Method and apparatus for controlling opening and closing speed of dispensing gun valve mechanism

Abstract

Dispensing apparatus including a dispensing gun having a gun body and a valve mechanism disposed in the gun body. The valve mechanism is operatively coupled to a piston mounted for reciprocating movement and the valve mechanism is operable between opened and closed positions for selectively dispensing liquid from the dispensing gun. A hydraulic actuator is operatively coupled to the piston for moving the piston by way of an output of hydraulic pressure. A flow control device is operatively coupled to the hydraulic actuator for regulating liquid flow from the hydraulic actuator and thereby controlling at least one of the opening speed and closing speed of the valve mechanism. A method of dispensing liquid in accordance with the disclosure includes holding a supply of pressurized liquid in a liquid passage of the dispensing gun, moving the piston under the force of hydraulic pressure to move the valve mechanism from the closed position to the opened position, and dispensing pressurized liquid from the gun.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.