Dispenser for viscous fluids

An apparatus for dispensing a viscous fluid, such as plastisol ink, from a generally cylindrical container containing such fluid, said apparatus comprising:

• a frame including a base for supporting the container, and a platform, generally vertically separated from said base, for supporting a plunger mechanism;
• the plunger mechanism including a plunger and a drive mechanism for advancing said plunger towards said container and for impinging on said fluid;
• said plunger being adapted to sealingly engage the interior wall of said container;
• and,
• said plunger including an exit port there-through for allowing ejection of said fluid from said container as said plunger is advanced into the container;
• wherein said drive mechanism includes one or more advancing arms each having first and second ends, said first ends being attached to said plunger and said second ends being attached to an advancing mechanism and wherein said advancing mechanism includes:
• a threaded screw rod, secured in a generally vertical position to said frame and being rotatable about its central axis;
• a nut having a correspondingly threaded aperture for engaging said screw rod and being capable of traversing along the length of said screw rod as said screw rod is rotated;
• said nut being attached to said second ends of said advancing arms;
• and a motor for rotating said screw rod;
• whereby as said screw rod is rotated by said motor, said nut is raised or lowered.

An apparatus for dispensing a viscous fluid, such as a plastisol ink, from a generally cylindrical container containing such fluid, said apparatus comprising:

• a frame means for supporting said container;
• a plunger means, supported on said frame means, for applying pressure to said fluid in said container for forcing said fluid out of said container and through a port in said plunger means;
• and
• a drive means, supported on said frame means, for advancing said plunger means, said drive means being controlled by a microprocessor.