Mixing and dispensing curable multi-component materials

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11964248-B2
Application number	US-202117364547-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 30, 2021
Priority date	Dec 15, 2006
Publication date	Apr 23, 2024
Grant date	Apr 23, 2024

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, devices and systems for mixing and dispensing multi-component materials. The mixing and dispensing may be performed using a mobile, enclosed dispenser that can be used to supply a mixed multi-component material at the point of use. In some embodiments, the components to be mixed into the multi-component material may be supplied in cartridges.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A dispenser, comprising:
a housing;
a dynamic mixer attached to a front end of the housing;
a power source;
a compartment configured to hold a first component and a second component to be mixed, the first component and the second component are of a curable multi-component material;
a motor, wherein the motor is operably connected to the power source through a trigger switch;
a screw, wherein the motor is operably connected to a screw such that the motor rotates the screw about an axis;
a follower configured to move along the screw;
a plunger operably connected to the follower such that, as the follower moves along the screw, the plunger advances into the compartment to force the first component and the second component into the dynamic mixer, wherein rotation of the screw is configured to operate the dynamic mixer as the first component and second component are being forced through the dynamic mixer.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein a pistol-grip handle extends from the housing.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the dispenser is a mobile-dispenser.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the motor and follower is disposed within the housing.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the follower is disposed along the axis.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 , wherein the screw is configured to have directional control of the follower along the axis based upon a direction of rotation of the screw.

7. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the follower comprises a first follower and a second follower, the plunger comprises a first plunger and a second plunger, the first follower is operably connected to the first plunger that forces the first component into the mixing device, and the second follower is operably connected to a second plunger that forces the second component into the dynamic mixer.

8. The dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the first plunger and the second plunger are capable of being advanced independently of each other such that a volumetric ratio between the first and second components in first and second containers is controlled at least in part by the rate at which the plungers advance.

9. The further of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is removably attached to the dispenser.

10. The further of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is permanently attached to the dispenser.

11. The dispenser of claim 1 , the dynamic mixer comprising a first inlet in fluid communication with the first cavity and a second inlet in fluid communication with the second cavity, the dynamic mixer further comprising an outlet through which material exits the dynamic mixer after mixing.

12. The dispenser of claim 11 , further comprising a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is configured to operate moving elements of the dynamic mixer and is configured to be driven by the motor.

13. The dispenser of claim 12 , further comprising a gearbox operably coupled to the screw and the drive shaft, wherein the gearbox is capable of adjusting a rotational speed of the drive shaft such that it differs from the rotational speed of the screw.

14. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the follower operably connected to the screw such that rotation of the screw drives the follower axially relative to the screw.

15. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the follower is driven by a second motor.

16. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the plunger is driven by a chain drive, rack and pinion, or hydraulic drive.

17. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the screw is a ball screw or a lead screw.

18. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is capable of receiving a cartridge holding the first component and the second component.

19. The dispenser of claim 18 , wherein the cartridge comprises:
a cartridge housing releasably attachable to the dispenser, the cartridge housing comprising a first cavity located within the cartridge housing and a second cavity located within the cartridge housing, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity extend from a base end of the cartridge housing towards a dispensing end of the cartridge housing distal from the base end;
a first container located within the first cavity, the first container containing the first component;
a second container located within the second cavity, the second container containing the second component;
a mixer drive passageway extending through the cartridge housing and defining a drive axis; and
a drive shaft located within the mixer drive passageway, the drive shaft being adapted for releasable coupling to the dynamic mixer at the dispensing end while being adapted for releasable coupling to the drive mechanism of the mobile dispenser at the base end.

20. The dispenser of claim 18 , wherein the cartridge is configured to be loaded into the compartment through a front end of the dispenser.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Company

Inventors

• Janssen Jeffrey R
• Schulz Mark F
• Gullicks Scott D
• Keicher Dennis R
• Broyles Bruce R
• Simmers Ryan P
• Qiblawi Jameel R

Classifications

• B01F35/88 Primary

  by feeding the materials batchwise · CPC title

• A61C5/64

  for multi-component compositions · CPC title

• B01F27/092

  occupying substantially the whole interior space of the receptacle · CPC title

• B01F27/1125

  with vanes or blades extending parallel or oblique to the stirrer axis · CPC title

• B01F33/5011

  portable during use, e.g. hand-held · CPC title