US1564799A - Dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 8, 1925 1,564,799 7 R. A. THORNTON DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Septl5. 1924 Fig.1

4a lnvenTor.

Roy A. Thor rflon Patented Dec; 8, 19Z5.'

UNITED STATES.

ROY A. THORNTON, OF NORTH WEYMOUTH, IIASSACHUSETTSL DISPENSING APPARATUS.

Application filed September 13, 1924. Serial No. 737,551.

To all whom, itmay concern:

Be it known that I, ROY A. THORNTO a citizen of the United States, residing at North lVeymouth county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have .invented an Improvement in Dispensing Apparatus of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus which is specially designed for dispensing semi-solid material such for instance as gear grease that is used in the lubrication of automobiles and-other machinery.

The device comprises a container for containing the material to be dispensed. a delivery pipe through which the material is delivered, a pump or feed mechanism by which the material is forced through the delivery pipe and means for maintaining at all times a quantity of the non-fluid semi-solid material at the pump inlet so that the pump will at all times be operative.

In the dispensing of semi-solid material which will not flow it is, of course, important that the material should be constantly fed to-tho inlet of the pump or other forcing mechanism for if this is not done the pump will feed the material directlyadjacent the inlet and will then simply run idle or possibly suck air.

My invention provides means, preferably associated with the pump, which operates to feed the material to the pump inlet and to maintain the supply at this point so that the pump will at all times function properly.

In order to give an understanding of the invention I have illustrated in the drawings a selected embodiment thereof which will now be described after which the novel features will .be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a. vertical sectional view of an apparatus embodying my invention:

Fig. 2 is a section on the line'22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the lower end of the device taken at right angles to Fig. 1;

Fig. at is a section through the pump on substantially the line 44, Fig. 1.

1 indicates a container adapted to contain gear grease or other semi-solid material. This container is shown as mounted on wheels 2 so that it can be readily moved from place to place, this being a convenient tion where the grease is to be delivered.

Thisnozzle 4 is shown as being controlled by a valve or stop cock 5,

Situated within the container is a forcing device adapted to force the material through the delivery pipe. This forcing dc vice is herein illustrated as in the form of a gear pump, althoughany desirable forcing device may be used.

This gear pump is of the. ordinary type and comprises a casing 6 having an inlet 7 and an outlet 8 which is connected to the delivery pipe 3 by means of a. pipe connection 9. Situated within the casing are intermeshing elements 10 and 11. During the rotation of the gear elements in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 4-the space between the teeth becomes filled with the material and is carried around from the inlet port to the delivery port whence it is forced through the delivery pipe 3 all as usual in pumps of this character.

One of the gear elements (the gear element 11 in this construction) is fast on a drive shaft 12 which extends vertically through the container to the upper side thereof and the upper end of which is journalled in a spider or support 13. For-operating the shaft 12 I have shown a crank shaft 14, which is also geared to the shaft 12 by bevelled gears 15. said crank shaft having a crank handle 16 thereon by which it may be turned. The crank shaft 14- is shown as journalled in bearings 1.? carried by the bracket or support 13.

In dispensing semi-solid material. such as gear grease. it is necessary to provide means for maintaining a supply of the material at the pump inlet 7 because otherwise thepump would operate until the material in the im-- mediate vicinity of the inlet 7 was delivered and then would either become bound or would simply suck air.

In order to keep a supply of this semisolid material at the pump inlet I have pro vided'herein means associated with the pump which stirs or agitates the 'material in thel. general vicinity of the inlet port and in such 2. 'In a device of the class a way. as to maintain a supply at the pump. In the construction herein shown this is done by means of a blade 18"which is fast on the shaft and is situated directly above the pump casing. The blade is inclined as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 so that as it'is rotated through the mass of material it tends to force the: latter downwardly. Situated adjacent the inlet 7iis a stationary inclined wardly to the pump inlet 7 The cooperation of these-,two blades or plates 18 and 19' serves to maintain a proper supply or quantity of the semi-solid material at the pump inlet so that the latter will function properly and will not 'become'bound.

' When'the material being dispensed is in the nature of gear grease the blade 18 has the further effect of softening and increasing the fluidity of the material. It is well ,lmown that when grease, such as gear grease or cup grease, is stirred its fluid qualities are increased and the blade 18 thus not only helps to feed the material tothe pump inlet 7 but-also renders the material adjacent the pump more'fluid so that the feeding operation is facilitated.

WVhile I have, illustrated herein a selected embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be li'mited shown. I

I claim: I I v r) 1. In a dispensing apparatus for dis' pensing semi-solid material, the combina-' tion' with a container, of a. delivery pipe through which the material is dispensed, a gear pump inthe container for feeding ma-v terial to the delivery pipe, said pump having an inlet adjacent the bottom of the container, a deflector plate secured to the bottom adjacent said inlet, and a rotatable blade movable in a plane immediately above the. deflector plate, said rotatable bladehaving its front face inclined in a direction to force material downwardly toward the deflector plate, and the deflector plate being inclined to the constructional features in the opposite direction and functioning with the movable blade to maintain a supply ,of material at the pump inlet.

described, the combination with a container, of a delivery pipe leading therefrom, a gear pump in the container for feeding material to the delivery pipe, a shaft for operating the gear pump, said. pump having an inlet adjacent the bottom of the container, a blade mounted on said shaft and rotating in a plane directly above the inlet, and a stationary deflector plate secured to the bottom of the container adjacent said inlet, and inclining upwardly from the bottom in a direction opposite to.

that in which the blade is moving as it passes over said plate, said blade and plate functioning to inaintain a supply of material at the pump inlet.

. 3. In a device of the'class described, the

combination with'a container, of a'delivery pipe leading therefrom, a gear pump in the container for feeding material to the delivery pipe, said pump haying an inlet, a deflector plate stationarily supported adjacent said inlet and a movable blade co-operating 1 with said plate to maintain a supply-of material at the pump inlet.

4. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a container, of a delivery ery pipe, said pump having an inlet, a shaft Q by which the pump is operated, a deflector plate stationarily .mounted adjacent the pump inlet, and a blade fast on said shaft and co-operating with said deflector plate" to maintain a supply of material at the pump inlet. 1

5. In a device'ofthe class described, the combination with'a container, of a delivery pipe leading therefrom, a gear pump in thecontainer for feeding material to the delivery pipe, said pump having an inlet adjacent the bottom of the container, a blade movable in a plane directly above the inlet anda stationarily mounted deflector plateat the side of the inlet, saiddeflector plate inclining upwardly from the bottom of the container in a direction opposite to that in which the blade moves, whereby'a supply of 1 material is maintainedat the inlet.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

' nova. THORNTON.

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