Replaceable fluid dye applicator for inert-blanketed regions

Abstract

A fluid nozzle assembly is disclosed for dispensing liquid dye onto an underlying fabric in a substantially closed structure provided with an inert gas atmosphere. The assembly includes an elongated rotatable housing provided along its length with a relatively narrow opening or slot. An elongated manifold, provided with a plurality of laterally spaced dispensing nozzles, is concentrically mounted within the housing so that the nozzles are aligned with the slot. The housing and manifold are rotatable from a first operative position where the nozzles are in communication with the interior of the structure, to a second inoperative position where the nozzles are substantially isolated from the interior of the structure so that the nozzles may be removed for maintenance, cleaning or replacement without significant loss of inert gas from the interior of the structure. In an alternative embodiment, a fixed, cylindrical housing is mounted exteriorly and concentrically with respect to the rotatable housing and, when the rotatable housing is rotated to an inoperative position, the manifold may be slidably removed through an end wall of the fixed housing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.