Fluid applicator apparatus

Claim 2

Fluid applicator apparatus having, in combination, a source of pressurized fluid, a distribution member provided with inlet and outlet means and intermediate-valving means movable between two positions to open and block fluid communication between the inlet and outlet means, respectively, means for connecting the source of fluid with the inlet means to supply fluid to the distribution member, nozzle means connected with the outlet means to eject fluid from the distribution member when the intermediate means is in a position permitting fluid communication of the inlet and outlet means, the nozzle means having a longitudinal flow section and a direction-changing expansion chamber connected thereto for laterally expanding the fluid flow and aperture means for directing the laterally expanded fluid as a substantially uniform flow.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 an in which said aperture means comprises a wall spaced laterally from said expansion chamber to define the aperture therebetween and directing the expanded fluid outward therethrough.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and in which the direction change effected by the expansion chamber is substantially orthogonal to the direction of said longitudinal flow, the expansion comprisinG lateral expansion in a direction substantially orthogonal to both the longitudinal flow and the first-named substantially orthogonal direction, and the direction of aperture-means fluid directing is substantially parallel to the direction of said longitudinal flow.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 an in which means is provided for varying the space defined by the said aperture means to control at least one of the fluid volume flow and the fluid velocity as ejected.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and in which there is further provided sheet means adjacent the nozzle means for receiving the ejected fluid, and moving means for presenting successive portions of the sheet means to the nozzle aperture means at a predetermined rate.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 and in which means responsive to said moving means is provided for controlling the volume of ejected fluid in accordance with the said rate.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 and in which means responsive to said moving means is provided for controlling the said valving means in accordance with said rate.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 and in which means is provided for intermittently operating said valving means between its said two positions.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 and in which means responsive to said moving means is provided for controlling the fluid ejection velocity from the said aperture means in accordance with said rate.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 and in which means responsive to said moving means is provided for varying a dimension of said aperture means in accordance with said rate.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which means is provided for intermittently operating said valving means between its said two positions.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which said connecting means comprises an inlet line from the source to the said inlet means and a bypass return line to the source, and restriction means is disposed in said return line substantially to match the pressure that exists between the source and the nozzle means when fluid is ejected therefrom, during periods of no ejection

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 and in which means is provided for varying the said restrictions means.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 and in which means is provided for controlling said restriction varying means in accordance with means for varying said nozzle aperture means.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which said nozzle means comprises a plurality of different nozzles carried by a head, movable to permit successive connection with said distribution member. 16, Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 and in which said nozzles are of different dimensions to provide corresponding variation in the output flow therefrom.

Claim 17

Fluid applicator apparatus having, in combination, a source of pressurized fluid, a distribution member provided with inlet and outlet means, means for connecting the source of fluid with the inlet means to supply fluid to the distribution member, nozzle means connected with the outlet means and having aperture means to eject fluid from the distribution member, moving means for presenting successive portions of a sheet means to the nozzle means at a predetermined rate, and means responsive to said moving means for controlling the velocity of the ejected fluid in accordance with said rate.

Claim 18

Fluid applicator apparatus having, in combination, a source of pressurized fluid, a distribution member provided with inlet and outlet means, means for connecting the source of fluid with the inlet means to supply fluid to the distribution member, nozzle means connected with the outlet means and having aperture means to eject fluid from the distribution member, moving means for presenting successive portions of a sheet means to the nozzle means at a predetermined rate, and means responsive to said moving means for controlling the velocity of the ejected fluid in accordance with said rate.

Claim 19

Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 an in which said velocity controlling means comprises means for varying the nozzle aperture means.

Claim 20

Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 and in which means is provided for intermittently interrupting the communication between the distribution member inlet and outlet means to provide intermittent fluid applications to the sheet means through the nozzle aperture means.

Claim 21

Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 and in which means is provided for controlling said communication interrupting means in accordance with said rate.

Claim 22

Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 and In which said connecting means comprising an inlet line from the source to the said inlet means and a bypass return line to the source, and restriction means is disposed in said return line substantially to match the pressure between the source and the nozzle means when fluid is ejected therefrom during periods of no ejection.

Claim 23

Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 and in which means is provided for varying the said restriction means.

Claim 24

Fluid applicator apparatus having, in combination, a source of pressurized fluid, a distribution member provided with inlet and outlet means and intermediate-valving means movable between two positions to open and block fluid communication between the inlet and outlet means, respectively, means for connecting the source of fluid with the inlet means to supply fluid to the distribution member, nozzle means connected with the outlet means to eject fluid from the distribution member when the intermediate means is in a position permitting fluid communication of the inlet and outlet means, means for moving said valving means between its said two positions for intermittent periods, said connecting means comprising an inlet line from the source to said inlet means and a bypass return line to the source, and restriction means disposed in said return line substantially to match the pressure that exists between the source and the nozzle means when fluid is ejected therefrom, during the intermittent periods of no ejection.

Claim 25

Fluid applicator apparatus having, in combination, a source of pressurized fluid, a distribution member provided with inlet and outlet means and intermediate-valving means movable between two positions to open and block fluid communication between the inlet and outlet means, respectively, means for connecting the source of fluid with the inlet means to supply fluid to the distribution member, nozzle means connected with the outlet means to eject fluid from the distribution member when the intermediate means is in a position permitting fluid communication of the inlet and outlet means, means for moving said valving means between its said two positions for intermittent periods, said connecting means comprising an inlet line from the source to said inlet means and a bypass return line to the source, and restriction means disposed in said return line substantially to match the pressure that exists between the source and the nozzle means when fluid is ejected therefrom, during the intermittent periods of no ejection.