Cartridge dispenser

A cartridge dispenser, comprising:

• an actuator;
• a cartridge carrier configured to house a removable cartridge having a pre-proportioned amount of flowable material therein;
• a dispenser head mounted to said cartridge carrier, said dispenser head having an outlet port for dispensing the flowable material;
• a pressure sensor configured to generate data indicative of the level of pressure of the flowable material at the outlet port;
• a controller configured to receive said pressure data and to receive data relating to the flow rate of the flowable material and to use said pressure data and said flow rate data to diagnose performance characteristics of said cartridge dispenser.

A cartridge dispenser, comprising:

• an actuator;
• a cartridge carrier configured to house a removable cartridge having a pre-proportioned amount of flowable material therein;
• a dispenser head mounted to said cartridge carrier, said dispenser head having an outlet port;
• a cartridge piston responsive to said actuator and configured to protrude into the cartridge to apply pressure to the flowable material and force an amount of flowable material from said cartridge through said outlet port of said dispenser head;
• and
• at least a first pinch valve and a resilient tube carried within said dispenser head, said resilient tube providing a flow path generally between said cartridge and said outlet port, said first pinch valve configured to move between first and second positions, wherein the resilient tube is open to allow flow of the flowable material through the resilient tube and past the first pinch valve when the first pinch valve is in the first position, and the resilient tube is pinched off to prevent flow of the flowable material to the outlet port when the first pinch valve is in the second position.

A method of operating a cartridge dispenser including cartridge having a pre-proportioned amount of flowable material therein, a dispenser head mounted to the cartridge carrier and having an outlet port, a cartridge piston configured to protrude into the cartridge, and at least a first pinch valve and a resilient tube carried within the dispenser head, the resilient tube providing a flow path generally between the cartridge and the outlet port, and the method comprising:

• placing the first pinch valve in a first position to form a flow path within the resilient tube past the first pinch valve;
• moving the cartridge piston into the cartridge to apply pressure to the flowable material and thereby move the flowable material through the cartridge and through the resilient tube past the first pinch valve;
• and
• moving the first pinch valve to a second position to pinch off the resilient tube and stop the flow of flowable material past the first pinch valve.