Method and apparatus for dispensing fluid dots

Abstract

A fluid dispensing station includes a pneumatic clamp for easy and secure mating and un-mating of a supply syringe to the dispensing nozzle from which dots of fluid are selectively dispensed according to displacement of a plunger of the syringe. A syringe cover seals the distal end of the syringe during mating and provides access of pressurized air to the sealed syringe in order to displace the plunger. The piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder protrudes through the cover and into the syringe and serves as a follower which is maintained in engagement with, and follows the displacement of, the syringe plunger. The follower may be used to supplement the primary plunger displacement force, which is supplied by the pressurized air applied to the clamped and sealed syringe via the cover, by applying air at the same or a different pressure to the piston of the follower cylinder. The follower also can be used in indicating a low level state of the adhesive to an attendant.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.