Dispensing Nozzle Humidity Control to Prevent Fluid Exsiccation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing machines for fluid products, such as dyes and paints, face issues with exsiccation at delivery nozzles during inactivity, leading to incorrect measurements and the introduction of coagulated particles, especially with high-boiling solvent-free dyes and high-pigment concentrations, which previous solutions like autocaps and continuous humidified gas systems either fail to prevent or exacerbate.
Innovation Solution
A device generating a flow of air mixed with steam and/or solvent, directed orthogonally towards the delivery nozzles, with sensors to detect and control humidity and temperature, creating a humid air cushion that maintains optimal conditions and prevents dew-point issues, ensuring the fluid products remain fluid for extended periods without excessive saturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a continuous flow of humidified gas is introduced into a zone surrounding the delivery nozzles, then exsiccation of fluid products is prevented, but excessive concentration of liquid occurs with consequent saturation and possible dripping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of the gas flow by controlling temperature and humidity levels dynamically. The system adjusts these parameters to maintain optimal conditions that prevent exsiccation without causing over-humidification and liquid saturation, resolving the contradiction between protection and excessive fluidization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback control through sensors that monitor the humidity and temperature in the zone surrounding the delivery nozzles. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the humidified gas flow dynamically, preventing both exsiccation and excessive liquid concentration by responding to real-time conditions.
2Productivity
If delivery nozzles are exposed to atmosphere during normal working, then fluid products can be delivered, but fluid products dry out during exposure periods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a specialized micro-environment only in the zone surrounding the delivery nozzles. This localized controlled atmosphere with specific temperature and humidity conditions protects the fluid products at the nozzle tips without affecting the overall dispensing operation or requiring protection of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by establishing the controlled atmosphere conditions before exsiccation can occur. The humidified gas flow is continuously maintained in the nozzle zone, proactively preventing drying out before it happens during exposure periods, rather than reacting after damage occurs.
3Quantity of substance
If high concentration of pigments is used in fluid products, then competition requirements are met, but exsiccation occurs more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention compensates for the reduced exsiccation resistance of high-concentration pigment formulations by dynamically adjusting the temperature and humidity parameters in the nozzle zone. This allows the system to maintain optimal conditions that counteract the faster drying tendency inherent in concentrated pigment suspensions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively prevents exsiccation of fluid products by maintaining a controlled humid atmosphere around the nozzles, ensuring precise and efficient delivery, even during extended inactivity, without the risks of excessive fluidization or dew-point issues, thus enhancing the operational reliability of dispensing machines.
Implementation Method 1
a flow of air mixed with steam and/or with at least a solvent... to prevent the exsiccation of fluid products
Implementation Method 2
detection means, arranged in proximity with the delivery head and able to detect one or more significant parameters of the aforesaid determinate atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
regulation means able to regulate one or more characteristics of the aforesaid flow of air mixed with steam and/or with at least a solvent, according to the values detected by the detection means
Data Source
AI summary
A device to prevent the exsiccation of fluid products in a delivery head of a dispensing machine for said fluid products. The device comprises a first element able to generate a flow of air mixed with steam or with at least a solvent, and a second element able to convey the flow towards a zone underneath the delivery nozzles of the delivery head and to create in said zone a determinate atmosphere, different from the atmosphere in the environment where the dispensing machine is to be found during use. The device also comprises detection elements arranged in proximity with the delivery head and able to detect one or more significant parameters of said determinate atmosphere, and a regulation circuit able to regulate one or more characteristics of said flow according to the values detected by the detection elements in order to maintain the significant parameters of the determinate atmosphere within a set of pre-determined values.