An apparatus for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rotary actuator, a reservoir, containing a hydraulic fluid, a piston, movable inside the reservoir, a linear actuator, coupled to the piston, a gear train, coupling the rotary actuator with the linear actuator, and a flowable-material dispenser, hydraulically coupled with the reservoir.

An apparatus and method for application of a line of resin along a crease line of a garment as means of increasing the life of the crease line. The apparatus in one embodiment allows a simultaneous application of lines of resin along respective crease lines of one or more garments to provide an increase in productivity. The apparatus and method allows the operation of a source of a pressurised fluid source used in dispensing of the resin from one or more cartridges held on mounting means to be achieved by an operator's hand which, at the same time, is used to hold gripping means on the mounting means to move the cartridges and mounting means with respect to the crease line to apply the resin.

An apparatus and method for application of a line of resin along a crease line of a garment as means of increasing the life of the crease line. The apparatus in one embodiment allows a simultaneous application of lines of resin along respective crease lines of one or more garments to provide an increase in productivity. The apparatus and method allows the operation of a source of a pressurised fluid source used in dispensing of the resin from one or more cartridges held on mounting means to be achieved by an operator's hand which, at the same time, is used to hold gripping means on the mounting means to move the cartridges and mounting means with respect to the crease line to apply the resin.

A method of applying a viscous material to a fastener comprises aligning a nozzle relative to the fastener by engaging an aligner with the fastener. Engaging the aligner with the fastener comprises positioning the aligner over the fastener and advancing a biasing tube toward the fastener to establish contact between the aligner and a structure to partially retract the aligner into the biasing tube until a plurality of surfaces of the aligner contacts one or more outer surfaces of the fastener. A flexible wall of a dispenser bellows is deflected by expanding a pressure-application device, which is configured to apply pressure on the flexible wall of the dispenser bellows, wherein the dispenser bellows is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The viscous material is expelled from the dispenser bellows responsive to deforming the flexible wall.

A method of applying a viscous material to a fastener comprises aligning a nozzle relative to the fastener by engaging an aligner with the fastener. Engaging the aligner with the fastener comprises positioning the aligner over the fastener and advancing a biasing tube toward the fastener to establish contact between the aligner and a structure to partially retract the aligner into the biasing tube until a plurality of surfaces of the aligner contacts one or more outer surfaces of the fastener. A flexible wall of a dispenser bellows is deflected by expanding a pressure-application device, which is configured to apply pressure on the flexible wall of the dispenser bellows, wherein the dispenser bellows is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The viscous material is expelled from the dispenser bellows responsive to deforming the flexible wall.

One general aspect includes a liquid dispenser with a mount having a mount aperture. A liquid flow path assembly is removably secured to the mount and has an inlet configured to receive liquid, an outlet configured to dispense liquid and a passageway fluidly coupling the inlet to the outlet. A third aperture apart from the inlet and the outlet is fluidly coupled to the passageway and forming a valve guide. The liquid flow path assembly is disposed on the mount to align the third aperture with the mount aperture. An elongated valve has a valve stem guided by the valve guide and extends through the third aperture and the mount aperture. A latch assembly secures the liquid flow path assembly to the mount.

One general aspect includes a liquid dispenser with a mount having a mount aperture. A liquid flow path assembly is removably secured to the mount and has an inlet configured to receive liquid, an outlet configured to dispense liquid and a passageway fluidly coupling the inlet to the outlet. A third aperture apart from the inlet and the outlet is fluidly coupled to the passageway and forming a valve guide. The liquid flow path assembly is disposed on the mount to align the third aperture with the mount aperture. An elongated valve has a valve stem guided by the valve guide and extends through the third aperture and the mount aperture. A latch assembly secures the liquid flow path assembly to the mount.

A dispensing apparatus having various features is described. The dispensing apparatus can receive a cartridge having a movable plunger configured to direct the fluid through a dispensing valve. The plunger can be movable under a force applied by air pressure. The cartridge can be inserted in the dispensing apparatus using a clamping and sealing mechanism and can be released using a cartridge ejector. The dispensing apparatus can include a ball valve having a ball defining an internal passageway that selectively aligns with a second internal passageway outside of the ball, a brush mounted via an elongating mechanism, and/or a gear train transmitting power from the elongating mechanism.

A dispensing apparatus having various features is described. The dispensing apparatus can receive a cartridge having a movable plunger configured to direct the fluid through a dispensing valve. The plunger can be movable under a force applied by air pressure. The cartridge can be inserted in the dispensing apparatus using a clamping and sealing mechanism and can be released using a cartridge ejector. The dispensing apparatus can include a ball valve having a ball defining an internal passageway that selectively aligns with a second internal passageway outside of the ball, a brush mounted via an elongating mechanism, and/or a gear train transmitting power from the elongating mechanism.

An applicator for introducing a fluid to a plant includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected to one another at one end. The other ends are spaced apart to receive the plant therein when the applicator is in a rest position and are driven together upon pivoting of the arms to place the applicator in an application position. A fluid injector is mounted on the first arm and includes an injector body and a diaphragm defining a plurality of channels. The diaphragm includes a pliable dome defining a reservoir to receive the fluid and a plurality of applicator nodes. A respective applicator node is positioned near a terminus of each channel. A driving member engages the pliable dome when the applicator is pivoted to the application position. The pliable dome is then compressed by the driving member to direct the fluid through the plurality of channels.