APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING FOAMED MATERIALS
First Claim
1. A method for producing a foamed material from a gas, a catalyst-containing component, and a crosslinker-containing component, the method comprising:
- mixing the catalyst-containing component and the crosslinker-containing component to form a mixture;
mechanically injecting the gas into the mixture;
mixing the injected gas with the mixture; and
dispensing the mixture as the foamed material.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for producing a foamed material. Pressurized gas is introduced into a multiple-component mixture that contains a catalyst-containing component and a crosslinker-containing component. The multiple-component mixture may be directly mixed and combined with the gas in a mixing device. Alternatively, the multiple-component mixture may be combined in a first mixing device and this mixture may be subsequently combined with the gas in a second mixing device. When dispensed onto an application target, the gas entrained in the multiple-component mixture expands to form the foamed material.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for producing a foamed material from a gas, a catalyst-containing component, and a crosslinker-containing component, the method comprising:
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mixing the catalyst-containing component and the crosslinker-containing component to form a mixture; mechanically injecting the gas into the mixture; mixing the injected gas with the mixture; and dispensing the mixture as the foamed material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for producing a foamed material from first and second fluid components and a gas, the apparatus comprising:
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a mixing device having a mixing chamber, a first inlet communicating with said mixing chamber, a second inlet communicating with said mixing chamber, a gas port communicating with said mixing chamber, and a mixing element inside said mixing chamber, said first and second inlets configured for respectively admitting the first and second fluid components into said mixing chamber; and a gas flow control valve coupled to said gas port and configured for introducing the gas through said gas port into said mixing chamber, wherein said mixing element is configured to mix the first and second fluid components with the gas inside said mixing chamber to form a mixture that, when dispensed, produces the foamed material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for producing a foamed material from first and second fluid components and a gas, the apparatus comprising:
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a first mixing device having a first mixing chamber and a first mixing element inside said first mixing chamber, said first mixing element configured to mix the first and second fluid components; a second mixing device having a second mixing chamber coupled in fluid communication with said first mixing device for receiving the first and second fluid components from said first mixing device, a second mixing element inside said second mixing chamber, and a port providing access into said mixing chamber; and a gas flow control valve coupled with said port and configured for introducing the gas into the first and second fluid components in said second mixing chamber, wherein said second mixing element is configured to mix the first and second fluid components with the gas inside said second mixing chamber to form a mixture that, when dispensed, produces the foamed material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification