Patent attributes
A follower plate and an apparatus that uses the follower plate to force a viscous material to flow from a storage container. The follower plate includes a cylindrical outer body, a sealing element, and a material saving insert in which a plurality of ribs forms annular concentric slots having a length (L) that runs from the outer edge of the insert to an inner hub. Each slot further exhibits a width (w) that remains substantially the same along its length (L). Each slot further comprises a depth that is variable and tapers along its length (L), such that the depth of the slot approximate to the outer edge (do) is less than the depth of the slot approximate to the inner hub (di). The width and depth of the slots are configured so that any viscous material that has not been dispensed from the storage container resides within the slots.
