in the UK in December, during one of Horne's hunger strikes, which lasted 68 days. It was carried out in protest at the British government's refusal to order a commission of inquiry into animal testing, and ARM threatened to assassinate a number of individuals involved in vivisection should Horne die. Those threatened were Colin Blakemore, later chief executive of the Medical Research Council; Clive Page of King's College London, a professor of pulmonary pharmacology and chair of the animal science group of the British Biosciences Federation; Mark Matfield of the Research Defence Society; and Christopher Brown, the owner of Hillgrove Farm in Oxfordshire, who was breeding kittens for laboratories.[17]
ARM claimed responsibility for removing, in October, from a grave the body of Gladys Hammond, the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, part-owner of Darley Oaks Farm, which bred guinea pigs for Huntingdon Life Sciences, and which had been the target of the animal rights campaign Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs.[18] The body was removed from a churchyard in Yoxall, Staffordshire, and found buried in woodland on 2 May 2006.[19]
Following the announced in August that the Hall family were no longer breeding guinea pigs for medical research, the ARM sent letters to the homes of 17 company directors associated with HLS. Most of the companies targeted were building contractors based in Peterborough, Huntingdon, and Harrogate. A letter from the ARM activists said:
The company you work for is working with Huntingdon Life Sciences. This is a disgusting and cowardly act. You have a choice. You can walk away from those sick monsters or you can personally face the consequences of your decision. Not only you but your family is a target. Sever your links with HLS within two weeks or get ready for your life and the lives of those you love to become a living hell.[20]
Two weeks after the letters were sent in late September, nine companies, more than half, severed their ties with HLS.
Four people were convicted on 11 May for their involvement in what The Guardian called "a six-year hate campaign" that included letter bombs, vandalism and grave robbing. The judge described the group's actions as "subjecting wholly innocent citizens to a campaign of terror." The campaign included hate mail signed Animal Rights Militia (ARM) and Animal Liberation Front (ALF). Those convicted were Jon Ablewhite, John Smith and Kerry Whitburn each of whom who were given twelve year sentences and Josephine Mayo who was sentenced to four years.[21]
On 14 December, the ARM said they had poisoned bottles of POM juice drinks:[22]
In a well coordinated action, 487 bottles of POM wonderful juices were tampered with along the Eastern seaboard in stores like Wild Oats, D'Agostino's and Food Emporiums. Those who drink the contaminated juice won't die like the animals in pom labs, but the diarrhea, vomiting and headaches will hopefully send a strong message that people will no longer allow innocent defenseless animals to be tormented and killed for a health juice and to line the pockets of profiteers who don't have feelings for those weaker than they are.
At POM one week old baby mice are deprived of oxygen and then their brains cut open and rabbits have their arteries severed so they get erectile dysfunction so that pom wonderful can make money off the pain and suffering inflicted on animals inside the pom wonderful labs.
A spokesperson for POM replied: "If it is a hoax, it is a form of blackmail. If actual contamination has taken place, with the intention of injuring innocent people, it is an act of terrorism. Either way, the Animal Rights Militia is trying to scare and intimidate innocent people. That is criminal behaviour." It also said that the company conducted a vast amount of research involving human studies and that only a small amount of tests were animal based, which did not include dogs, cats or primates.[23] The owners the following month then stated: "POM Wonderful pomegranate juice has ceased all animal testing, and we have no plans to do so in the future." This followed Whole Foods Market, the biggest grocery chain in natural stores, threatening to stop selling their products, initiated by the PETA campaign.[24]
In October 2007 the ARM again claimed to have contaminated tubes of Savlon with sodium hydroxide, as well as Lypsyl and Lamisil, citing no anti-tampering seal.[25]
On 30 August, ARM claimed to have deliberately contaminated 250 tubes of Novartis's widely-used antiseptic Savlon in shops including Superdrug, Tesco and Boots The Chemist who all withdrew sales of the cream.[26] The cell claimed in a communique to Bite Back:[27]
We don't want to kill living beings like Novartis but the side effects and the inevitable hospital stay will give people an idea of what Novartis pays for inside Huntingdon Life Sciences. The message is clear and uncompromising Vasella, you must stop killing animals inside Huntingdon Life Sciences or this will only be the beginning of our campaign.
Paul Scare was sentenced to one year in prison for sending razor blades to the people who he had targeted.[15]
Barry Horne was subsequently jailed for eighteen years for the arson attacks. The prosecution successfully argued that the devices used in Bristol and the Isle of Wight were so similar that Horne should be regarded as responsible for both, despite only pleading guilty to an attempted arson in Bristol.[28] Robin Webb, who runs the Animal Liberation Press Office in the UK, narrowly avoided being charged with conspiracy.[11]
Niel Hanson was sentenced to three years for sending the hoax device to GlaxoSmithKline public relations officer in Hertfordshire. He was initially charged with conspiracy to murder, which was then revised to a lesser crime and he was re-sentenced to serve three years, for the device that was a bag of cat litter sent via taxi.[15]
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In 1992, when I started my doctorate research in the interdisciplinary field of Law and Literature, The Legal Imagination was one of the first books I read. To European eyes, it was a most unusual book since in continental legal theory in those days, the Anglo-analytical tradition was predominant, and French deconstruction had for some time been the up-and- coming stream. Fascinated as I became with Professor White's works, I decided to try to get in contact with him in order to ask him about the genesis of his ideas. So much for the dangers of the intentional fallacy Whimsatt and Beardsley warned us against! My supervisor agreed wholeheartedly when I told him about my project, though, with hindsight, probably because he thought the whole enterprise preposterous. After all, from our European perspective then, it would be outrageous to suppose that any famous American professor, and one of the founders of an expanding movement at that, would ever grace such a request with an answer. Nevertheless, write I did, and to my surprise I received a reply, saying, in a letter of September 8, 1992, "It is a great honor to me that you have such an interest in my work." I was elated!
May 2007 Vol. 105 No. 7 THE REVIEW
Tribute: Educative Friendship — A Personal Note
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Crawford v. Washington: A Ten Year RetrospectiveNo one disputes the significance of Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004), which fundamentally transformed Confrontation...
Come Back to the Boat, Justice Breyer!I want to get Justice Breyer back on the right side of Confrontation Clause issues. In 1999, in Lilly...
Crawford v. Washington: The Next Ten YearsImagine a world . . . in which the Supreme Court got it right the first time. That is,...
The Crawford DebacleFirst a toast-to my colleague Jeff Fisher and his Crawford compatriot, Richard Friedman, on the...
Confrontation and the Re-Privatization of Domestic ViolenceWhen the Supreme Court transformed the right of confrontation in Crawford v. Washington, the prosecution...
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» Italian Serie A 2002-2003 : Results
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Roma head into the Serie A winter break three points behind leaders Juventus after being held 0-0 by 10-man AC Milan.22:00 » BBC Sport
MANCHESTER UNITED are still in with a chance of signing Juventus star Stephan Lichtsteiner despite claims that the defender is on the verge of penning a new contract.16:25 » Daily Express
Inter Milan are reportedly planning to offer Tottenham Fredy Guarin in their bid to take Aaron Lennon to the San Siro in January.13:30 » EatSleepSport
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman admits he's a big fan of Everton veteran Samuel Eto'o . The Dutchman was manager of Valencia when Cameroon legend Eto'o was in his pomp at Barcelona . read more09:56 » tribalfootball.com
Hajduk Split teenage midfielder Nikola Vlasic is a target for Arsenal . read more09:52 » tribalfootball.com
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was snappy with reporters yesterday over questions regarding Mario Balotelli. read more09:48 » tribalfootball.com
Dani Osvaldo is enjoying his football with Inter Milan . The striker is on-loan from Southampton . read more07:41 » tribalfootball.com
Parma 's new owners have been unveiled as Russian-Cypriot Dastraso Holding Ltd. Fabio Giordano has been named as temporary President. read more07:41 » tribalfootball.com
Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero insists his club would be the right move for Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli . read more07:41 » tribalfootball.com


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An automatic colorant dispenser having a compact modular design incorporating simply installed, precision stepper-motor driven, colorant pump modules, specifically designed to provide maximum abrasion resistance using advanced aerospace technologies plus exceptional operational life utilizing high quality, high precision and high reliability mechanical and electrical components. By employing advanced performance materials and space saving, compact geometric and ergonomic design methodology in the fully modular automatic colorant dispenser, up to sixteen space saving, two gallon colorant canister modules are efficiently grouped and directly connected to their respective energy-saving colorant pump modules. All component modules have been ergonomically located behind large open access panels to ultimately maintain the system with maximum convenience and simplicity. Built-in retractable production shelves provide maximum operational versatility but retract into a compact 2′×4′ footprint weighing only 440 pounds. Stainless steel used on all working surfaces and advanced twin epoxy powder paint protects the modular cabinet.
1. A modular colorant dispenser, said modular dispenser comprising:
at least one colorant module, said module comprising:
a canister dimensioned to hold said colorant, wherein said canister has an agitator and a fin;
a pump module, said pump module connected to said canister, said pump module comprising:
a stepper motor;
a bearing shaft rotatably connected to said stepper motor;
a pump body receiving said bearing shaft, said pump body having a chamber through which said colorant flows and said pump body having an industrial hard coat;
a seal between said bearing shaft and said pump body, whereby said seal prevent said colorant from leaking out of said bearing shaft;
twin impellers rotated by said bearing shaft disposed in said chamber;
wherein said stepper motor controls rotation of said bearing shaft and said twin impellers, and wherein said colorant flows through said colorant pump propelled by said twin impellers;
an inlet line connecting said canister to said pump, wherein said colorant is pumped out of said canister and into said pump body through said inlet line, said inlet line having an inlet fitting to securably attach said inlet line to said pump body;
an outlet line, wherein said colorant is pumped out of said pump body through said outlet line;
a valve connected to said colorant pump for dispensing said colorant;
a nozzle connected to said valve to direct said colorant to a container; and
a return line connecting said valve to said canister whereby excess of said colorant is returned to said canister through said return line;
wherein said at least one nozzle of at least one colorant module is connected to a nozzle assembly, wherein said nozzle assembly dispenses colorant to the container.
2. The modular colorant dispenser claimed in
a housing, said housing having a top, a floor, a front, and a back;
a projection on said front of said housing, wherein said projection is predisposed to accommodate said nozzle assembly from said modular colorant dispenser;
said top of said housing having a plurality of openings, said openings are a predetermined size to accommodate said canisters and said openings are in hexoidal relation to each other, whereby said canisters are suspended from said top of said cabinet;
a pull-down shelf for a small container, said pull-down shelf disposed on said front of said housing, and said pull-down shelf having a resting position and an active position, said pull-down shelf is located under said projection, whereby said pull-down shelf is pulled down to said active position only when using said small container, and said pull-down shelf is in said resting position when using a large container; and a pull-up shelf for a large container, said pull-up shelf is disposed on said front of said housing, said pull-up shelf being located under said pull-down shelf, whereby when said pull-up shelf is in use, said pull-down shelf is in said resting position, and whereby a container is placed on either said pull-down shelf or said pull-up shelf, and said colorant is dispensed from said valve modules and said nozzles located inside said projection.
3. The cabinet as claimed in
4. The cabinet as claimed in
5. The cabinet as claimed in
6. The cabinet as claimed in
7. The cabinet as claimed in
8. The cabinet as claimed in
9. The cabinet as claimed in
an upper pivot arm having a top and a bottom, wherein said top of said upper pivot arm is pivotally attached to said shelf; and
a lower pivot arm having a top end and a bottom end, said top end is pivotally attached to said bottom end of said upper pivot arm by a spring-loaded locking pin, and said bottom end of said lower pivot arm is pivotally attached to said work surface, whereby said spring-loaded locking pin locks said shelf into position, and whereby said spring loaded locking pin disengages upon the application of force onto said shelf.
10. The cabinet as claimed in
11. The cabinet as claimed in
12. The cabinet as claimed in
13. The modular colorant dispenser claimed in
14. The diagnostic module as claimed in
15. The diagnostic module as claimed in
This invention relates to the field of colorant pumps and, in particular, to a modular automatic colorant dispenser.
Automatic Colorant Dispensers are well known in the art. Generally, colorants dispensed by these dispensers contain various abrasive and corrosive components including water. The prior art pumps used to dispense these colorants are of a lower quality, generic, single impeller "oil-pump" type usually produced from cast iron and are continuously exposed to the abrasive, oxidizing materials. These operating conditions cause dramatic wear to critical internal metering components in the generic prior art pumps resulting in their eminent failure usually within the first three months of normal system usage. These prior art pumps are very inconvenient to replace in existing prior art automatic colorant dispensers because of antiquated drive methods employed. These pumps are also very expensively priced and including the required qualified service technician labor, pump replacement can initially cost up as much as one tenth of the total system price.
Prior art pumps were never originally designed to pump colorants. Prior art pumps handled many different types of oils. These oils provided the much needed shaft lubrication.
Because pumped colorants do not provide any lubrication, constant colorant abrasion under pressure attacks the solid cylindrical bearings needed to maintain the proper pump shaft rotational geometry in all prior art pumps. The prior art pump drive system torque requirements are extremely demanding, highly inefficient and drive up the overall electrical power requirements of the entire automatic colorant dispenser. A single prior art pump cannot be rotated manually indicating the extremely inefficient method of pump shaft bearing design.
Attempting to protect and to reduce the internal wear and damage caused by the hardened foreign matter in colorants, generic prior art pumps employ a ceramic plastic impeller. This material has proven to be a poor design choice for the application. Broken or chipped impeller teeth cause severe loss of calibration and reduce the pump output dramatically.
Prior art automatic dispenser manufacturers have also implemented individual colorant filters or strainer units attempting to protect their pumps from the foreign materials in the colorants. Because of the wide viscosity ranges of many popular colorants, the filters or strainers almost immediately clog up and starve their pumps of colorant. Because precise, repeatable metering is needed to deliver each colorant to achieve the desired color formula or recipe, the clogging causes the product to be mis-tinted and ultimately rejected.
Prior art dispensers usually contain from ten to sixteen colorant circuits each including one storage canister and one pump per colorant circuit. Prior art pumps are driven by either one of two ways.
The first method employs a large length of roller chain, associated idler sprockets to maintain chain positioning through the dispenser and a large horsepower motor with a gear reduction unit that provides the needed output power.
The second method is employing an individual motor of significant fractional horsepower with a combined gear reducer to an individual prior art pump with horizontal shaft rotation. The majority of prior art automatic dispenser manufacturers all have chosen the single roller chain driven approach over of the large expense of multiple drive motor/gear reducers. Both of these drive approaches sacrifice individual precision metering because the prior art pumps were never designed to deliver dispense accuracies greater than {fraction (1/128)} of an ounce.
Replacement of pumps in the prior art has been difficult due to the pump locations and the critical realignment of these drive components must be completed in cramped confined space which is very time consuming. This intentionally reinforces that prior art pumps should only be replaced by factory approved service technicians.
Canisters of the prior art automatic dispensers have been produced from stainless steel tube with welded bottom plates. Each colorant canister in a system contributes significant weight to the system. In configuring prior art automatic dispensers to dispense water-based colorants for architectural paints and coatings, stainless steel canisters provide no significant structural advantages and could actually be replaced with other equally compatible canister materials such as PVC (polyvinylchloride) that are lighter and more easily machined.
Automatic dispensers in the prior art utilize a discharge nozzle component that allows each individual colorant circuit to come together in a small diameter. The prior art nozzles have many mechanical joints where components must be connected at mating surfaces. O-rings are needed to seal each joint. Every joint is a potential location for colorant to leak between individual circuits causing cross contamination of all of the colorants.
Automatic Dispensers in the prior art have been manufactured for over forty years using large, space consuming cabinets weighing in excess of a half ton with bulky roller conveyors attached to the front sections. Prior art cabinets were never efficiently designed for functional usage in providing adequate service access openings to critical internal components. Prior art dispenser manufacturers physically buried computers inside prior art cabinets eliminating the possibility of quick access or even simple upgrading of the operating PC system. For these types of customer service, an authorized factory service technician would be required to perform these tasks.
For many years, the Paint and Coatings market has been requesting smaller, more compact cabinets to fit the constantly shrinking floor space availability faced by paint retailers and manufacturers. Prior art manufacturers have responded to these requests only with automatic dispenser designs that suffer decreased performance and reliability to insure that their customer service departments maximized profitability.
Automatic dispensers in the prior art have always required the refilling of each of the colorant canisters. Prior art manufacturers have made the colorant refilling process a difficult task by placing certain canisters in extremely hard to reach locations. In some models, half of the colorant canisters used are at the rear of the dispenser making access to those canisters impossible. Prior art dispensers have been poorly designed with the addition of heavy, hard to move roller conveyors that span the entire front of the dispenser cabinets.
Prior art manufacturers have not addressed the serious ergonomic needs of the operator for the safe operation and maintenance of prior art automatic dispensers. Operators place themselves in potentially harmful physical positions when attempting to reach the inaccessible rear mounted canisters. Operators must straddle the bulky, front mounted roller conveyor in the refilling process while pouring heavy containers of colorant at arms length.
Addressing the electrical requirements and associated electronics of existing automatic dispensers in the prior art have basically operated in the very same way for as long as they have been manufactured. Presently offered systems operate using inefficient large horsepower motors to handle the demanding torque requirements of each out of date pump. Safety is an issue when trying to replace or repair a component that may be near any one of unguarded exposed roller chain paths. It is important to note that these systems have not improved with modern cutting edge technology, either in mechanical advances or in innovative electronics.
The present invention includes a specifically designed pump module, containing a precision dual bearing housing with two pairs of precision needle bearings, hardened dual shafts and impellers, an abrasion resistant, hard-coated pump chamber, twin Viton cartridge seals, an abrasion resistant, hard-coated lower cover plate and premium quality, quick disconnect fittings at inlet and outlet of pump chamber.
The present invention incorporates the pump, mounted on a pump drive bracket with power provided to the main pump shaft by a precisely controlled stepper motor. The stepper motor is directly connected to the driven pump shaft with a zero backlash coupling of solid design. The stepper motor is mounted to the top surface of the pump drive bracket providing simple but precise alignment of all three components. The pump module is physically attached to the base of the modular cabinet with a new 3M product that provides easy attachment, but this 3M foam adhesive product also cushions and eliminates vibrations and provides absolute silence during operation.
Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to provide an efficient colorant pump with repeatable high accuracy.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a colorant pump that delivers superior extended life.
It is still another aspect of the invention to provide a colorant pump that requires minimal torque to rotate.
It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a precisely supported bearing shaft geometry that will not fail under constant colorant pressure or contamination.
It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide an automatic colorant dispenser that has maximized modular design geometry and provides efficient, simplified repair or replacement of all critical parts.
It is still another aspect of the invention to provide an automatic colorant dispenser that operates quietly.
The present invention also incorporates a specifically designed canister module that is mounted in an ergonomic space-saving cabinet. The modular automatic colorant dispenser includes mounting provisions for up to sixteen canister modules. The canister modules are produced from PVC and have a lower plate and upper cover also fabricated from PVC. Each canister module is directly mounted to the top mounting plate surface in the new modular cabinet. Each pump module is directly positioned under each canister module to optimize the input connection tubing geometry between pump and canister. No colorant filters or strainers are required or used in the present invention.
Each canister module includes a built-in colorant agitator motion system. An individual agitator motor is connected to the bottom plate of each canister. A center pipe is threaded into the canister bottom plate with a Viton o-ring sealing the threaded pipe connection. The center pipe is fitted with small bearings at the top and bottom of the pipe. The agitator shaft rotates inside the center pipe and directly connects to the agitator motor output shaft.
The specifically designed ladder fin agitator provides slow, gentle agitation of all colorants and is fully programmable to handle even the most demanding colorants. The canister module has been designed to allow simplified replacement by removing four screws in the top mounting plate and disconnecting the inlet, outlet lines and unplugging the electrical connection to the agitator drive motor.
The present invention also incorporates each component module into a specifically designed modular automatic dispenser cabinet. The modular cabinet has been designed to efficiently house all automatic dispenser component modules. Up to sixteen colorant canister positions have been arranged in twin hexoidal canister patterns to reduce total cabinet space. Easy access to all system components modules has been provided through four (4) full width panels. One panel each on the left and right sides and two panels at the rear allow maximum open access of all dispensing components. Each panel is the same physical size and is fitted with a keyed lock.
The present invention incorporates additional features into the modular automatic dispenser cabinet that provide safety to the operator. Two hinged top panels provide full open access to all colorant canisters for easy refilling of colorants. Both left and right side panels are equipped with air dampened shock cylinders to eliminate any possibility of premature panel closing. Both panels will safely remain in a vertical position until the operator physically closes the top panels.
The present invention incorporates a centrally located compartment that houses up to sixteen individual solenoid valves. The forward, upper central cabinet location for these valves is critical in maintaining a minimal length of output tubing between each colorant circuit solenoid valve and their corresponding discharge nozzle connection.
The modular automatic dispenser cabinet has been designed with a small cabinet protrusion at the upper front center area that houses a discharge nozzle module of compact geometry. All required colorants to produce a specific paint formula can be simultaneously dispensed from this compact discharge nozzle module without any opportunity of colorant contamination between colorant circuits.
Each colorant circuit in the discharge nozzle module is equipped with a quick disconnect fitting allowing direct connection to each solenoid valve with an absolute minimal length of tubing. The modular automatic colorant dispenser cabinet provides a removable discharge nozzle module cover for full access to this modular component. A flush mounted upper cover is also provided for full access to the complete solenoid valve array and the associated colorant circuit tube piping.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide an automatic colorant dispenser with a nozzle that does not leak or drip.
The present invention incorporates two built-in retractable, stainless steel shelves for simplified dispensing of colorants into both one (1) gallon containers and also five (5) gallon buckets. When retracted, both shelves are flush to the front surface of the modular cabinet. The five gallon shelf has been designed into a flush mounted opening is the full width of the cabinet.
A specifically designed spring loaded, locking latch mechanism is centrally located below the five gallon shelf The two-piece locking arm is fabricated from multiple laminated steel plates for maximum strength. The locking latch design provides positive locking of the shelf in the operating position and can withstand four times the actual load.
The simple lifting of the shelf allows the spring-loaded detent to release the shelf for flush mounted storage. This detent is automatically reset when the shelf is lowered, allowing the next locking motion to occur.
The stainless steel working surface of the five (5) gallon shelf has been formed with three full width horizontal ribs to assist in the movement of five (5) gallon pails and totally eliminates the need of bulky, space consuming conveyor rollers. When placed in the appropriate dispense position on this shelf, with the filler cap or "bung hole" opened, a five (5) gallon pail will maintain precise alignment to simultaneously receive the required colorants.
The one (1) gallon shelf is located above the five (5) gallon shelf and flips down to provide a solid stainless steel work surface for processing up to three one (1) gallon containers. When this shelf is flipped up, the shelf becomes flush to the cabinet front surface. When placed in the appropriate dispense position on this shelf, with the can lid removed, a one (1) gallon can will maintain precise alignment to simultaneously receive the required colorants.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide an apparatus for connecting a support shelf to a work surface that maintains space efficiency.
The present invention also incorporates a flush mounted access panel cover located between the one (1) gallon shelf and the cabinet mounted discharge nozzle module. This front access panel may be removed to access the entirely self-contained electronics bay.
The flush mounted electronics bay is a steel fabrication that houses all of the electronic components that provide signals and power to each internal module. This includes a compactly designed printed circuit board rack with individual printed circuit cards controlling internal processing, power management and digital switching functions. This electronics bay also houses up to sixteen stepper motor controller cards that individually control each stepper-motor driven pump module.
The electronics bay has also been designed to fully comply with all applicable emission regulation and safety compliance guidelines and to provide the required airflow ventilation needed to maintain the appropriate electrical component environment. The electronics bay access cover is secured with six hex flathead fasteners.
The present invention also incorporates heavy-duty swivel casters at each corner of the modular automatic colorant dispenser cabinet for easy positioning. Two heavy-duty levelers are provided, one at each side near the front edge of the modular cabinet to maintain maximum stability of the modular automatic colorant dispenser after proper positioning has taken place.
The present invention incorporates the stepper-motor driven pump modules, the colorant conditioning canister modules, the solenoid valve array module and discharge nozzle module into a compact, space saving 24″×48″ footprint that weighs approximately half of all prior art systems. Each individual sub-system module can be easily accessed for inspection or replacement with ultimate simplicity.
The present invention incorporates a low-profile computer tray that glides from left to right over each of the upper cabinet top panels. The computer tray is fabricated from lightweight aluminum and contains eight (8) miniature rollers that allow effortless movement of the personal computer (PC), monitor, keyboard, mouse and other peripherals. A rear mounted tethered cable limits the overall travel of the computer tray. The tray provides full access to either of the two top panels for colorant refilling procedures but does not use valuable space inside the modular automatic dispenser cabinet.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a cabinet for a modular automatic dispenser that is space and weight efficient.
The operating sequence for this system occurs as follows. The external PC communicates to the internal digital controller via standard RS-232C communications protocol and instructs the automatic colorant dispenser as to which colorants and in what amounts are to be delivered for each dispensing cycle. When the container is placed in the appropriate position on the appropriate shelf, the operator presses the dispense button on the keyboard. The digital controller activates each of the required colorant circuit valves and each of the required stepper-driven colorant pumps to simultaneously dispense all colorants into the container. Depending on the specific formula and container size, new FlowMaster pumps accurately and repeatabily dispense formulas in as little as five seconds up. The tinted container is then removed from the shelf, re-sealed or re-capped and then thoroughly mixed.
Colorants are automatically recirculated throughout each colorant canister circuit by programming into the pc, a specific amount of appropriate recirculation. The pump modules are gravity fed colorant from each canister module and if a specific colorant has not been chosen for a considerable amount of time, the pump module will activate and pump the respective colorant through the pump, up to the respective solenoid valve, and back to the upper return fitting of each canister.
For normal periods of inactivity, each colorant canister will engage the agitator drive that is built into each canister. The agitator drive provides a gentle six (6) rpm stirring motion to the colorant and the specially designed ladder fins rotationally raise the heavier materials, which want to settle to the bottom of the canister. This gentle motion is also programmably controlled. For extended periods of inactivity, a discharge nozzle cover or cap is provided to seal off air from each individual colorant circuit in the discharge nozzle module.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide an automatic colorant dispenser that efficiently operates all sub-systems using low voltage D.C. power components for maximum energy efficiency.
These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the appended claims and accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the modular automatic colorant dispenser according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the colorant pump used in the modular automatic colorant dispenser shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the twin impellers located inside the pump module.
FIG. 4 is a cut away view of the pump module, as it would appear inside the cabinet.
FIG. 5 is an inside view of the arrangement of the pump modules inside the cabinet.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the discharge nozzle module used in the modular automatic colorant dispenser of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a cut away view of the discharge nozzle module tube arrangement used in the modular automatic colorant dispenser of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is an elevated view of the preferred embodiment of the modular cabinet, with a cut away view of the inside of the cabinet.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the locking latch mechanism used in the retractable, flush mounted, pull-up production shelf.
Referring first to FIG. 1, a schematic of the present invention is shown. For illustration purposes only, FIG. 1 represents a schematic of one component of the modular automatic colorant dispenser 10, equipped with only one pump module 12. However, in the preferred embodiment, and other embodiments, the modular automatic colorant dispenser system 10 is configured with multiple pump modules 12. Therefore, FIG. 1 serves only for illustration and explanation purposes.
The modular automatic colorant dispenser system 10 in FIG. 1 is one pump module 12. The pump module is driven by a stepper motor 14. The stepper motor is positioned directly above the pump module 12 by a bracket 16 and is directly coupled to the pump body 18 by a zero backlash shaft coupling 20. The rotational accuracy of the stepper motor 14 allows the pump module 12 to precisely meter on the order of {fraction (1/512)} of an ounce. The pump module 12 pumps average viscosity colorant at approximate rates up to 40 ounces per minute.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross section of the pump module 12 is shown. The pump body 18 includes twin impellers 22. Twin impellers 22 are preferably made from air hardened tool steel that receive an extremely hard, heat treating process. This hardened material process assists the twin impellers 22 in pulverizing any foreign materials passing through the pump chamber 24 with the colorant. Filters or strainers are used in the prior art in order to remove the "bead-milling" spheres used in the milling and blending procedures performed by the colorants manufactures.
Traditional bearing assemblies used in prior art pumps are made of solid bronze in a cylindrical type form having marginally short operational life, especially in hostile and abrasive colorant environments.
In the pump module 12, the precision needle bearings 28 and needle thrust bearings 27 will operate at or less than 170 rpm, ensuring that the needle bearings 28 and needle thrust bearings 27 will far outlast the pump module 12. The twin needle roller bearings, 27 and 28 provide superior shaft positioning accuracy and dramatically reduce the rotational friction and torque requirement over traditional bearing geometries employed in prior art pumps. Needle roller thrust bearings 27 and needle roller bearings 28 remain fully lubricated due to the bearing bore provisions provided in the bearing housing 29. In the preferred embodiment of the pump module 18, fully lubricated needle roller bearing units 27 and 28 will satisfactorily maintain the proper lubrication function when operating at the extremely low rotational requirements of the pump.
To prevent colorant leakage and contamination from entering the bearing housing 29 from the pump chamber 24, a shaft seal 30 is positioned on each shaft between these two pump components. The seal is a cartridge type which is well known in the art. The twin seal cartridges can be easily replaced with standard tools. Each of the two shaft seals 30 are made of Viton and incorporates a miniature spring reinforcing ring that maintains lip sealing geometry.
An inlet fitting 32 is connected to the pump body 18 and the inlet line 34 attaches to the pump module 12. The inlet fitting 32 and the inlet line 34 are preferably oversized to reduce flow restrictions entering the pump module 12.
However, these bead mill spheres and other foreign material present in the colorants when pumped through prior art pumps cause severe damage to internal pump components. Thus, filters and strainers were added in the prior art to remove these harmful particles. However, the filters and strainers soon become clogged, reducing or totally blocking the required flow of colorant, which in turn ultimately destroys the important calibration value. Thus, in the present invention, the twin hardened impellers 22 pulverize all foreign materials, including bead mill particles. The design features of the pump, in the present invention, totally eliminate clogged or restricted colorant flow with absolutely no damage to internal pump components. The twin impeller pump of the present invention delivers extended repeatable calibration stability, significantly extending pump life.
The stepper motor 14 as shown in FIG. 1 is rotationally connected to the bearing shaft 26 with a zero backlash solid shaft coupling 20. The bearing shaft 26 is in turn rotationally connected to the twin impellers 22, allowing the pump module to dispense precise measures of colorant.
The driven bearing shaft 26 and secondary idler shaft include twin needle bearings 28 to maintain precise rotational shaft positioning of both impellers. The driven bearing shaft 26 and secondary idler shaft further include twin needle thrust bearings 27 to maintain precise internal clearances between the twin impellers 22 and the pump body 18 and the lower pump cover plate 19.
Prior art needle bearing units have been shown to operate at 35,000 rpm in aerospace applications and have an extended lifetime compared to traditional bearing assemblies.
Similarly, the outlet fitting 36 is connected to the pump body 18 and the outlet line 38 exits the pump module 12. Both the inlet fitting 32 and the outlet fitting 36 have been designed to provide maximum sealing protection from colorant leakage at the pump body 18.
In the preferred embodiment, the inlet line 34 is made from oversized heavy wall Tygon extruded tubing that allows maximum unrestricted colorant flow using gravity feed into inlet fitting 32 of the pump module 12. High-density, hard walled polyethylene tubing of standard size commonly known and available in the art is used in all other tubing locations of the present invention.
The outlet line 38 is critical to the precise metering and repeatable delivery of colorants in the present invention. When the colorant leaves the pump module 12, the colorant is under significant pressure and therefore, the outlet line must withstand these pressures without deforming. In the present embodiment, the outlet line 38 utilizes this tough, hard walled, high-density polyethylene tubing to prevent any internal deformation or other physical diameter changes in the tube.
Prior art colorant dispensers that do not use this type of hard-walled tubing experience certain cross-sectional tube deformation of the outlet tubes. Maintaining the inside diameter of the tubing is critical in holding the constant calibration value of each colorant pump. Prior art dispensers fail to maintain calibration due to usage of improperly specified tubing.
The present invention does not have a pressure differential rate, therefore, possesses a constant efficient fluidity because of the oversized, unrestricted inlet tubing 34 and the hard-walled, internal diameter maintained outlet tubing 38 pump connections. Therefore the present invention has superior calibration consistency.
Referring next to FIG. 3, the twin impellers 22 are shown engaged inside the pump body 18. The manufacturing tolerances of the twin impellers 22 and the pump body 18 are within +/−0.002 inches and are therefore dimensioned to leave only minimal gaps between the twin impellers 22, the pump body 18 and the pump bottom cover plate 19. Both pump body 18 and pump bottom cover 19 are made of 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy. The internal machined surface clearance dimensions allow the pump body 18 and the pump bottom cover 19 to be processed with an aerospace developed, state-of-the-art, hard coat process that produces a built-up, uniform, hardened surface that provides maximized abrasion resistance against all known abrasive colorants. The process is known as Magnaplate HCR and is provided by General Magnaplate Corporation in Linden, N.J. This tough, durable process dramatically extends the life of the pump module.
Referring next to FIG. 4, the pump module 12 is shown in its preferred embodiment. As depicted here, the pump module 12 is directly connected to the colorant canister 44 by the inlet line 34. The pump module 12 is connected to the remainder of the modular automatic colorant dispenser system by the outlet line 38. The present invention has modular capabilities in part because of the pump module 12.
Building the multiple embodiments of the modular automatic colorant dispenser system entails placing as many pump modules 12 as colorant varieties desired and connecting each pump modules 12 to a respective colorant canister 44.
The pump body 18 and the stepper motor 14 are connected to the bracket 16. When placing the pump module 12 into a modular automatic dispenser cabinet 50 (as shown in FIG. 8), the bracket 16 is attached to the cabinet.
The number of pump modules 12 placed into a cabinet varies according to individual preference, giving the present invention the capability of adapting to various individual and industrial needs. It is this feature of the present invention that makes the automatic colorant dispenser modular in nature.
Referring next to FIG. 5, a multitude of the pump modules 12 are mounted inside the cabinet 50. The pump modules 12 are attached to the bracket 16 (as shown in FIG. 4) and then the bracket 16 (as shown in FIG. 4) is attached to the pad 42. The bracket 16 is then mounted into the cabinet 50 using the pad 42. The pad 42, in the preferred embodiment, is a foam structured, double backed adhesive mounting tape. The pad 42 not only firmly attaches the bracket onto the cabinet 50, but in addition, provides excellent vibration isolation and noise isolation.
The pad 42 creates a ⅛ of an inch gap between the bracket 16 and the cabinet 50, which channels out all of the harmonics. Additionally, the pad 42 allows pump module 12 to operate more accurately. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the bracket 16 is mounted into the cabinet 50 using mechanical fasteners commonly used in the art.
Because each pump module 12 contains its own stepper motor 14, no driving mechanism or roller chain drive network is needed to connect all of the pumps, allowing the inside of the cabinet 50 to remain relatively open. The canisters 44 are suspended entirely from the top mounting surface of the cabinet 50, eliminating the need for canister supports, and this farther opens up the inside of the cabinet 50. The canisters 44 hold the individual colorants and are preferably made of PVC plastic or a similar compatible material. In the preferred embodiment, the canisters 44 have a capacity of 9 quarts.
This is an additional design feature of the invention allowing a standard colorant filling capacity of 8 quarts. With the additional quart of colorant provided to each pump, the system always is primed and ready, without allowing a total depletion of colorant in the pumps. As shown in FIG. 1, the canister 44 supplies colorant to the pump module 12 through the inlet line 34. Flow restriction between the canister 44 and the pump module 12 has been eliminated due to the absence of in-line filters or strainers as in prior art dispensers. As shown in FIG. 2, an oversized inlet fitting 32 and an oversized inlet line 34 have been employed to maintain maximized gravity fed colorant flow.
Referring again to FIG. 1, in practice, the modular automatic colorant dispenser system performs as follows. Each canister 44 includes an agitator 48 to stir the contained colorant. The agitator 48 is driven by an agitator drive module 52 located underneath the canister 44 and is preferably rotationally driven at approximately 6 rpm. The agitator drive module 52, in the preferred embodiment combines a small, low voltage, fractional horsepower synchronous motor with an integral gear reducer combined into a single compact housing that deliver the needed output speed with additional reserve torque for more demanding colorants. The agitator 48 includes multiply placed ladder fins 54.
Each ladder fin 54 serves to break-up potential air-dried colorant that may form a skin at the top surface of the colorant when the agitator drive 52 is activated providing rotation to the agitator 48. The precise angular positioning of each ladder fin 54 on the agitator 48 provides gentle upward guidance of the colorant insuring the proper recombining of settling colorant pigments.
The top section of the agitator 48 in the preferred embodiment provides attached tabs that serve as a can rest. These agitator 48 attachments have been specifically designed to aid in the refilling of colorant by safely suspending an opened quart can of colorant in the inverted, colorant refilling position. By resting an opened can of colorant on the provided can rest attachments 49, all colorant can be efficiently drained from each colorant container, thus maximizing the removal of colorant into each colorant canister 44. In the preferred embodiment, the ladder fins 54 are fabricated of stainless steel, because of the highly corrosive and staining characteristics of the colorants.
Once the colorant travels by gravity feed from the canister 44 via the inlet line 34 and through the pump module 12, the colorant enters the outlet line 36 and travels to the valve 58. The valve is a solenoid operated 3-way valve of spool type design. Using compact modular design, the valves 58 are conveniently mounted in a modular valve rack allowing easy installation and removal of each required valve. Each valve 58 is provided with three quick disconnect fittings, one to connect the outlet line 38, one to connect the return line 60 and one to connect the discharge line 62. Colorant is only dispensed through the solenoid valve to the discharge nozzle 70 when the electrical coil of the valve 58 is energized. The remaining unneeded, metered colorant from outlet line 38 is returned to the canister 44 through return line 60.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the valves 58 provide leak proof sealing for maximized performance under safety compliance guidelines for dispensing the more demanding flammable pumped media such as automotive type acrylic lacquer based finished and other similar coatings product in prior art markets.
Additionally, each of the solenoid valves 58, in the preferred embodiment operate on 24 VDC, each of the stepper motors 14 also operate on 24 VDC and the agitator drive motors 52 each operate on 24 VAC. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a compact power supply has been specifically designed to provide these low voltages requirements. In particular, because of the specific power requirements incorporated in this preferred embodiment, the invention meets or exceeds compliance guidelines set by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) explosion-proof compliance rating.
This multiple output power supply is input switchable to accommodate both 120 VAC, 60 Hz operation (used in North America) and 220 VAC, 50/60 Hz operation (used internationally) input voltages.
FIG. 6 shows to bottom view of the discharge nozzle assembly 70. The discharge housing 72 provides positioning and attachment hole for each of the required discharge tubes 74. As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge nozzle assembly also includes the discharge nozzle cap 76, which acts as a sealing device to prevent premature drying of the colorants held in the tip of each discharge tube 74. The discharge nozzle cap 76 employs twin o-ring grooves which position two Viton o-rings. The o-rings seal against the outside diameter of the discharge housing 72 providing a positive internal sealing area for all of the nozzle discharge tubes with frictional fit to maintain a firm holding capability around the discharge housing 72 outside diameter.
Colorant is dispensed from the discharge nozzle assembly 70 into the waiting container 80, through a stream of colorant 78. The efficient tight geometric grouping arrangement of each required nozzle discharge tube 74 in the nozzle discharge housing insures the safe and complete metered discharge of all required colorants without any cross contamination of colorants.
Referring next to FIG. 7, in alternative embodiments, the nozzle discharge tubes 74 are collectively positioned and fitted into the discharge nozzle housing 72. FIG. 7 demonstrates multiple discharge nozzle tubes 74 affixed to the discharge nozzle housing 72, penetrate the wall of the cabinet. Strong and durable potting epoxy 73 is used to permanently secure each required discharge nozzle tube 74. After all tubes have been inserted and correctly positioned, the epoxy is back filled into the provided epoxy well of the discharge nozzle housing 72. The nozzle discharge tubes 74 are preferably made of stainless steel tubing incorporating a single 90 degree bend to align each nozzle discharge tube with their respective corresponding valve 58 output fitting. A single discharge line 62 is connected between valve 58 and discharge nozzle tube 74, simplifying assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Returning again to FIG. 1, the modular colorant system 10 also includes a compact, built-in electronics bay in the modular automatic colorant dispenser cabinet 50. This bay houses the control and diagnostic module 92. These operating and diagnostic functions are designed into multiple standard euro-card formatted printed circuit boards.
These cards are conveniently mounted into a standard EIS printed circuit board rack with a corresponding back plane board to facilitate all incoming and outgoing electrical system connections.
These cards are of standard formatted size commonly found in the art. One card controls the power distribution for the system, the second card houses the internal computer control processor, and the third and fourth cards provide the collective switching capabilities that drive the individual components that control the power going to each valve and stepper motor controller card.
By removing the six screws that secure the electronics bay front access panel, all printed circuit cards may be easily replaced or swapped in each corresponding track of the card cage. The electronics bay in the modular automatic colorant dispenser cabinet 50 also houses each of the individually required stepper motor drive cards.
By incasing the entire modular electronics sub-system in the single, well shielded, well ventilated electronics bay, the preferred embodiment of the invention fully complies with all applicable FCC compliance guidelines addressing both EMI and RFI issues.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the computer control module 90 includes a processing unit 94 and a display 96. The computer control module 90 provides simple, easy upgrade of the standard PC 94. Calibration and metering values, diagnostic and system data for general operational maintenance may be easily programmed into any future PC upgrade.
FIG. 1 shows only one pump module 12, one canister 44, one valve 58 and one nozzle 74 for the sake of simplicity in the schematic. However, in practice, multiple pump modules 12, multiple canisters 44, multiple valves 58 and multiple nozzle discharge tubes 74 are used, generally one for each desired colorants of that specific colorant system, in the dispenser system.
Each of these is referred to as a colorant circuit configuration. Preferred embodiments of the invention dispense in 10, 12, 14 or 16 colorant circuit configurations, and as such, include 10, 12, 14 or 16 of each of the above elements, respectively. However, in alternate embodiments, the number of colorant circuits can be greater to accommodate color system criteria requiring a greater number of colorants.
Even with a plurality of colorant pumps, each individual pump is driven by its own stepper motor, which is individually controlled by an individual stepper motor driver control card, individually controlled by the system control module. Therefore, there is no need to connect each pump with a roller driven chain drive, which leaves more free space inside the dispenser cabinet.
Additionally, as the canisters are fully suspended from the top mounting surfaces of the cabinet, even more space is available inside the cabinet because there are no lower canister supports. As such, embodiments of the present invention can be compact due to the open architecture of the cabinet. Each individual pump module 12 is driven by a separate stepper motor 14. Each pump module 12 runs only when that specific colorant is needed. This feature is unlike prior arts, where all pumps are connected together by roller drive chain arrangements, requiring all of the pumps to be operated constantly. Therefore the present invention eliminates this requirement, extending the life of each individual pump because each pump module only operates when required to deliver that specific colorant.
Referring next to FIG. 8, the preferred embodiment of the modular automatic dispenser cabinet 50 is shown. The cabinet 50 is preferably made of a metal strong enough after forming to support the multiple canisters 44 filled with colorant and suspended from the top surface of the cabinet.
Additionally, the cabinet is preferably made of a non-corrosive material. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper section of the cabinet is fabricated from stainless steel, which is inherently stain and corrosion resistant, thereby not damaged by the colorants. But, in the alternate embodiments, the cabinet can be constructed of any material known in the art.
The top of the cabinet 50 includes two upper access panels 122. Each upper access panel 122 is approximately one half the width of the cabinet, and thereby, the cabinet 50 is capable of being divided into two halves. The individual right and left upper access panels provide easy access to all of the colorant canisters 44 specifically the canister lids 98. These upper access panels 122 allow fill access to the valve array and discharge nozzle section built into the modular cabinet with a large access panel 120. All solenoid valves 58 in the configured array and discharge nozzle assembly 70 are conveniently positioned under the large centrally located access panel 120. Each of the two upper access panels 122 are equipped with air cushioned closures 124, which prevent the top access panels 122 from crashing down against the cabinet 50. Each half of the cabinet contains one half of the total number of colorant canisters 44. The computer control module 90 (see FIG. 1) is positioned on a compact low profile moveable platform 100. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this computer tray freely rolls with a limited travel from right to left.
The moveable computer tray 100 is smaller in width than either of the two top access panels 122. The moveable computer tray 100 can only travel the safe distance permitted by the small tethered steel cable that attaches at the rear of the moveable computer tray 100 to a central point at the center of the modular cabinet 50.
In the preferred embodiment, the computer control module 90 sits atop the moveable tethered computer tray 100 allowing quick access to either the right or left bank of colorant canisters 44. In prior art dispensers, large cabinet areas have been solely designed to only house the PC computer and monitor thus wasting significant centrally located internal cabinet area as well as waste valuable floor space and overall foot print. The upper access panels 122 provide adequate internal clearance between the inside of the access panels and the top of the colorant canister lids 98.
The canisters 44 are arranged in a hexoidal pattern mirrored on each side of the modular cabinet 50 taking advantage of ergonomic spacing to reduce overall cabinet size. This spacing arrangement allows for a maximum number of colorant canisters 44 to be placed in a minimum amount of space. As shown in FIG. 8, the preferred embodiment of the cabinet 50 provides 16 spaces to accommodate 16 canisters 44.
FIG. 8 shows the modular cabinet 50 fully loaded to its capacity with 8 canisters 44 per each half of the cabinet 50. In practice, where less than 16 canisters have been configured for operation, a blank lid 98 will be placed over the unused blank colorant canister locations. When the canister lid 98 is removed from the canister 44, up to eight quarts of colorant may be poured and emptied into the appropriate canister 44 by resting the opened quart can on the designated attachments of agitator 48 until can is thoroughly emptied out. Like the colorant canisters 44, the canister lids 98 are also made from PVC.
The modular cabinet 50 also includes four lockable access panels 118. These panels allow for targeted and easy access to particular pump modules 12 or the complete access to all other internal cabinet 50 areas. The lockable feature of the four access panels 118 prevents the impermissible tampering or unauthorized access to or adjustment of any interior component systems including the pump modules 12.
The front side 110 of the modular cabinet 50 includes a small cabinet projection 112 where the discharge nozzle assembly 70 is firmly attached to this projection. This small cabinet projection 112 has been designed to occupy an absolute minimum of exterior space, thereby allowing the cabinet to fit into smaller operating areas.
Generally, containers 80 (as shown in FIG. 1) to be tinted with colorants are five (5) gallon containers. The cabinet front 110 of the modular cabinet 50 provides a strong, built-in, pull-up, retractable, five (5) gallon track shelf 114 to accommodate these sized containers 80. The working surface of this track shelf employs a heavily ribbed stainless steel track shelf 114 surface. There are three equally spaced ribs or rails that are formed into the stainless steel shelf surface that run the complete distance of the shelf Having an approximate length of 45 inches, the five (5) gallon track shelf easily accommodates three containers at a time.
The formed stainless steel work surface of the five (5) gallon shelf 114 raise each container up approximately Ľ inch above the shelf surface. Full five (5) gallon containers can weigh from 50 to 60 pounds each and by having that weight distributed on three individual shelf ribs, minimal effort or force is required to slide the canisters in and out of dispensing position and actually maintain that positioning.
Frequently, one (1) gallon and one (1) quart cans serve as the container 80, thus, in alternative embodiments, the container can be any size commonly used in the art. Therefore, to accommodate these smaller container sizes. The cabinet front 110 of the modular cabinet 50 further provides a strong, built-in, retractable one (1) gallon shelf 116. The pull-down shelf 116 is located directly under the cabinet projection 112 and directly above the five (5) gallon track shelf 114. The one (1) gallon pull-down shelf 116 is approximately 24 inches in width and provides a stainless steel work surface. The smaller sized containers are placed on the pull-down shelf 116 to receive dispensed colorant at a reduced distance from the discharge nozzle 70, thus avoiding colorant spatter. When not in use, the one (1) gallon shelf 116 can be easily flipped up to rest flush against the cabinet front 110 of the modular cabinet 50.
Heavy prior art roller conveyors employed at the front of prior art dispensers to easily move processed five gallon containers made the critical 2 inch diameter bung hole alignment in the container 80 virtually impossible. All colorants had to clear the opening in the can top for 100% delivery of all colorant, otherwise the desired formula color could not be attained.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular cabinet 50 has a total weight of approximately 440 pounds. Because of this low weight, the modular cabinet 50 is easier to fabricate, easier to ship, easier to maneuver, and occupies considerably less floor space than other automatic colorant dispensers found in the art. Additionally, because there are many older stores in less populated areas of the country and the world, the floors of these stores can not normally accommodate a very large and heavy automatic colorant dispenser.
Thus, with the present invention, these stores can accommodate the modular automatic colorant dispenser. Also, because of the efficient use of space in the cabinet, the modular automatic colorant dispenser occupies an absolute minimum of space, allowing smaller stores to accommodate the present invention.
Referring next to FIG. 9, the locking mechanism assembly 150 for the retractable, flush mounted, pull-up five (5) gallon production shelf 114 is shown. Although the locking mechanism assembly 150 is shown in its preferred embodiment, as a pull-up production shelf 114 for the modular automatic colorant dispenser cabinet 50, this design could be used in any situation where a shelf is required that is pulled up for active use, and then pushed down to save space when not in use.
The pull-up five (5) gallon production shelf 114 is mounted onto the modular cabinet 50 into a recessed shelf housing 130 on the cabinet front 110. When the pull-up shelf 114 is in the resting position (not shown), the lower pivot arm 132 and the upper pivot arm 134 allow the pull-up shelf 114 to retract into the recessed housing 130 and become flush mounted with the cabinet front 110.
In practice, to transition the pull-up shelf 114 from resting position to active position, the user applies an upward force on the pull-up shelf 114 by pulling upward on the shelf handle 138 until a distinct click is heard and felt. The two large shelf pivots 140 allow the shelf to transition from resting to active position. The upward force in raising the shelf 114 causes a cam-type shape on the end of the lower pivot arm 132 to compress the springs of the spring loaded locking pin 136. The spring force insures positive locking between the upper pivot arm 134 and the lower pivot arm 132.
To transition the pull-up shelf 114 from the active position to the resting position requires a slight upward force of the shelf 114 until a distinct click is heard from the spring loaded detent mechanism, indicating that the shelf may be lowered to its resting position. At a point near the end of the lowering motion, the spring-loaded detent mechanism will reset itself for the next shelf raising motion. Additional strength is provided in the preferred embodiment of the invention by using multiple piece construction or lamination in both the upper pivot arm 134 and the lower pivot arm 132 connection. By utilizing several individual upper and lower pivot arms that are collectively ganged together, the unique spring-loaded mechanism provides maximum strength and durability for many years of faithful service. This design improves upon the basic toggle principle exhibited by prior art mechanisms. In the traditional toggle locking mechanisms, the user would be required be required to release the locking pin manually. However, with the locking exhibited in FIG. 9, using one hand, the user simply pulls the shelf up slightly, then lowers the shelf to the resting position and pulls up on the shelf until it has locked itself into the active position locked position. The unique spring-loaded detent mechanism automatically resets every time the shelf is lowered into the recessed shelf housing 130.
In practice, the modular automatic colorant dispenser system performs as follows. Referring again to FIG. 1, the colorant is stored in the canister 44, and the agitator 48 conditions the colorant. The colorant then passes from the canisters 44 through the inlet line 34. The stepper motor 14 then drives the twin impellers, located inside the pump body 18, to precisely pump and pulverize any particles in the colorant, and then the twin impellers propel the colorant through the pump module 12.
The rotational accuracy of the stepper motor 14 is translated to the pump body 18, providing extremely accurate metering of precise amounts of colorant. The colorant then exits the pump module 12 through the outlet line 38 and on to the valve 58. The valve 58 then distributes the precisely metered colorant through the discharge nozzle assembly 70 to the awaiting container 80, or returns the unused colorant back to the canister 44. Additionally, the modular automatic colorant dispenser system 10 thoroughly reconditions the colorant by programmed intervals. This efficient reconditioning is accomplished whereby the pump re-circulates colorant at programmed intervals through the return line 60 at the valve 58. The purpose of controlled reconditioning of colorants is to insure properly conditioned colorant is always ready to dispense from the modular automatic colorant dispenser system 10. In prior art dispensers, colorants have been damaged from over mixing causing the overheating of the colorants. Manually set timer control methods used in all prior art dispensers can not address the specific needs of each colorant due to their individual specific weights and chemistry.
Still referring to FIG. 1, the computer control module 90 allows a user to preprogram the precise amount of each colorant that will be dispensed into the container 80. Each stepper motor 14 is controlled from the computer control module 90, thereby controlling the precise amounts of colorant to be dispensed. The computer control module 90 allows the user to pre-program each stepper motor to dispense each colorant. Pre-programmed color formulas provide each individual stepper motor the information to produce the desired color formula.
Thousands of industry color system formulations can be stored in the hard drive of the computer control module 90, with virtually immediate access to the chromatic color values for many thousands of custom designed color formulations.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.
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Thread: Sunday a must win in Cleveland?
11-04-2012, 09:10 PM #37Pro Bowl 24x7 Raven
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Lets go back to that night then ...
First paragraph to the story ...
BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers had already accomplished their primary goals in the regular season, so the AFC North champions entered the finale against the Baltimore Ravens with a different objective: Stay healthy.
And I cannot help but notice the list if players out for Pittsburgh was a lot more than you listed ....
Ben, Ward, and Troy were out as well as a hand full of other players.
Like I said, personal opinion does not equal facts.WARNING: This post may contain material offensive to those who lack wit, humor, common sense and/or supporting factual or anecdotal evidence. All statements and assertions contained herein may be subject to literary devices not limited to: irony, metaphor, allusion and dripping sarcasm.
11-04-2012, 09:45 PM #39Pro Bowl 24x7 Raven
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Re: Sunday a must win in Cleveland?
It is my opinion that the Steelers thought they could beat the Ravens with a rookie 3rd string QB even with resting 2-3 of their top players and maybe even move into to the 3 seed with a Charger loss. They got gashed and were exposed to a greater degree by the team that eventually eliminated them in Jacksonville. That was a lesson that Tomlin learned that year and has never repeated. Don't assume a damn thing because in this league nothing's promised.
We can agree to disagree and move on.