System and method for dispensing a gel
AssigneeABITEC Corporation
InventorsDouglas J. Woollard, John H. Sharrock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Application of a release agent onto the interior surfaces of a commercial bakery trough is accomplished by a system for dispensing a gel having two spray head assemblies. While the trough is stationary, each head in turn descends into the trough and propels the release agent onto a portion of the interior surfaces including side walls, an end wall, and the bottom wall of the trough. Each head includes a disc that spins to distribute the release agent. An edge on the disc defines a predetermined spray pattern. Waste of release agent due to overspray is minimized by controlling a release agent valve in the head, controlling disc rotation, and monitoring position of the head in the trough.
Claims48
A system for dispensing a gel, the system having an input for receiving the gel, the system comprising:
- a. a distributor comprising:
- (1) a hub having an axis of rotation;
- and
- (2) a surface that turns with the hub and that extends away from the axis toward an edge of the surface, the surface comprising an opening for passage of the gel through the surface;
- and
- b. a motor, coupled to the hub, that spins the distributor on the axis, thereby dispensing the gel in a first pattern off the edge and in a second pattern through the opening.
A method of applying a gel in an interior of a vessel, the vessel having an opening, the method comprising in sequence:
- providing a head and a positioning system, the positioning system for relative positioning of the head and the vessel, wherein the head receives gel from a supply the head comprising:
- (1) a distributor having a thickness, having a hole through the thickness, and having an edge;
- (2) a motor that spins the distributor;
- and
- (3) a valve in series with the supply, wherein the valve regulates delivery of the gel onto the distributor;
- providing gel to pass through the hole when the distributor spins, to cooperate with the edge, and to broadcast droplets of gel off the edge;
- when the motor is spinning the distributor, opening the valve to initiate delivery of the gel onto the distributor, to form inside the vessel:
- a first spray pattern off the edge and a second spray pattern through the hole;
- changing the relative position of the head and the vessel to relocate inside the vessel the first spray pattern and the second spray pattern;
- closing the valve while the distributor continues spinning;
- and
- decreasing distributor spin to eliminate overspray.
A system for dispensing a gel onto a provided vessel, the system having an input for receiving the gel, the system comprising:
- a. a head comprising:
- (1) a distributor comprising:
- (a) a hub having an axis of rotation;
- and
- (b) a surface that turns with the hub and that extends away from the axis toward an edge of the surface, the surface comprising an opening for passage of the gel through the surface;
- (2) a motor, coupled to the hub, that spins the distributor on the axis, thereby dispensing the gel in a first pattern off the edge and in a second pattern through the opening;
- and
- b. a positioning system that establishes a position of the head with respect to the vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.