Patent Application
20150041556
The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus for blending and dispensing materials, and methods related thereto.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Spray guns are available for dispensing various compounds. In some cases, the compounds are formed from components mixed within the spray guns.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus for blending materials and dispensing the blended materials. In one example embodiment, such an apparatus generally includes a tip for dispensing the blended materials from the apparatus, an intake unit having a mixing tube defining a channel for transporting a material to the tip for blending with another material, and a seal coupled to the mixing tube and configured to wrap around a portion of the tip to thereby seal the channel of the mixing tube against the tip.
In another example embodiment, an apparatus for blending materials and dispensing the blended materials generally includes a housing, a tip moveably coupled to the housing for dispensing blended materials from the apparatus, and first and second intake units supported by the body and arranged in a generally Y-configuration. The first intake unit has a mixing tube defining a channel for transporting a first material to the tip, and the second intake unit has a mixing tube defining a channel for transporting a second material to the tip for blending with the first material.
Example embodiments of the present disclosure also generally relate to methods for using an apparatus configured for blending materials and dispensing the blended materials. In one example embodiment, such a method generally includes directing pressurized air through a solvent cartridge, coupled to the apparatus, to thereby move solvent from the solvent cartridge to a tip of the apparatus.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus and methods for blending and dispensing materials (e.g., chemicals, resins, polymers, hardeners (e.g., isocyanate, etc.), epoxies, ceramics, urethanes, polyureas, polyaspartics, foams, etc. for use in producing coatings, foam, etc.). Plural component chemical blending typically requires equipment that increases temperatures, and pressures of the materials being blended. However, equipment currently available tends to jam, seize up, during operation (e.g., due to cross contamination of materials, thermal expansion of materials within the apparatus, etc.). With that said, the inventor hereof has found that minimizing twists and turns of the materials moving through the apparatus, utilizing chemical purge flushes, and increasing mix ratio turbulence and accuracies of materials moving through the apparatus can help inhibit such seizure, jamming, etc.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the apparatus and methods provide for blending (e.g., combining, mixing, etc.) materials received from two different starting locations (e.g., plural components, etc.), and then dispensing the combined materials. The materials can include any desired materials within the scope of the present disclosure, for example, resins, hardeners, etc. that, when blended, initiate a reaction that causes the blended materials to generally harden, cure, etc.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the apparatus are configured for use with off-ratio blends of materials.
As coatings exit the apparatus, fast curing chemicals at high velocities create a stalactite like shape. These unwanted shapes eventually either plug up the tip of the apparatus as they increase in size, or they change the spray pattern from an oval pattern to an arched partial pattern. Thus, in some aspects of the present disclosure, cleaning of residue portions of the materials from the apparatus (e.g., to help insure that materials are not cross contaminating in the apparatus, to help insure that the apparatus (e.g., material flow channels, etc.) is lubricated effectively, etc.). Such cleaning features make use of air operations, mechanical operations, and chemical (e.g., solvent, etc.) operations. In some aspects, these features operate independent of each other; and in other aspects, these features work together in combination. For example, in one example embodiment, when a user releases a trigger of an apparatus and the spray tip is pointing down with respect to gravity, solvent is dispensed into the apparatus. Then when the user points the apparatus up, air is dispensed into the apparatus. These motions are coupled with a delayed mechanical strike to dislodge any residue in the apparatus. In this example embodiment, these three cleaning techniques used together help inhibit material cross contamination and clogging of the apparatus.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, valve assemblies are provided that can be easily uncoupled from the apparatus between uses. For example, typically, the startup/shutdown phase of processing materials requires hoses to be circulated back to the source tank, container, etc. in order to heat and mix the materials. The quick disconnect shape/configuration of the valve assemblies of the apparatus of the present disclosure can provide an improved way to make these coupling events occur more easily. Features are provided in the apparatus to help seal off critical components resulting in fewer failures when the spray apparatus is not being used.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the apparatus can be either (or both) human hand held (e.g., manually used, etc.) or used in connection with automated operations (e.g., coupled to an end of a robot arm, used in motion defined automation systems, etc.).
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the apparatus are designed to be light weight to thereby naturally benefit manual use by reducing repetitive arm, wrist, and finger fatigue. For example, components of the apparatus can be constructed from lightweight materials, as desired (e.g., ceramics, glass filled nylon, plastics, aluminum, stainless steel, combinations thereof, etc.).
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the apparatus are configured for use with air pressures of about 120 pounds per square inch, and with material pressures of between about 500 pounds per square inch and about 5,000 pounds per square inch. However, higher or lower pressures may be used within the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, features of the apparatus are provide with generally radial designs. In some aspects of the present disclosure, features of the apparatus are provided with generally loose tolerances. In some aspects of the present disclosure, features of the apparatus are formed from thermally insulating materials that help inhibit the apparatus from overheating during use.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The apparatus 100 of this embodiment is configured for receiving two different starting materials into the apparatus 100, mixing the materials, and then dispensing the mixture as desired. The starting materials can include any desired materials within the scope of the present disclosure. As an example, the starting materials may include resins and hardeners that, when mixed (e.g., within the apparatus 100, etc.) initiate an exothermic reaction that causes the mixture to generally harden, cure, etc. when dispensed from the apparatus 100 (e.g., within a short time after initiation of the exothermic reaction, etc.).
As shown in
The frame 102 of the apparatus 100 includes a central tube portion 108 and a pair of intake units 110 provided along opposing sides of the central tube portion 108. The intake units 110 are configured to receive and transport desired materials (e.g., consumable components, etc.) to be blended and dispensed through the apparatus 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the intake units 110 are arranged in a generally Y-shaped configuration (e.g., oriented at an angle (e.g., about thirty degrees, etc.) relative to a centerline of the body 103 of the apparatus 100, oriented in a wish-bone configuration, etc.) (see also
The valve assemblies 106 are coupled to respective ones of the intake units 110. Each of the valve assemblies 106 operates to couple the materials, to the apparatus 100, that are to be blended and dispensed from the apparatus 100. For example, hoses extending from containers (e.g., pressurized containers, containers holding materials at pressures ranging from about 500 pounds per square inch and about 5,000 pounds per square inch, containers holding materials at other pressures, etc.) holding the materials can be coupled (e.g., via wrenches, other tools, etc.) to connectors 112 (e.g., steel swivel connectors, high-pressure connectors, etc.) of the valve assemblies 106 so that the materials can thereby be transported to the apparatus 100 (see also
With additional reference to
A dispensing tip 116 (e.g., a mixing chamber, etc.) extends through a forward portion of the body 103 of the apparatus 100 for dispensing the materials from the apparatus 100 (arrows F in
With additional reference to
With reference now to
In
Also in
In the illustrated embodiment, seals 778 are provided around forward end portions of the mixing tubes 777, generally between the mixing tubes 777 and the tip 116 of the apparatus 100. Keyed connections are provided between the seals 778 and the mixing tubes 777. A first set of openings 784 are provided through the seals 778 to allow for movement of the materials through the seals 778 when the tip 116 is in the refracted position. And, a second set of openings 783 are provided through the seals 778 to allow for movement of solvent through the seals 778 when the tip 116 is in the extended position.
The seals 778 help hold pressure of the materials within the pathways 417 and inhibit unwanted leakage of the materials. The seals 778 are configured to generally wrap around at least part of the tip 116 of the apparatus 100 (see also
With reference to
The striker pin 361 is configured to help remove residue materials from the mixing chamber 358 of the tip 116 of the apparatus 100. To accomplish this, the striker pin 361 is moveable relative to the tip 116 of the apparatus 100. For example, a stream of compressed air (e.g., exhaust air from the handle 104, etc.) is delivered to the pressure block 412 (via fitting 284 and tubing 124) which in turn moves the striker pin 361 forward such that the forward end portion of the striker pin 361 moves into (and through) the mixing chamber 358 to thereby push out any residue material. After this operation, the stream of compressed air is then ceased, and the striker pin 361 retracts out of the mixing chamber 358 of the tip 116 (e.g., via spring 362, etc.).
With additional reference to
As also shown in
An example operation for cleaning the apparatus 100 is described next. Following operation of the apparatus 100 to dispense mixed materials, a cleaning operation starts when the trigger 278 is released. The air valve assembly 543 changes direction and sends air to the shaft 359 of the central tube portion 108 of the body 103 and then on to the solvent cartridge 692. The tip 116 of the apparatus 100 moves forward, and pressurized air initially travels through the solvent dispensing unit 118 and to the tip 116 (the pressurized air passes over the solvent in the cartridge 692). The apparatus 100 is then pointed generally down so that solvent is dispensed into the tip 116 via the pressurized air passing through the solvent cartridge 692. At the same time, air is delayed (via an accumulator in the handle 104) by a few seconds and sent to the striker pin 361 to provide a mechanical strike by the striker pin 361. This air, solvent, and mechanical striking cycle keeps the mixing chamber 358 of the tip 116 clean, lubricated and free of cured materials. When the trigger 278 is actuated again, pressurized air flows to the shaft 359 of the central tube portion 108 of the body 103 to move the tip 116 rearward (so that the materials can again be blended and dispensed).
Another example operation for cleaning the apparatus 100 is described next. Following operation of the apparatus 100 to dispense mixed materials, a cleaning operation starts when the trigger 278 is released. The apparatus 100 is then pointed generally down. The air valve assembly 543 changes direction and sends air to the shaft 359 of the central tube portion 108 of the body 103 and then on to the solvent cartridge 692. The tip 116 of the apparatus 100 moves forward, and pressurized air initially travels through the solvent dispensing unit 118 so that solvent is dispensed into the tip 116 via the pressurized air passing through the solvent cartridge 692. The apparatus 100 is then rotated upright, and pressurized air then passes to the tip 116 (the pressurized air passes over the solvent in the cartridge 692). At the same time, air is delayed (via an accumulator in the handle 104) by a few seconds and sent to the striker pin 361 to provide a mechanical strike by the striker pin 361. This air, solvent, and mechanical striking cycle keeps the mixing chamber 358 of the tip 116 clean, lubricated and free of cured materials. When the trigger 278 is actuated again, pressurized air flows to the shaft 359 of the central tube portion 108 of the body 103 to move the tip 116 rearward (so that the materials can again be blended and dispensed).
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/811,110, filed on Apr. 11, 2013. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61811110 | Apr 2013 | US |
