SYSTEMS, DEVICES, METHODS FOR DELIVERING HYDROGEL COMPOSITIONS WITH SELF-PURGING TO PREVENT CLOGGING
First Claim
1. A self-purging system for delivering a hydrogel composition formed by mixing first and second liquid components comprising,an applicator sized and configured to mix the first and second liquid components and form the hydrogel composition, the applicator including inlet paths that convey the first and second liquid components subject to a selectively applied application pressure P(A) into an outlet path for mixing and formation of the hydrogel composition for discharge from the outlet path, anda purge assembly comprising a source of liquid flushing agent subject to a substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P) that is maintained at a magnitude that is less than P(A), and a purging path coupling the source to the outlet path to convey liquid flushing agent into the outlet path subject to the substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P), the purge assembly further including a valve assembly communicating with the purging path and the outlet path being operable in response to localized pressure conditions in first and second flow conditions, the first flow condition permitting the flow and mixing of the first and second liquid components but not the liquid flushing agent in the outlet path during the application of P(A), for dispensing the hydrogel composition from the outlet path, the second flow condition permitting the flow of liquid flushing agent but not the first and second liquid components in the outlet path subject to the substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P), for continuously flushing residual hydrogel composition from the outlet path, the valve assembly being automatically placed in the first flow condition in response to localized pressure conditions whenever P(A) is applied, the valve assembly being automatically placed in the second flow condition in response to localized pressure conditions during an interruption of the application of P(A).
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Abstract
A hydrogel composition is formed by conveying separate first and second liquid components subject to a selectively applied application pressure P(A) into an outlet path for mixing and discharge. A liquid flushing agent is automatically conveyed into the outlet path subject to a substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P) when the application of P(A) is interrupted, to continuously flush residual hydrogel composition from the outlet path.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A self-purging system for delivering a hydrogel composition formed by mixing first and second liquid components comprising,
an applicator sized and configured to mix the first and second liquid components and form the hydrogel composition, the applicator including inlet paths that convey the first and second liquid components subject to a selectively applied application pressure P(A) into an outlet path for mixing and formation of the hydrogel composition for discharge from the outlet path, and a purge assembly comprising a source of liquid flushing agent subject to a substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P) that is maintained at a magnitude that is less than P(A), and a purging path coupling the source to the outlet path to convey liquid flushing agent into the outlet path subject to the substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P), the purge assembly further including a valve assembly communicating with the purging path and the outlet path being operable in response to localized pressure conditions in first and second flow conditions, the first flow condition permitting the flow and mixing of the first and second liquid components but not the liquid flushing agent in the outlet path during the application of P(A), for dispensing the hydrogel composition from the outlet path, the second flow condition permitting the flow of liquid flushing agent but not the first and second liquid components in the outlet path subject to the substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P), for continuously flushing residual hydrogel composition from the outlet path, the valve assembly being automatically placed in the first flow condition in response to localized pressure conditions whenever P(A) is applied, the valve assembly being automatically placed in the second flow condition in response to localized pressure conditions during an interruption of the application of P(A).
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9. A method for delivering a hydrogel composition comprising,
forming the hydrogel composition by conveying separate first and second liquid components subject to a selectively applied application pressure P(A) into an outlet path for mixing, discharging the hydrogel composition from the outlet path by the application of the pressure P(A), and coupling to the outlet path a source of liquid flushing agent subject to a substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P) that is maintained at a magnitude that is less than P(A), establishing, in response to localized pressure conditions when P(A) is applied, a first flow condition permitting the flow and mixing of the first and second liquid components in the outlet path, while simultaneously blocking the flow of liquid flushing agent in the outlet path, for dispensing the hydrogel composition from the outlet path, and establishing, in response to localized pressure conditions when the application of P(A) is interrupted, a second flow condition permitting the flow of liquid flushing agent in the outlet path subject to the substantially constantly applied purge pressure P(P), while simultaneously blocking the flow of first and second liquid components into the outlet path, to continuously flush residual hydrogel composition from the outlet path during an interruption of P(A).
Specification