Agitating canister for viscous fluids dispensed from multiple fluid dispensers

Abstract

An improved canister assembly for a multi-fluid dispenser is shown and described. The canister assembly comprises an annular outer shell with an outer cylindrical wall connected to a bottom which, in turn, is connected to an inner cylindrical wall that serves as a standpipe. The bottom includes an outlet connected to a pump A hollow agitator shaft slides over the inner standpipe and includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades for stirring or 'agitating' the fluid. An annular screen element is disposed below the bottom end of the agitator shaft. Beneath the annular screen element is a lower agitator blade element The lower blade element and the lower end of the agitator shaft are snap-fitted together with the annular screen element sandwiched therebetween. The screen element includes a cylindrical shell with the annular screen disposed upwards from the lower end of the cylindrical shell so that the screen is spaced above the bottom wall and to make room for the lower blade element. Blades disposed on the lower end of the agitator shaft scrape or brush a top surface of the annular screen and the blades of the lower blade element scrape or brush a bottom surface of the annular screen. Sufficient space is provided between annular screen and the bottom outlet to prevent clogging. A deflector cap is provided for a top end of the hollow agitator shaft to prevent spillage of fluid material through the agitator shaft when the canister is refilled. The deflector cap can also be snap-fitted to the agitator shaft. A centralizer is also provided for holding the agitator shaft in place during refilling of the canister.