Manifold for liquid dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A manifold for use in conjunction with fluid actuable liquid dispensing apparatus is disclosed for supporting and interconnecting such apparatus, especially where numerous individual liquid dispensers are employed, for example for lubricating various points in a system. The manifold allows individual dispensers, or sets of dispensers, to be disabled, for example for repair purposes, while others may continue to operate. Several such manifolds would typically be employed in a lubricating system with each comprising a block having a plurality of separated passageways therein, including at least one actuating fluid passageway with an inlet for connection to an actuating fluid source, and an outlet for connection to the liquid dispensing device, and at least a second passageway for the liquid to be dispensed, again having an inlet for connection to a liquid source, and an outlet for connection to the liquid dispensing device. An elongated generally cylindrical manually operable valve is disposed in the block for selectively opening and closing at least one, and preferably both, of the passageways, to enable or disable the particular dispensing devices associated with that manifold block. Each manifold block is typically configured as a rectangular parallelepiped, with the inlets communicating with a first face thereof, and the dispensing device outlets communicating with a second adjacent face thereof. A third face parallel to the first face includes outlets allowing juxtaposition of several blocks with alignment of the same named inlets and outlets in parallel faces supplying liquid and air to the several blocks from a common source.