System for dispensing fluid product

Abstract

The subject invention is a system for dispensing a controlled amount of fluid product from a dispensing container which includes a pneumatically driven dispensing actuator. This actuator includes a dispensing cylinder and a movable dispensing piston. The dispensing piston is movable under pneumatic pressure within the cylinder, the cylinder including a volume of hydraulic fluid under the pneumatic pressure acting against the dispensing piston to selectively prevent movement of the dispensing piston. The invention further includes a means for selectively reducing the volume of the hydraulic fluid in the dispensing cylinder to allow the controlled movement of the dispensing piston. The controlled movement of the dispensing piston causes controlled displacement of the fluid product from the dispensing container. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a force may be generated and applied to a plunger, which can be accurately controlled. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the force results in movement of the plunger, which, in turn, translates into an accurate amount of fluid product being dispensed from the dispensing container.