Patent Application
20180035689
The present disclosure relates generally to partitioning of materials, for example the portioning of difficult to process viscous materials.
3-D printing is an additive manufacturing process that builds a part in a layer-by-layer fashion to create a three-dimensional object from a digital model. Initially developed in the mid 1980's and used subsequently in highly specialized industries with the expertise and financial means to mitigate the high costs, 3-D printing has recently become a technology that is cheap and accessible to almost anyone. Today's 3D printers include room sized systems but are more typically desktop instruments and can be used for creating and/or prototyping items as disparate as human organ replacements and turbine parts.
Although many materials can be used to make 3D printed parts, many materials are difficult or impossible to use as the print feedstock using the current technologies. There therefore is a need for 3D printers and methods of printing unconventional materials.
In general, methods, equipment and systems are described herein for the production of small portions accurately, precisely and repeatedly. For example, a viscous, sticky material or oily material can be partitioned into a plurality of non-contacting portions using an extruder equipped with a multi-zone heater or one-way valves.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a method for partitioning a material. The method includes extruding the material from a chamber through a CNC controlled nozzle and arraying the material onto a partitionable receptacle forming an array of non-contacting portions. The partitionable receptacle can include a surface for arraying the material upon with a surface energy below about 40 mN/m (e.g., a non-stick receptacle such as wax paper, perforated wax paper, and a TEFLON™ treated surface). The partitionable receptacle can also include a container (e.g., a capsule such as a medicinal, herbal or drug capsule, a vaporizing pen cartridge, a jar for a cream or for holding wax or oil). In some implementations of the method, the material is heated using a multi-zone heater having a first and a second zone. Optionally the difference in temperature between the first and second zone is at least about 5 degrees Celsius. The temperature difference between the first and second zone of the multi-zone heater can be less than about 80 degrees Celsius. Optionally, the temperature of the first and second zone is less than about 110 degrees Celsius (e.g., less than about 100 degrees Celsius, less than about 90 degrees Celsius, less than about 80 degrees Celsius). In another implementation, the method includes extruding material from the chamber through a one-way valve and through a nozzle, wherein the valve is disposed between an outlet to the chamber and the nozzle. Optionally, the method can further include filling the chamber with a material through an inlet and from a reservoir and through a one-way valve disposed between the reservoir and the inlet.
Optionally the partitionable receptacle comprises a coupon. (e.g., metal, plastic, paper, transdermal patch). The partitionable receptacle is a component of a transdermal patch. In some implementations of the method, the material can include a cannabis extract. For example, extracted using a solvent such as butane, supercritical carbon dioxide and ethanol. The cannabis extract can be selected from the group consisting of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabichromene acid (CBCA), cannabidiol acid (CBDA), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabinol acid (CBNA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN) and mixtures of these. In addition to or optionally, the material can include a terpene. For example, the terpene can be selected from the group consisting of Pinene (e.g., alpha-Pinene, Beta-Pinene), Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene, Linalool, Terpinolene, Camphene, Phellandrene, Humulene, Phellandrene, Phytol, Pulegone, Bergamotene, Farnesene, Delta-3-Carene, Elemene, Fenchol, Aromadendrene, Bisabolene, alpha-Bisabolol, Borneol, Eucalyptol, Cineole and mixtures of these. Optionally the method includes a medicinal preparation that is consumed by ingestion, by inhalation, by smoking, sublingually or transdermally.
In some implementations of the method each non-contacting portion comprises between about 1 mg and 100 g (e.g., between about 1 mg and 1 g, between about 1 mg and 500 mg of material, between about 1 mg and about 200 mg, between about 10 mg and about 100 mg) of material. Optionally, the standard deviation of the average of the masses of the array of non-contacting portions is less than about 10% (e.g., less than about 5%, even less than about 1%). The method can be used as a batch process for the production of non-contacting portions of the material. Optionally, the batches include between 2 and 5000 portions (e.g., between 2 and 1000 portions, between 2-500 portions, between 2-100 portions). Optionally the portions are deposited at a rate of between about 1 mg/s and 1000 mg/s (e.g., 10 mg/s and 100 mg/s). In some implementations of the method, a second CNC controlled nozzle is used for arraying the material.
In some implementations of the method, the non-contacting portions are produced at an average rate of between about 0.002 and about 10 portions per second wherein the time is measured between the first portion that is extruded and the last portion that is extruded in a batch. For example, the average rate can be between 0.01 and about 1 portion per second. Optionally, the material is at a temperature between about 40 and about 100 degrees Celsius while being extruded (e.g., between about 40 and 80 degrees Celsius). The material can have a viscosity below about 1,000,000 centipoise (e.g., below about 10,000 centipoise) while being extruded. Optionally, the material can have a viscosity above about 10,000 centipoise while being extruded. Optionally, the material is made to contact and pass through, on and/or across a flexible applicator after being extruded and prior to being deposited onto the partitionable receptacle. For example, the flexible applicator is selected from the group consisting of a plastic nozzle, a silicone nozzle, a plastic tube and a silicone tube. Optionally the portions have an average width to average height ratio of greater than about two (e.g. between about 2 and about 100).
In accordance with the invention there is also provided a method of partitioning a material by extruding the material through a CNC controlled nozzle and arraying the material into at least two molds, forming an array of non-contacting portions.
The invention also includes a 3D printer for partitioning material. The 3D printer includes a chamber capable of containing the material and the chamber including at least one movable wall. The printer includes a mechanism for moving the wall that is CNC controlled. The printer also includes a multi-zone heater configured for heating the chamber and including at least a first and a second heater. The chamber includes an opening through which the material can be extruded to produce extruded material. The 3D printer also includes a stage for receiving the extruded material from the opening, wherein the relative positioning of the stage and opening is CNC controlled. In some implementations the first heater comprises an enclosure containing the chamber. Optionally the enclosure comprises at least a portion that is transparent.
In some implementations the chamber of the 3D printer is configured as a syringe, the movable wall is configured as a plunger coupled to the syringe and the first heater is configured to couple with the syringe barrel in a removable fashion. Optionally the first heater is configured to couple with the syringe in a removable fashion by utilizing an adaptor configured as a body having outer dimensions commensurate with the first heater and a hole through the body having a diameter equal to or larger than the syringe outer diameter. Optionally the adaptor includes a metal (e.g., aluminum, brass, copper or stainless steel). Optionally the syringe has a cylindrical barrel. Optionally, the force required to move the syringe in the direction of movement of the plunger is greater than the force required to move the syringe in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the plunger. For example, the difference in force required to move the syringe in the direction of movement of the plunger and a direction perpendicular to the movement of the plunger can be at least 10 Newton (e.g., at least 15 Newton, at least 20 Newton, at least 30 Newton).
In some further implementations, the 3D printer further comprising a nozzle in fluid communication with the chamber and wherein the second heater is configured to couple with the nozzle (e.g., the nozzle and heater have complementary threading). Optionally, the first and second heater can provide a temperature difference of at least 5 degrees Celsius. In some implementations, the heaters can provide a temperature that is less than about 110 degrees Celsius (e.g., less than about 100 degrees Celsius, less than about 90 degrees Celsius, less than about 80 degrees Celsius). Optionally, the first and second heater can provide a difference in temperature of less than about 80 degrees Celsius. The first heater can include a flexible silicone heater and the second heater can include a cartridge heater.
In yet another implementation the 3D printer can further include an inlet to the chamber, a reservoir and a one-way valve disposed therebetween, wherein the one-way valve provides fluid communication between the chamber and reservoir with a direction of flow from the reservoir to the chamber. Further implementations of the 3D printer include a one-way valve disposed between chamber and the outlet, wherein the one-way valve provide fluid communication between the chamber and outside of the chamber with a direction of flow from the chamber to outside of the chamber. The valves can be CNC controlled and or controlled due to a difference in pressure across the valve.
In another optional implementation, the 3D printer further comprising a nozzle in fluid communication with the outlet and a first and second one-way valve, wherein the first one-way valve allows flow of material from the reservoir, through the outlet and through the nozzle, and the second one-way valve allows flow of material from a reservoir to the outlet and into the chamber. The valves can be CNC controlled and or controlled due to a difference in pressure across the valve.
The apparatus described herein can be used for partitioning materials that are liquids and viscous pastes. For example, the materials are useful for partitioning materials that are difficult to partition by hand such as resinous and stick materials that attach to implements such as spatulas. Also materials that at room temperature are brittle and hard can be hard to partition by hand and the apparatus described herein can be useful for these materials. The apparatus can also be used to prepare relatively small batch sizes, each apparatus preparing a small batch in one location (e.g., state, province) rather than large continuous processes that produce much larger amounts of materials in a centralized location (e.g., nationally, internationally). Such scale is useful for materials that are highly regulated such as medicinal materials. The scale of the apparatus makes this an economical as well as practical alternative. In addition, the apparatus as described herein has very little dead volume such as long inaccessible tubes wherein material is wasted and/or requires extensive cleaning. Rather, the material that is to be partitioned is efficiently utilized. The apparatus can also be useful for carefully controlling the temperature of the material while and just before it is being extruded, for example, so that the sample has a constant viscosity as it is extruded out of a nozzle. One way valves aid in flow control of difficult to partition materials from the extruder and into the extruder.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings, detailed description, and from the claims.
The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention.
As used herein, CNC control refers to computer numerical control. For example where the motions of a machine are controlled by a prepared program containing coded alphanumeric data such as G-code. CNC control can control the motion of a nozzle and stage of an additive manufacturing machine relative to each other (e.g., their relative x, y, and z position), other energy outputs (e.g., heating, cooling, and electrical power to a laser), weight on a printer bed, optical feeds from digital cameras and speed of extrusion of a feedstock.
As used herein, a linear actuator refers to an actuator that creates motion in a straight linear path.
As used herein; x, y and z (lower case) are Cartesian coordinate points. X, Y and Z (Upper case) refer to the Cartesian directions and Rx, Ry and Rz are rotational directions about the subscripted axis. Clearly, other coordinate systems can be used by applying the appropriate transfer function, e.g., to polar coordinates.
As used herein, viscosity is a measure of a liquid's resistance to deformation by shear or tensile stress. Low viscosity liquids have a viscosity of less than about 10,000 centipoise and can be poured (e.g., up to about the consistency of honey at room temperature). Medium viscosity liquids have a viscosity between about 10,000 centipoise and about 1,000,000 centipoise (e.g., pastes including ketchup and peanut butter) and can be extruded with moderate force but cannot be easily poured. High viscosity liquids have viscosity above about 1,000,000 centipoise and are pastes or putties that cannot be poured (e.g., Caulking compounds between about 2 and 5 million cP, window putty more than 100 million cP).
As used herein “disposable” means that a component is meant to be replaced more often than most components of the system in which it operates. For example, a syringe that is disposable can be filled and emptied a few times (e.g., less than 100, less than 50, less than 10) before it should be discarded due to it not working optimally (e.g., it becomes contaminated or it might stick or components might swell or otherwise be damaged or susceptible to damage such as rupture).
Using the equipment, methods and systems described herein, and illustrated in the figures, a difficult to partition material can be partitioned. For example, apparatus and methods are described for partitioning of viscous and sticky materials such as resins and oils.
A multi-zone temperature controlling apparatus can be used to heat or cool the chamber and/or nozzle. For example a multi-zone temperature control apparatus with zones 46 and 48 can be included with apparatus 1. In this embodiment zone 48 is closer to the opening 60 than zone 46. The multi-zone temperature control apparatus can include two or more zones (e.g., three, four, five or more zones arranged along the length or Z direction of the chamber 10). The temperatures of each zone can be independently set to any desired temperatures. For example, any temperatures between about −50 and 400 degrees Celsius, with control in each zone of about +/−0.1 degrees Celsius. The temperature control apparatus can be configured with heaters and/or coolers. For example, the heaters can be heating tape that contacts the chamber, a conducting metal in contact with the chamber and a heating cartridge, a hot air gun directed at the chamber, an IR lamp directed at the chamber, a heating jacket with a heating fluid passing therethrough (e.g., heated water, heated oil, heated air), a resistive heater embedded in a flexible rubber (e.g., a flexible silicone rubber insulated heater), or any radiative heater in proximity to the chamber. The entire chamber can be heated or a portion of the chamber can be heated. In some embodiments the heater directs heat near the outlet of the chamber such as at a nozzle attached to the chamber. In some embodiments the chamber includes an insulated portion distal from the opening and a heat conductive portion proximal to the opening. The heaters can provide temperatures between ambient temperature and about 400 degrees Celsius (e.g., less than about 110 degrees Celsius). Coolers can be a fan, a radiator and/or a cooling jacket with a cooling fluid passing therethrough (e.g., cooling water, chilled air and chilled gas such as nitrogen). The heating and/or cooling of the zones is controlled by the CNC control. The temperature is monitored, for example by a thermistor or thermocouple integrated with each of the zones or in the chamber proximate to the heating zone, an IR heat detector directed at the chamber and/or nozzle or any other useful heat monitoring device (e.g., a thermometer).
The CNC control communicates with electrical and mechanical devices that control the relative position of the chamber 10 (e.g., x1, y1, z1) and of the stage 80 (e.g., x2, y2, z2). In addition, the CNC control communicates with the mechanism 40 and thus the extrusion rate out of opening 60 and nozzle 65. For example, extrusion rates can be controlled between about 1 mg/s and about 1000 mg/s for a nozzle aperture size of about 2 mm (e.g., between about 0.2 mm and about 3 mm). Larger systems with larger nozzles can extrude material at a faster rate. The CNC control also controls the temperature of the multi-zone temperature control apparatus as previously described. For example, the CNC controls stepper motors coupled to the stage or chamber through direct screw drives, belts and or pulleys. Gantries, tracks and other methods of smooth movement of the stage and/or chamber relative to each other in X, Y and Z directions can be used. In an embodiment, an algorithm executes a relative X and Y movement of the opening/nozzle to the stage while extruding material at a specified rate, optionally followed by an incremental movement up in the Z direction, and deposition of another layer by relative movement in the X and Y directions. The algorithm may include pauses in motion, and motions in any direction. Such motions can be used to allow inspection, adjustment, modification, or other actions to be performed on the material being extruded or the apparatus. It is understood that the relative movement of the chamber and stage can be achieved by many different configurations. For example, under CNC control and the electrical and mechanical devices, the stage may move in the X and Y direction and the chamber moves in a Z direction; in another configuration the stage may move in a Z direction and the chamber moves in an X and Z direction; alternatively the stage may move in a Y direction while the chamber moves in an X and Z direction; in another option the stage may not move and the chamber may move in X, Y and Z directions. The exact configuration for CNC movement can be selected by the Artisan. In some embodiments such as depicted in
As previously described, the movable wall 30 can be moved by means of a linear actuator that is in mechanical communication and/or contact with the wall. For example, as shown in
Mechanisms other than a linear actuator are recognized for moving the walls of the chamber. For example, the Tube-Wringer® (Gill Mechanical Co., Oregon) acts by squeezing two walls of a flexible tube (e.g., configured as a toothpaste or caulking tube) between rollers. Such rollers could be modified to be driven by a motor and CNC controlled. Alternatively, more than one linear actuator could be used, for example, pushing on two walls of the chamber, such as opposing sides of a flexible tube.
The equipment, methods and apparatus herein can have very little dead volume. That is, at least 90 vol. % (e.g., at least 95 vol. %, at least 99 vol. %) of the contents (e.g., 20 in
In some embodiments, the receptacle is a non-stick receptacle such that it has at least one surface having a low energy disposed for receiving the depositing material. For example, the low energy surface can have a surface energy below about 40 mN/m e.g., between about 20 mN/m and about 40 mN/m or between about 25 mN/m and 28 mN/m. Without being bound to a specific mechanism, it is believed that having a too high surface energy will make separation of the deposited material from the surface difficult. Alternatively, having a surface energy that is too low can make it difficult to allow the material to stick to the surface sufficiently to, for example, print or deposit a material (e.g., the material may travel with the nozzle as it moves relative to the surface).
The material can be deposited as a regular array of material as shown above. For example,
Although the embodiments show a regular array of deposited material, the material can be deposited in an irregular array as determined by the operator and/or designer of the run and implemented by the CNC control of the apparatus. In addition, the embodiments show deposition of material with similar shapes. It is envisioned that the material can be deposited in arrays of different shapes. For example,
In some embodiment only a single layer of material is extruded per non-contacting portion. The portions can also have a high width to height aspect ratio. For example, as shown in
Other embodiments include the partitionable receptacle configured as a portion of a transdermal patch. For example, the partitionable receptacle can be a release liner, the backing layer or a rate controlling membrane. Alternative embodiments include the partitionable surface configured as metal (e.g., titanium) and ceramic (e.g., glass, quartz) coupons or containers where upon the material is deposited in non-contacting portions.
It is understood by the artisan that a non-contacting portion might have a small amount of contact. For example, some materials can form thin strands that bridge two or more of the non-contacting portions. This can occurs with very viscous and sticky materials such as resins and gums. In these cases the amount of material in such contacting strings are less than about 1 wt. % of the material in the non-contacting portion.
Although control of the portion amounts can be controlled by flow rates, a feedback mechanism including an automated system for weighting the portions or optically observing the portions while they are extruded is envisioned. For example, a single or an array of piezoelectric devices placed under the partitionable receptacle and on the stage that detect the weight of material as it is extruded. The signal from the piezoelectric devices can be fed back to the CNC control which modulates an extruding mechanism such as 40. Similarly, optical detection of the extruded amount can be implemented by a digital camera and the images compared to expected profiles. For example, if the partitionable receptacle is configured as a container, the level of filling can be detected optically. Alternatively, the weighing and/or optical device can be passive and it can record the amount of material deposited as the operation proceeds. The record can then be inspected to determine if the deposition process was within acceptable parameters. Portions that are not within acceptable limits can be discarded or recycled.
In some embodiments, the chamber and movable wall are configured as a syringe, with the barrel of the syringe defining the chamber and the movable wall being the surface of the plunger placed inside the barrel. In optional embodiments the syringe is partially or completely disposable. For example, the syringe can include a lining, tube or a cartridge that is disposable.
An embodiment of the chamber configured as a heated syringe 610 is shown in
Is some embodiments, the chamber portion 632 (
In addition to heating, the assembly 800 can provides a support to the heated syringe 900. For example, the assembly 800 and syringe 900 are dimensioned such that the syringe is easy to remove by hand (
A cover can be used as shown in
The assembly 800 can be configured to accommodate any size syringe. In addition, an adaptor can be made of a heat conductive material such as a metal (e.g., aluminum, brass, copper and/or stainless steel) so that syringes of different sizes can be used with the assembly 800 and heat can be transferred efficiently from the heater, through the adaptor to the syringe extruder. For example, the adaptor can be a hollow tube 1102 as shown in a perspective view in
Another embodiment for the configuration of the heater/holder assembly 800 that can couple with a syringe extruder 1104 and an adaptor is shown in
Other configurations of heater holder, heater and extruder chamber are envisioned For example, the syringe extruder can have an outer surface and geometry that is a cuboid wherein the adaptor hole could be square or the syringe extruder could fit in the slot 1208 provided by holder 1202 and heater 1204 assembly.
In some embodiments two or more chambers are used and each chamber feeds the material to be extruded through an opening in each chamber, to the nozzle inlets. Therefore, between the outlet of the chambers and the nozzle inlets the two materials combined prior to being extruded through the nozzle. The location or region where the combination occurs is an in-line mixer. For example, with two chambers, the mixer can be in a “Y”-shaped configuration wherein the mixing chamber has two inlets connected to the outlets of the chambers and one outlet connected to the nozzle inlet. The size of the inlets to the chamber can be each of different sizes, for example to control the amount of material from each chamber allowed into the mixing chamber. The chamber can be an elongated tube, elliptical, rectangular, conical or any other suitable shape. Mechanical mixing such as rotating propellers, paddles, rotor stators and/or turbines can be used to improve the mixing. Mechanical stationary means such as a static mixer can also be used. In some embodiments, a static in-line mixer is used. In other embodiments two or more chambers with each having a corresponding outlet and nozzle can be utilized, for example, such as to produce non-contacting portions faster due to the possible parallel processing of material. In another embodiment, the chamber can have two or more openings and/or nozzles for extruding material.
The materials that can be partitioned using the apparatus described herein include liquids with low medium and high viscosity. In some embodiments the materials have medium to low viscosities at room temperature. In embodiments wherein the materials have a medium viscosity at room temperature, the materials can optionally be headed to lower the viscosity (e.g., between about 40 and about 100 degrees Celsius, between about 40 and 80 degrees Celsius).
In some optional embodiments the receptacle is not partitionable but the material can be easily removed from or detached from the receptacle. For example, the receptacle can be one or more molds. For example, the mold can include an array of 2 or more shapes, each of which can be filled with material to make a non-contacting portion (e.g., an array of 2, 3 or 4 shapes makes 2, 3 or 4 non-contacting portions respectively). Alternatively, an array of molds can be placed on the stage for example each mold having one or more shapes. The mold can also be shaped from any suitable material such as plastics, silicones and cellulosic materials. The mold can even be stamped into an appropriate powdered material such as corn starch. A releasing agent can be applied to the mold such as cornstarch and/or the surface disposed for contacting the material has a low surface energy such below about 40 mN/m (e.g., below about 30 mN/m).
The embodiments include using materials that include cannabis extracts. There has been a growing interest and public acceptance of the use of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use. The plant material has been used for their therapeutic effects in treating the symptoms of cancer, aids, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy and other conditions. In the plant, some of the active components include cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabichromene acid (CBCA), cannabidiol acid (CBDA), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabinol acid (CBNA). These can be used in creams, eye drops, therapeutic patches, edible pills and by heating the material and inhaling the smoke such as through a cannabis cigarette or pipe. Heating cannabinoids decarboxylates the components described above producing cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN) and volatilizes the components. In addition to the above, cannabis extracts also include many other ingredients such as terpenes. For example; Pinene (e.g., alpha-Pinene, Beta-Pinene), Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene, Linalool, Terpinolene, Camphene, Phellandrene, Humulene, Phellandrene, Phytol, Pulegone, Bergamotene, Farnesene, Delta-3-Carene, Elemene, Fenchol, Aromadendrene, Bisabolene, alpha-Bisabolol, Borneol, Eucalyptol, Cineole and mixtures of these. In addition to smell and taste, these auxiliary components purportedly can provide synergistic medicinal properties. Excessive and/or prolonged heating of these terpenes can volatilize them removing them from the extract which can be detrimental to the efficacy of the extract.
The above extracts can be combined with other ingredients such as sugar, starch, oils, fats (e.g., vegetable fats) and jelly prior to portioning. In some embodiments, the materials are not heated above about 120 degrees Celsius while being extruded. For example, the material can be extruded at temperatures between about room temperature and 100 degrees Celsius (e.g., between about 40 and about 100 degrees Celsius, between about 40 and 80 degrees Celsius). In addition, in some embodiments the material is not heated for prolonged periods of time, such as for less than about 30 min (e.g., less than about 20 minutes, less than about 10 minutes). Control of the temperature can avoid the decomposition and/or volatilization of terpenes. For example, using a multi-zone temperature controller a chamber can be heated to a first temperature that avoids decomposition of terpenes but allow flow of material, and a nozzle can be heated to a higher temperature to provide better flow of the material and limited exposure of the material to the higher temperature. It is understood that, since the chamber/syringe holding materials is a closed system, loss of volatile materials is expected to be minimal until the material is extruded.
In some other embodiments, temperatures above about 110 degrees Celsius may be desired. For example, temperatures above 110 degrees can be utilized if decarboxylation of THC is desired.
Embodiments of the various aspects described herein can be illustrated by the following numbered paragraphs.
1. A method of partitioning a material, the method comprising;
An extruder such as described by
An extruder and multi-zone heater assembly as described by
In a comparative experiment, only the heater closest to the nozzle was utilized. The coconut oil used at room temperature was a waxy solid. Although material did extrude from the nozzle when the temperature was set at 50 degrees C., the extrusion was irregular due to intermittent blocking due to solid material temporarily blocking the nozzle before melting.
A 3D printer as described in Example 2 was used to fill and array of 10 silicone containers have each a volume of 5 mL and being cylindrical in shape. The array was set in an acrylic tray having holes cut therein commensurate with the containers. The extruder was charged with caramel (Kraft™ Caramels) diluted with water to reduce the viscosity. The extruder heaters were set to 70 degrees Celsius. Three different weights were targeted for each set of 10 containers. The results are shown in the Table.
In a comparative experiment, only the heater closest to the extruder nozzle was utilized. It was found that material did not extrude out easily when this was set at 70 degrees. In some tests the extruder cracked due to high pressures required. In other tests, the temperature was raised (e.g., ˜110 degrees C.) and some extrusion occurred but the material was discolored, indicating temperature induced decomposition of the material.
Other than in the examples herein, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages, such as those for amounts of materials, elemental contents, times and temperatures of reaction, ratios of amounts, and others, in the following portion of the specification and attached claims may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains error necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in its underlying respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges are set forth herein, these ranges are inclusive of the recited range end points (e.g., end points may be used). When percentages by weight are used herein, the numerical values reported are relative to the total weight.
Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10. The terms “one,” “a,” or “an” as used herein are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more,” unless otherwise indicated. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless context clearly indicates otherwise.
Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to optional embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
This application claims any and all benefits as provided by law, including the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/371,574 filed Aug. 5, 2016 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62371574 | Aug 2016 | US |
