Dispensing apparatus, movable member, circulation control method
A dispensing apparatus includes: a storage unit including a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path; and a movable member including a first part, and a second part. The first part and the second part are formed in a long shape, and the second part is formed such that a cross-section crossing the longitudinal direction is smaller than that of the first part.
1 . A dispensing apparatus comprising:
a first storage unit including a first flow path that is capable of circulating a material, a second flow path that crosses the first flow path, wherein the first flow path leads to the second flow path, and a third flow path that is provided parallel to the first flow path, wherein the second flow path leads to the third flow path, and the third flow path is parallelly apart from the first flow path;
a movable member disposed so as to be movable in the second flow path, the movable member including right and left first parts and a second part, the second part being disposed between the right and left first parts, the movable member being movable such that the left first part is capable of disconnecting the second flow path and the third flow path, the second part being provided continuously with the right and left first parts, and the movable member being movable such that the second part is capable of connecting the first flow path and the second flow path and connecting the second flow path and the third flow path;
a connection member connectable to the movable member;
a second storage unit that is installed adjacent to the first storage unit, and includes a first space in which the connection member moves in a state in which the connection member is connected to the movable member; and
a first seal member that is installed outside of the second flow path, and seals so as to separate the second flow path and the first space by touching the left first part in the state in which the connection member is connected to the movable member, wherein
the first flow path is connected to the second flow path via a first opening,
the second flow path is connected to the third flow path via a second opening,
the right and left first parts and the second part are formed in a long shape,
the second part is formed such that the second part is smaller than each of the left and right first parts in a cross section along a longitudinal plane crossing through the second part and each of the right and left first parts,
the first seal member includes a portion with a cross-section formed in a bent shape, and
the dispensing apparatus further comprises a second seal member that is disposed in a wall of the second flow path to abut on an outer surface of the left first part when the left first part closes the second opening in the second flow path, and the second seal member does not abut on the outer surface of the left first part when the left first part opens the second opening in the second flow path.
2 . The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member moves along the longitudinal direction of the movable member.
3 . The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second part is formed in a rod shape or a cylindrical shape.
4 . The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a third storage unit that is installed adjacent to the first storage unit, and includes a fourth flow path provided upstream of the first flow path; and
a plunger that is installed so as to be movable in a reciprocating manner in the fourth flow path, and is capable of pushing the material stored in the fourth flow path toward the first flow path with a reciprocating movement.
5 . The dispensing apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a fourth storage unit that is installed adjacent to the third storage unit, and includes a fifth flow path provided upstream of the fourth flow path;
a needle valve installed so as to be movable in a reciprocating manner in the fifth flow path; and
a valve seat that is installed upstream of the needle valve in the fifth flow path, and blocks circulation of the material in the fifth flow path by making contact with the needle valve.
6 . The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second opening is located between the first seal member and the second seal member.