MIXING AND DISPENSING CURABLE MULTI-COMPONENT MATERIALS
First Claim
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1. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
- providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet;
feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet;
feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 40;
1 or higher, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or higher, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 1;
1 or higher;
mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and
dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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Abstract
Methods, apparatus, devices and systems for mixing and dispensing multi-component materials. The mixing and dispensing may be performed using a mobile, enclosed dispenser that can be used to supply a mixed multi-component material at the point of use. In some embodiments, the components to be mixed into the multi-component material may be supplied in cartridges.
106 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 40;
1 or higher, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or higher, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 1;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 5;
1 or less, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or less, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 10;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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19. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 5;
1 or less, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps to about 200,000 cps, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 4;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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20. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 5;
1 or less, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 200,000 cps or higher, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 2;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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21. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 5;
1 to about 10;
1, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or less, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 5;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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22. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 5;
1 to about 10;
1, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or higher, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 2;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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23. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 10;
1 to about 20;
1, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or less, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 3;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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24. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 10;
1 to about 20;
1, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps to about 200,000 cps, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 2;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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25. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 10;
1 to about 20;
1, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or higher, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 2;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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26. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 10;
1 to about 20;
1, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 200,000 cps or higher, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 1.5;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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27. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 20;
1 or higher, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or less, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 2;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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28. A method for mixing curable multi-component materials, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile dispenser comprising a first container containing a volume of a first component, a second container containing a volume of a second component, the mobile dispenser further comprising a mixing device that comprises a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet; feeding the first component from the first container to the mixing chamber through the first inlet; feeding the second component from the second container to the mixing chamber through the second inlet, wherein the volumetric ratio of the first component to the second component (or vice versa) in the mixing chamber is about 20;
1 or higher, and wherein the viscosity of the first component in the mixing chamber is about 10,000 cps or higher, and further wherein the ratio of the first component viscosity to the second component viscosity is about 1;
1 or higher;mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing chamber during the feeding to form a first curable multi-component material; and dispensing the first curable multi-component material comprising the first component and the second component from the mixing chamber outlet.
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29. A cartridge apparatus for use in a mobile mixing dispenser, the cartridge apparatus comprising:
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a cartridge housing comprising a first cavity located within a housing and a second cavity located within the housing, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity extend from a base of the cartridge housing towards a dispensing end distal from the base; a first container located within the first cavity, the first container containing a first component of a curable multi-component material; a second container located within the second cavity, the second container containing a second component of the curable multi-component material; a mixer drive passageway defining a drive axis; and a rotatable drive shaft located within the mixer drive passageway. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A cartridge apparatus for use in a mobile mixing dispenser, the cartridge apparatus comprising:
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a cartridge housing comprising a first cavity located within a housing, the first cavity comprising a first cross-sectional area transverse to a first axis that extends along a length of the first cavity, wherein the cartridge housing further comprises a second cavity located within the housing, the second cavity comprising a second cross-sectional area transverse to a second axis that extends along a length of the second cavity; a spacer sized to fit within the second cavity of the cartridge housing, wherein the spacer defines a spacer cross-sectional area that occupies 1% or more of the second cross-sectional area, and wherein the spacer defines an open cross-sectional area within the second cavity; a first container located within the first cavity, the first container containing a first component of a curable multi-component material; and a second container located within the open cross-sectional area of the of the second cavity, the second container containing a second component of the curable multi-component material. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A multi-component package for delivering two or more component materials to a mixing and dispensing device, the package comprising:
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a collapsible first container defining a first axis, wherein a first component is sealed within the first container; a collapsible second container defining a second axis, wherein a second component is sealed within the second container; a cap assembly attached to the first container and the second container, wherein the cap assembly comprises; a first cap attached to a first end of the first container, wherein the first cap defines a flow path through which the first component exits the first container and passes through the first cap; a second cap attached to the first end of the second container, wherein the second cap defines a flow path through which the second component exits the second container and passes through the second cap; and a mechanically interlocking connection between the first cap and the second cap connecting the first cap to the second cap. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47)
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50. A multi-component material dispenser comprising:
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a frame comprising a housing enclosure and an optional handle projecting from the housing enclosure, wherein the housing enclosure comprises a front end and a rear end, with a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end of the housing enclosure; a cartridge chamber located proximate the front end of the housing enclosure; a cartridge located in the cartridge chamber, wherein the cartridge comprises; a first cavity located within a housing, the first cavity comprising a first volume that defines a first axis; a second cavity located within the housing, the second cavity comprising a second volume that defines a second axis; a mixer drive passageway located between the first cavity and the second cavity, the mixer drive passageway defining a drive axis; first and second plungers operatively connected to the drive shaft, wherein rotation of the drive shaft advances the first plunger along the longitudinal axis through the first cavity and the second plunger along the longitudinal axis through the second cavity; a dynamic mixer optionally attached to the front end of the housing enclosure, the dynamic mixer comprising a first inlet in fluid communication with the first cavity and a second inlet in fluid communication with the second cavity, the dynamic mixer further comprising an outlet through which material exits the dynamic mixer after mixing; wherein the dispenser is mobile, hand-held and adapted to deliver mixed multi-component materials through the outlet of the dynamic mixer. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
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53. A multi-component material dispenser comprising:
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a frame comprising a housing enclosure and an optional handle projecting from the housing enclosure, wherein the housing enclosure comprises a front end and a rear end, with a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end of the housing enclosure; a cartridge chamber located proximate the front end of the housing enclosure; a plunger chamber comprising a plunger piston located therein, the plunger chamber adapted to receive compressed air from a compressed air source connected to the dispenser; first and second plungers operatively connected to the plunger piston, wherein movement of the plunger piston towards the front end of the housing enclosure advances the first plunger along the longitudinal axis through the first cavity and the second plunger along the longitudinal axis through the second cavity; an air motor operatively attached to the dispenser, the air motor adapted to receive compressed air from the compressed air source; and a dynamic mixer attached to the front end of the housing enclosure, wherein the dynamic mixer is operatively attached to the air motor through a mixer drive shaft, the dynamic mixer comprising a first inlet in fluid communication with the first cavity and a second inlet in fluid communication with the second cavity, the dynamic mixer further comprising an outlet through which material exits the dynamic mixer after mixing, and wherein the dispenser is mobile, hand-held and adapted to deliver mixed multi-component material continuously through the outlet of the dynamic mixer. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56)
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59. A curable multi-component material comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of unsaturated polyester resin and a catalyst, wherein the mixture optionally includes hollow elements and/or styrene, wherein the volume of air not encapsulated by the hollow elements within the body repair material is 5% or less of the volume of the curable multi-component material.
Specification