Day tank doser

Abstract

An apparatus for dosing a liquid in manufacturing paper products, the apparatus comprising: a mixed fluid conduit carrying a mixed fluid to be directed to an application station, at least a portion of the mixed fluid being a starch material from a starch material source; a starch material source feeding starch within a starch material supply line to the mixed fluid conduit; a resin source feeding resin within a resin supply line to the mixed fluid conduit; and, a mixing section of the mixed fluid conduit dispersing the resin throughout the starch material. The apparatus may also include: a tank for receiving the mixed fluid; a supply conduit for delivering the mixed fluid to an application station; and, a return conduit for delivering the mixed fluid back to the tank from the application station.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus utilized in dosing a reactive agent to an existing raw material or raw material consisting of a composition of materials. More particularly, the invention relates to dosing a specific amount of resin to a starch-based raw material so as to produce a limited amount of an adhesive considered water resistant or waterproof upon curing and without hindering the potable life of the starch-based raw material within a starch-based raw material source.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Corrugated Kraft paper is widely used for packing and transporting of goods. It is relatively cheap and relatively strong. If corrugated paper is not strong enough, the corrugating machines are designed so that an extra layer of corrugated paper can be added to make a desired strength. Likewise, corrugated paper can be made from recycled paper and requires relatively less complex machinery to manufacture. For these reasons, most major cities have factories that produce locally needed corrugated paper.

[0006] Corrugated paper is made by the process of gluing a smooth sheet of Kraft paper to a central core strip of Kraft paper, which central core strip of Kraft paper is sine wave-shaped. Commonly, a second smooth sheet of Kraft paper is glued to the other side of the wavy core. The generic glue universally used is one of various types of starches, a number of differently formulated starch glues are known in the patent prior art.

[0007] Starch adhesives have many advantages. They are non-toxic, inexpensive and water-soluble. However, a need exists for the corrugated board, when used to make boxes, to be water resistant or waterproof. The practice of adding resin to the starch (at the starch mixer) to waterproof all the starch to be used in the plant is the standard practice of the industry.

[0008] Starch (without resin) has a pot life (normal length of usable time) of 60 hours when stored in the starch plant holding tanks. This holding time allows for the plant to use starch made on Friday PM at startup on Monday AM without undermining the integrity of the starch. If resin is added to the starch, its pot life is reduced to 20 hours without bonding problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is directed to dosing a limited amount of reactive agent to a raw material so as to produce a limited amount of end material without necessitating the waste of raw material having a potable life beyond that of the end material.

[0010] The present invention provides the use of a container to hold approximately 50 gallons (or some other relatively small amount) of a starch-resin mixture and to allow the starch-resin mixture to be delivered to a corrugator therefrom. This container, with electronic controls and equipment may generally referred to as a “doser”, and may be located nearby the corrugator. As the corrugator is running and is using starch-resin mixture to bond Kraft paper for board, the doser is mixing the starch-resin mixture in a small amount and filtering the coagulated material resulting from the corrugation process.

[0011] The piping of the starch-resin lines are modified so as to allow a return line coming from the corrugator starch-resin pan and ending at the doser; thereby preventing the starch-resin mixture from being returned to the starch plant holding tank and contaminating the existing starch. As the starch-resin mixture level drops in the doser, (due to the starch-resin mixture being applied and coagulated at the corrugator) the controls of the doser direct more starch-resin mixture from the mixing area to refill the doser.

[0012] Pumps are used to pump the mixture of starch and resin from the doser to the corrugator pan and from the corrugator pan back to the doser. The location of the doser near the corrugator has an additional benefit in the bonding process. In prior art methods, the starch from the pan is pumped back to the starch plant holding tank which can be a distance over one hundred feet, to the tank and back again. Therefore, by using the doser of the present invention, the starch-resin mixture is pumped over a relatively short distance and not sheared by pumps to the degree of prior art methods, resulting in more consistent bonding qualities.

[0013] It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide an apparatus for dosing a liquid in manufacturing paper products, the apparatus comprising: a mixed fluid conduit carrying a mixed fluid to be directed to an application station, at least a portion of the mixed fluid being a starch material from a starch material source; a starch material source feeding starch within a starch material supply line to the mixed fluid conduit; a resin source feeding resin within a resin supply line to the mixed fluid conduit, and; a mixing section of the mixed fluid conduit dispersing the resin throughout the starch material.

[0014] It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a method of dosing a liquid in manufacturing paper products, the method comprising the steps of: directing resin from a resin source within a resin supply conduit to a mixed fluid conduit; directing a starch material from a starch material source within a starch material supply conduit to the mixed fluid conduit; mixing the resin and starch material within a mixing section of the mixed fluid conduit, and; directing the mixed fluid to an application station.

[0015] It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing paper goods utilizing starch based adhesives, comprising the steps of: delivering a resin from a resin source to a localized holding tank having a capacity under 250 gallons; delivering a starch material from a starch material source to the localized holding tank; mixing the resin and the starch material resulting in the production of an adhesive having at least water resistance, and; delivering the adhesive from the localized holding tank to an application station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a partial schematic of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic of an exemplary resin delivery system.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an exemplary overhead view of the tank of the present invention (absent the float).

[0019] FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustrative representation of the monitoring system.

[0020] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow diagram of the resin conduit and resin control system of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a partial schematic of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The present invention provides a corrugated manufacturing facility with the luxury of mixing the resin and starch on a virtual as-needed basis. In lieu of prior art techniques that mixed the resin within a large starch holding vessel, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention mix the resin and the starch in-line between the starch source 10 and resin source 12, and the point of use at an application station 14, via a mixing conduit 16. The application station 14 generally includes a temporary holding pan 18 and an applicator 20 that comes into contact with the adhesive within the pan 18 and applies the adhesive the paper products. The in-line mixing technique taught by the exemplary embodiments of the present invention reduces the amount of starch having a degraded potable life as a result of interaction with the resin. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide the corrugated manufacturing facility with the availability to cycle the adhesive between the pan 18 and a temporary holding tank 22, thereby removing adhesive that has coagulated within the pan 18.

[0023] A partial schematic of a general piping layout within corrugated paper manufacturing facility incorporating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The starch tank 10 provides a source of starch pumped by a starch pump 24 through starch feed pipe 26 to the mixing conduit 16, while the resin tank 12 provides a source of resin pumped by a resin pump 30 through a resin feed pipe 28. A resin control system 32 in series with the resin feed pipe 28 controls the amount of resin entering the mixing conduit 16. For purposes of explanation only, the starch and resin mixture are referred to as “adhesive” throughout the application. The mixing conduit 16 feeds the adhesive to an adhesive inlet 34 of the holding tank 22. The tank 22 provides two inlets and one outlet for the adhesive. The first inlet 34, feeds adhesive from the mixing conduit 16 as described above, while a second inlet 36 receives adhesive via a return conduit 38 coming from the application station 14 where the adhesive is consumed. The adhesive outlet 40 from the tank 22 provides adhesive to a pump 42 that directs the adhesive to the application station 14 via the adhesive feed conduit 44.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a fragment of an exemplary resin piping layout from which a unitary resin source 12 is connected to a plurality of resin control systems 32, thereby feeding resin to a plurality of mixing conduits 16.

[0025] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes, at least in part: the starch source 10, the starch conduit 26, the starch pump 24, the resin source 12, the resin conduit 28, the resin pump 30, the mixing conduit 16, the return adhesive conduit 38, a main solenoid valve 46, the tank 22, the resin control system 32, a monitor 48, the adhesive pump 42, the adhesive conduit 44, a return pump 50 and a filter bin 52.

[0026] The adhesive that enters the tank 22 through the main solenoid valve 46 in series with the mixing conduit 16 is combined with adhesive returning from the application station 14. For a more detailed examination of the exemplary embodiment, reference may be had to FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0027] The overhead view of the tank 22 in FIG. 3 provides the general layout for adhesive entry and exit from the tank 40. Adhesive enters from the mixing conduit 16 and the return conduit 38, and adhesive exits via the adhesive conduit 44. Adhesive exiting the adhesive conduit 44 is pumped by the adhesive pump 42 to the pan 18. To accommodate for the adhesive consumed by coagulation and application to the paper products at the application station 14, the tank 22 must periodically receive adhesive from the mixing conduit 16.

[0028] Replenishment of the adhesive in the present invention is brought about by opening the main solenoid valve 46 downstream and in series with the mixing conduit 16 to allow adhesive to flow into the tank 22. Meanwhile, the return adhesive conduit 38 is carrying a mixture of adhesive and coagulated adhesive pumped from the pan 18 by the return pump 50 back to the tank 22 to be filtered by the filter bin 52. As the adhesive and coagulated material exit the return adhesive conduit 36, the contents (majority adhesive and coagulated material) flow into the filter bin 52 that is mounted to the tank 22. The filter bin 52 has a plurality of openings allowing the adhesive to pass through the filter bin 52, while the coagulated material is retained within the bin 52. When the coagulated adhesive contained by the filter bin 52 reaches an amount sufficient for operator intervention, the operator simply removes the full filter bin 52 and replaces it with an empty filter bin 52; thereafter emptying the coagulated contents into a waste container. The filtered adhesive passing through the filter bin 52 is again ready to be directed through the adhesive conduit 44 for delivery to the application station 14. In circumstances where the gravitational flow of adhesive from the tank 22 is preferred, the adhesive pump 42 may be omitted.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, a monitor 48 resides within the tank 22 monitoring the level of adhesive within the tank 22 and providing feedback utilized to control several components of the system. In this exemplary embodiment, the monitor 48 comprises a float 48 mounted to a vertical shaft 56 having a first appendage 58 in potential contact with a float switch 60 and a second appendage 62 connected to a plunger valve 64. The float 48 thereby indirectly controls the plunger valve 64 and the float switch 60. When the level of adhesive in the tank 22 drops, the float 48 drops proportionally, thereby dropping the vertical shaft 56 and the first appendage 58 as well as pulling down on second appendage 62. Thus, when the float 48 drops below a predetermined level, the second appendage 62 opens the plunger valve 64 concurrently with the first appendage 58 engaging an arm 66 of the float switch 60, thereby closing the float switch 60 and providing electric current to certain components of this exemplary embodiment. These components include: the main solenoid valve 46; the resin control system 32; and, the starch pump 24.

[0030] As power is provided to these components, several things happen concurrently: first, the main solenoid valve 46 is opened, thereby allowing adhesive to flow into the tank 22 from the mixing conduit 16; second, the resin control system 32 provides power to the appropriate solenoid valve 68, 70 thereby allowing resin from the resin source 12 to flow through the open plunger valve 64 and through a three-way valve 72 directing the resin into either the mixing conduit 16 or an auxiliary conduit 74; and third, the starch pump 24 is turned on, thereby pumping starch from the starch source 10 through the starch conduit 26 and into the mixing conduit 16. As the level of adhesive within the tank 22 rises, and accordingly the float 48 with it, the first appendage 58 no longer engages the arm 66 of the float switch 60, thereby discontinuing power to the aforementioned aspects and the second appendage 62 no longer maintains the plunger valve 64 in an open position. The physical result of the discontinuation of power and closing of the plunger valve 64 is that the starch pump 24 is turned off, the main solenoid valve 46 is closed, the resin solenoid valves 68, 70 are closed and the plunger valve 64 is closed.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a schematic the resin flowing within the resin supply conduit 28 and the resin control system 32. As the resin is directed from the resin source 12, it flows through the resin supply conduit 28 and branches into two distinct pathways. The first pathway includes a first solenoid valve 68 in series with a first needle valve 76. The second pathway includes a second solenoid valve 70 in series with a second needle valve 78. The first and second pathways downstream from the needle valves 76, 78 converge into a single resin supply conduit 28 potentially providing resin to the mixing conduit 16 by way of the three-way valve 72 and a check valve 80. The mixing conduit 16 may also be equipped with a shut-off valve 82 in series and upstream from the entry point of the resin, and preferably accessible by an operator.

[0032] The solenoid valves 68, 70 of the resin control system 32 of this exemplary embodiment function on an alternating basis; therefore, when the first solenoid valve 68 is open, the second solenoid valve 70 is closed and vice versa during operation. Therefore, the first needle valve 76 is set such that the amount of resin passing through the valve 76 will, when mixed with the starch within the mixing conduit 16, result in the adhesive being water resistance after application to the paper product and subsequent curing. The second needle valve 78 is set such that the amount of resin passing through the valve 78 will, when mixed with the starch within the mixing conduit 16, produce an adhesive that is waterproof after application to the paper product and subsequent curing. The solenoid valves 76, 78 are electrically connected to a control panel 84 giving the operator three choices. The first choice, “off”, discontinues electric current to the valves 76, 78, thereby closing each of them. The second selection, “water resistant”, opens the first solenoid valve 76 and maintains the second solenoid valve 78 in a closed position. The third, “waterproof”, opens the second solenoid valve 78 and maintains the first solenoid valve 76 in a closed position.

[0033] Once the resin has passed through the first or second pathway, the resin passes through the three-way valve 72. The three-way valve 72 provides generally three settings. The first setting effectively closes the resin supply conduit 28 so that no resin passes through the three-way valve 72. The second setting provides fluid communication between the resin source 12 and the mixing conduit 16 such that the resin passes through the first or second pathway, through the plunger valve 64, through the three way valve 72, through the check valve 80 and into the mixing conduit 16. The third setting, provides fluid communication between the resin source 12 and the auxiliary conduit 74 such that the resin passes through the first or second pathway, through the plunger valve 64, through the three way valve 72 and into the auxiliary conduit 74. The auxiliary conduit 74 may be a second mixing conduit or may simply be an open outlet providing an operator the availability to measure in a standalone container the amount of resin passing through the three-way valve 72 at any given time. The check valve 80 referenced above is closed whenever pressure exerted on the mixing conduit 16 side of the valve 80 is greater than the pressure exerted on the three-way 72 side of the valve 80, thereby minimizing any starch/resin interaction within the resin supply conduit 28.

[0034] The exemplary resin pump 30 utilized in the present exemplary embodiment is an air-operated diaphragm pump. In choosing a diaphragm pump, resin is pumped through the resin conduit 28 until the pressure on the resin conduit 28 side is equal to or greater than the pressure on the fluid supply side driving the pump. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize other pumps that one of ordinary skill will readily be aware of that may replace the diaphragm pump. One example would be a centrifugal pump that is controlled by the float switch such that both the resin pump and the starch pump are powered whenever the adhesive level within the tank falls below a certain level. Other pumps such as positive displacement pumps are also within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0035] It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a doser having many of the same components as the first exemplary embodiment, but excluding the tank, the return conduit and associated pump as shown in FIG. 6. In eliminating the tank and the return conduit, the mixing section 16 as described in the first exemplary embodiment feeds adhesive directly to the pan 18 of the application station 14, which is determinative upon the solenoid valve 46 being open. In this embodiment, the application station 14 includes a monitor 88 that may be analogous to that described in the first exemplary embodiment, but that tracks the level of adhesive within the pan 18 of the application station 14. The resin control system 32 may also be analogous to that described in the first exemplary embodiment, with the plunger valve 64 being replaced with a control solenoid valve (not shown) that receives signals from the float switch 60 mounted to the pan 14 or otherwise. The float switch 60 also directs signals to a plurality of aspects such as the starch pump 24, main solenoid valve 46 and resin control system 32. In response to the production of coagulated adhesive within the pan 18, the second exemplary embodiment includes a pan pump 90 and a pan conduit 92 recycling the adhesive and coagulated adhesive through a filter bin 94 mounted to the pan 18. The second exemplary embodiment otherwise functions analogous to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0036] The mixing conduit 16 utilized in the present invention includes impediments to fluid flow that result in non-laminar fluid profiles within the mixing conduit 16. In the exemplary embodiments, in-series veins are utilized to disrupt the flow, thereby creating opportunities for eddies in the flow and mixing between the starch and resin. It is also within the present invention to include other impediments to the fluid flow within the mixing conduit, such as, without limitation, Raschig Rings, Pall Rings, Berl Saddles, Cascade Mini-rings®, Flexirings®, Hy-Pak®, Intalox®, Snowflake®, Jaeger Tri-Packs®, Nutter Ring®, Super Torus Saddle® and Ralu Rings®.

[0037] It is also within the scope of the present invention that the mixing of the starch and resin occur substantially within the tank 22 with the aid of an impeller or other agitation device. When the substantial portion of the mixing is to occur within the tank 22, it is also within the scope of the present invention to directly add the resin to the adhesive within the tank 22. While the aforementioned exemplary embodiments have been explained with the mixing conduit 16 directly preceding the tank 22, it is certainly within the scope of the present invention to position the mixing conduit 16 at other locations between the starch and resin sources 10, 12 and the tank 22.

[0038] Following from the above description and invention summary, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the inventions contained herein are not limited to these precise embodiments and that changes may be made to them without departing from the scope of the inventions as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the meanings of the claims unless such limitations or elements are explicitly listed in the claims. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dosing a liquid in manufacturing paper products, the apparatus comprising: a mixed fluid conduit carrying a mixed fluid to be directed to an application station, at least a portion of the mixed fluid being a starch material from a starch material source; a starch material source feeding starch within a starch material supply line to the mixed fluid conduit; a resin source feeding resin within a resin supply line to the mixed fluid conduit; and a mixing section of the mixed fluid conduit dispersing the resin throughout the starch material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a resin control system in series with the resin supply line for manipulating the flow of the resin into the mixed fluid conduit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the resin control system comprises: a first valve set to supply a first predetermined amount of the resin to the mixed fluid conduit, a second valve, in parallel with the first valve, and set to supply a second predetermined amount of the resin to the mixed fluid conduit, and a secondary resin control mechanism that enables selective flow of the resin through the first valve and the second valve; and the resin supply line includes a primary valve enabling selective fluid communication between the resin source and the mixed fluid conduit, or the resin source and an auxiliary outlet.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a tank having: a mixed fluid inlet in fluid communication with the mixed fluid conduit, and a mixed fluid outlet delivering the mixed fluid to an application station; and a mixed fluid valve which controls the flow of mixed fluid entering the tank from the mixed fluid conduit; and a monitor for monitoring the level of the mixed fluid within the tank.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a first pump pumping the mixed fluid between the application station and the tank; a resin pump pumping the resin from the resin source; and a container with limited openings for retaining coagulated material produced at the application station which is pumped to the tank.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixed fluid conduit includes mixing articles to develop or maintain mixing of the resin and the starch material.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a tank having: a mixed fluid inlet accepting a mixed fluid delivered via the mixed fluid conduit, and a mixed fluid outlet through which the mixed fluid passes therethrough and subsequently directed to the application station; and a mixed fluid valve controlling the mixed fluid entering the tank from the mixed fluid conduit

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: at least a portion of the mixed fluid from the application station is cycled back to the tank; and the tank has a volume of less than 250 gallons.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a resin control system in series with the resin supply line for manipulating the resin entering the mixed fluid conduit.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the resin control system comprises: a first valve set to supply a first predetermined amount of the resin to the mixed fluid conduit, a second valve, in parallel with the first valve, and set to supply a second predetermined amount of the resin to the mixed fluid conduit, and a secondary resin control mechanism that enables selective flow of the resin through the first valve and the second valve; and the resin supply line includes a primary valve enabling selective fluid communication between the resin source and the mixed fluid conduit, or the resin source and an auxiliary outlet.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a monitor for monitoring the level of the mixed fluid within the tank.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the monitor includes a float within the tank responsive to a variation of the level of the mixed fluid within the tank; and the primary valve is a three-way valve enabling selection between being closed, open to the auxiliary outlet and open to the mixed fluid conduit.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a first pump pumping the mixed fluid between the application station and the tank; a resin pump pumping the resin from the resin source; and a container with limited openings retaining coagulated material produced at the application station.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the tank has a volume of less than 250 gallons; the resin pump is a fluid operated diaphragm pump; and the primary valve is in series with a check valve prohibiting the starch material from exiting the mixed fluid conduit and into fluid communication with the primary valve.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the resin supply line includes a primary valve enabling selective fluid communication between the resin source and the mixed fluid conduit, or the resin source and an auxiliary outlet; and the resin control system comprises: a first resin pathway including a first solenoid valve in series with a first control valve set to supply a first predetermined amount of the resin through the primary valve, a second resin pathway, in parallel with the first resin pathway, including a second solenoid valve in series with a second control valve set to supply a second predetermined amount of the resin through the primary valve, and a secondary resin control mechanism that enables selective flow of the resin through the first pathway and the second pathway.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a monitor for monitoring the level of the mixed fluid within the tank.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the monitor includes a float within the tank responsive to a variation of the level of the mixed fluid within the tank; and the primary valve is a three-way valve enabling selection between being closed, open to the auxiliary outlet and open to the mixed fluid conduit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: the float provides feedback to an electronic control that controls amount of mixed fluid entering the tank via the mixed fluid inlet, the operation of the primary valve and the resin control system; the electronic control opens a mixed fluid valve at the mixed fluid inlet and opens the primary valve whenever the feedback from the float indicates the level of the mixed fluid within the tank is below a predetermined operating level; and the electronic control system closes the mixed fluid valve and closes the primary valve whenever the feedback from the float indicates the level of the mixed fluid within the tank is at or above a predetermined operating level.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: the first valve is set such that the resin passing through the primary valve and into the mixed fluid conduit results in the mixed fluid being water resistant upon curing; and the second valve is set such that the resin passing through the primary valve and into the mixed fluid conduit results in the mixed fluid being waterproof upon curing.

20. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a monitor for monitoring the level of the mixed fluid within the tank; and a primary valve in series with the resin supply line enabling selective fluid communication between the resin source and the mixed fluid conduit, or the resin source and an auxiliary outlet.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: the monitor includes a float within the tank responsive to a variation in level of the mixed fluid within the tank; and the primary valve is a three-way valve enabling selection between being closed, open to the auxiliary outlet and open to the mixed fluid conduit.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a resin control system in series with the resin supply line for manipulating the resin flow to the mixed fluid conduit.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the resin control system comprises: a first valve set to supply a first predetermined amount of the resin to the mixed fluid conduit; a second valve, in parallel with the first valve, set to supply a second predetermined amount of the resin to the mixed fluid conduit; and a secondary resin control mechanism that enables selective flow of the resin through the first valve and the second valve.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein: the tank has a volume of less than 250 gallons; and the mixed fluid conduit includes mixing articles to develop or maintain mixing of the resin and the starch material.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein: the float provides feedback to a primary control mechanism having control over the primary valve, the resin control system, the mixed fluid valve and a starch material pump; the primary control mechanism opens the mixed fluid valve and opens the primary valve whenever the feedback from the float indicates the level of the mixed fluid within the tank is below a predetermined operating level; and the primary control mechanism closes the mixed fluid valve and closes the primary valve whenever the feedback from the float indicates the level of the mixed fluid within the tank is at or above a predetermined operating level.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein: the first valve is set such that the amount of the resin passing through the primary valve and into the mixed fluid conduit results in the mixed fluid being water resistant upon curing; the second valve is set such that the amount of resin passing through the primary valve and into the mixed fluid conduit results in the mixed fluid being waterproof upon curing; and the secondary resin control mechanism comprises: a first solenoid valve in series with the first valve, and a second solenoid valve in series with the second valve.

27. A method of dosing a liquid in manufacturing paper products, the method comprising the steps of: directing resin from a resin source within a resin supply conduit to a mixed fluid conduit; directing a starch material from a starch material source within a starch material supply conduit to the mixed fluid conduit; mixing the resin and starch material within a mixing section of the mixed fluid conduit; and directing the mixed fluid to an application station.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of manipulating the flow of the resin into the mixed fluid conduit via a resin control system in series with the resin supply conduit, wherein the step of manipulating the flow of the resin includes placing in parallel a first restrictor valve and a second restrictor valve, such that the first restrictor valve enables a first predetermined amount of resin to flow therethrough and the second restrictor valve enables a second predetermined amount of resin to flow therethrough.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the steps of: directing into a tank the mixed fluid from the mixed fluid conduit, the tank having a mixed fluid outlet; monitoring the level of mixed fluid within the tank; directing the mixed fluid between the application station and the tank; and pumping the resin from the resin source to the mixed fluid conduit; filtering coagulated material produced at the application station from the mixed fluid directed to the tank.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the mixing step utilizes a mixing article facilitating random flow patterns of the mixed fluid.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of directing into a tank the mixed fluid from the mixed fluid conduit, the tank having a mixed fluid outlet.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of cycling at least a portion of the mixed fluid between the application station and the tank.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of manipulating the resin flowing into the mixed fluid conduit by including a resin control system in series with the resin supply conduit.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein: the manipulating step includes: restricting the resin flowing within the resin supply conduit by providing at least two restrictor valves in parallel; eliminating the resin potentially flowing through at least the two valves by providing at least two shut-off valves, one in series with each restrictor valve; and providing a primary valve in series with the resin supply conduit providing selective fluid communication between the resin source and the mixed fluid conduit, or the resin source and an auxiliary outlet.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of monitoring the level of the mixed fluid within the tank, wherein the monitoring includes utilizing a float responsive to a variation of the level of the mixed fluid within the tank.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of: pumping the mixed fluid between the application station and the tank; pumping the resin from the resin source; filtering coagulated material produced at the application station from the mixed fluid pumped to the tank; and prohibiting the starch material from entering the resin supply conduit.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein: the manipulating step includes: directing the resin flowing within the resin supply conduit into at least two parallel pathways, therafter providing for a single path for the resin flowing within the resin supply conduit; and eliminating the resing flowing potentially through at least the two parallel pathways by providing at least two solenoid valves, one in series with each pathway.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of monitoring the level of the mixed fluid within the tank, wherein the monitoring includes utilizing a float responsive to a variation of the level of the mixed fluid within the tank.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of receiving feedback upon monitoring the level of the tank, wherein the feedback is utilized to control at least: the flow of the mixed fluid entering the tank, and the flow of the resin passing entering the mixed fluid conduit.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the directing sub-step of the manipulating step provides an amount of the resin flowing in a first pathway that, upon mixing with the starch material, provides water resistance to the mixed fluid upon curing, and wherein the directing sub-step of the manipulating step provides an amount of the resin flowing in a second pathway that, upon mixing with the starch material, provides waterproofing to the mixed fluid upon curing.

41. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of: monitoring the level of the mixed fluid within the tank; manipulating the resin entering the mixed fluid conduit by providing a resin control system in series with the resin supply conduit; and cycling at least a portion of the mixed fluid between the application station and the tank.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein: the monitoring step includes utilizing a float responsive to a variation of the level of the mixed fluid within the tank; and the manipulating step includes: providing a first valve in series with the resin supply conduit, providing a second valve in series with the resin supply conduit, and providing a selective control mechanism enabling selective flow of the resin through the first valve and the second valve.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the mixing step is facilitated at least in part by mixing articles within the mixed fluid conduit developing or maintaining random flow patters of the resin and starch material.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of receiving feedback upon monitoring the level of the tank, wherein the feedback is utilized to control: the flow of the mixed fluid entering the tank, and the flow of the resin passing entering the mixed fluid conduit.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the manipulating step includes: providing an amount of resin flowing in a first pathway that upon mixing with the starch material provides water resistance to the mixed fluid upon curing; and providing an amount of resin flowing in a second pathway that upon mixing with the starch material provides waterproofing to the mixed fluid upon curing.

46. A method of manufacturing paper goods utilizing starch based adhesives, comprising the steps of: delivering a resin from a resin source to a localized holding tank having a capacity under 250 gallons; delivering a starch material from a starch material source to the localized holding tank; mixing the resin and the starch material resulting in the production of an adhesive having at least water resistance; and delivering the adhesive from the localized holding tank to an application station.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the steps of: cycling at least a portion of the adhesive between the localized holding tank and the application station; and filtering the adhesive returning to the localized holding tank to remove coagulated material.