Dispensing units for controlling substance flow and related methods

A dispensing unit for controlling flow of a substance, the dispensing unit comprising:

• a nozzle, comprising a channel that comprises:
• a first portion, comprising:
• a symmetry axis;
• a sealing surface that is cylindrical;
• an internal tapered surface;
• and
• an alcove surface between the sealing surface and the internal tapered surface, and wherein the alcove surface is contiguous with the sealing surface and is recessed relative to the sealing surface and the internal tapered surface;
• and
• a second portion, communicatively coupled with the first portion and comprising an outlet that is offset relative to the symmetry axis of the first portion of the channel;
• a sleeve, having a first end and a second end, located opposite the first end, and wherein the sleeve is movable relative to the nozzle;
• and
• a plug, fixed to the second end of the sleeve, the plug comprising:
• a wall that comprises an outer surface;
• and
• a first aperture, penetrating the wall through the outer surface, and wherein:
• the outer surface of the wall is complementary with the sealing surface of the first portion of the channel,
• the plug is movable in the first portion of the channel,
• the plug is positionable by the sleeve along the channel such that the sealing surface of the first portion of the channel prevents the substance from flowing through the first aperture of the plug,
• the plug is positionable by the sleeve along the channel such that the sealing surface of the first portion of the channel prevents the substance from flowing through a portion of the first aperture in the wall of the plug, and
• the plug is positionable by the sleeve along the channel such that the sealing surface of the first portion of the channel does not prevent the substance from flowing through the first aperture in the wall of the plug.

A dispensing unit for controlling flow of a substance, the dispensing unit comprising:

• a nozzle, comprising a channel that comprises:
• a first portion, comprising:
• a symmetry axis;
• a sealing surface;
• and
• an alcove surface, contiguous with the sealing surface and recessed relative thereto;
• and
• a second portion, communicatively coupled with the first portion and comprising an outlet that is offset relative to the symmetry axis of the first portion of the channel;
• a plug, comprising:
• a wall that comprises an outer surface;
• and
• a first aperture, penetrating the wall through the outer surface, and wherein:
• the outer surface of the wall is complementary with the sealing surface of the first portion of the channel, and
• the plug is movable in the first portion of the channel;
• a sleeve;
• a first flange;
• a first actuator;
• and
• a spindle that comprises a second flange, a collar, and a third flange, and wherein:
• the second flange is spaced from the first flange,
• the collar is positioned between the second flange and the third flange,
• the sleeve is fixed to the plug,
• the first flange is fixed to the sleeve,
• the first actuator comprises a body and a lead screw, extending from the body and threadably engaging the first flange;
• and
• the body of the first actuator is fixed to the second flange.

A method of applying a substance to an object through a nozzle, having a channel, the method comprising at least one of:

• positioning a plug, comprising a wall, along a first portion of the channel to engage at least a portion of an outer surface of the wall of plug with a portion of a sealing surface of the first portion of the channel such that the substance is prevented from flowing through a first aperture that penetrates the wall of the plug through the outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the wall of the plug is complementary with the sealing surface of the first portion of the channel of the nozzle, wherein the first portion of the channel comprises an alcove surface, contiguous with the sealing surface and recessed relative thereto, and wherein the nozzle further comprises a temperature sensor, received within a second aperture that penetrates the alcove surface of the first portion of the channel;
• positioning the plug along the first portion of the channel to disengage a portion of the outer surface of the wall of the plug from the sealing surface of the first portion of the channel such that the substance flows through at least a portion of the first aperture of the plug;
• or
• moving an outlet of a second portion of the channel of the nozzle relative to the object at least by rotating the outlet about a symmetry axis of the first portion of the channel, wherein the second portion of the channel is communicatively coupled with the first portion of the channel.