CA2219264C - Weight-supported adjustable mixing and dispensing gun for two chemically reactive materials - Google Patents
Weight-supported adjustable mixing and dispensing gun for two chemically reactive materials Download PDFInfo
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- CA2219264C CA2219264C CA002219264A CA2219264A CA2219264C CA 2219264 C CA2219264 C CA 2219264C CA 002219264 A CA002219264 A CA 002219264A CA 2219264 A CA2219264 A CA 2219264A CA 2219264 C CA2219264 C CA 2219264C
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- gun
- dispensing
- mixing
- flexible hoses
- pivoted arm
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
- B05B15/60—Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus
- B05B15/62—Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
Abstract
A mixing and dispensing system for two reactive fluids, such as two-component polysulfide sealants, in which the dispensed fluids are supplied to a hand operated mixing and dispensing gun through a pair of flexible hoses suspended above the floor from a pivotal boom.
The flexible hoses are pivotally attached with swivel joints onto the inlets of the gun that are spaced on opposite lateral sides of the gun, and the swivels are rotatable about a common generally horizontal pivot axis. The gun is fully weight supported in an operative position above the floor with a tool balancer attached to the boom. The tool balancer includes an adjustably tensioned and extendable line that is pivotally attached to the top of the gun body and rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis. The gun passes the two reactive fluids separately through the gun body and mounted on the divided outlet of the gun is a disposable static mixer having a single inlet attached to an elongated spiral mixer tube that terminates in a dispensing outlet nozzle. A hand operated actuating trigger is mounted on the static mixer tube in close proximity to the dispensing outlet nozzle. The mixing and dispensing gun is lighter, generates less waste, and is more maneuverable than prior two component mixing and dispensing guns.
The flexible hoses are pivotally attached with swivel joints onto the inlets of the gun that are spaced on opposite lateral sides of the gun, and the swivels are rotatable about a common generally horizontal pivot axis. The gun is fully weight supported in an operative position above the floor with a tool balancer attached to the boom. The tool balancer includes an adjustably tensioned and extendable line that is pivotally attached to the top of the gun body and rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis. The gun passes the two reactive fluids separately through the gun body and mounted on the divided outlet of the gun is a disposable static mixer having a single inlet attached to an elongated spiral mixer tube that terminates in a dispensing outlet nozzle. A hand operated actuating trigger is mounted on the static mixer tube in close proximity to the dispensing outlet nozzle. The mixing and dispensing gun is lighter, generates less waste, and is more maneuverable than prior two component mixing and dispensing guns.
Description
- PATENT
WEIGHT-SUPPORTED ADJUSTABLE MIXING AND DISPENS:~TG GUN
FOR TWO CHEMIICALLY REACTIVE MATERIALS
Field of the Invention This invention relates to an apparatus for mixing and dispensing two chemically reactive fluids and, more particularly, to an easy-to-use, fully weight-supported in an operative position, and multiply pivoted hand-operated mixing and dispensing gun, especially suited to be used for applying two-component :polysulfide sealants to insulating glass units.
Back~~ourad of the Invention Two-component fluids, such ;~s reactive sealants or adhesives, are made up of two separate materials, that are initially stoned in separate containers, but which when intermixed, react chemically with one another to eventually form the desired hardened sealant or adhesive product. For example, polysulfide sealants that are used in the fabrication of insulating glass units, such as windows and doors, in order to provide seals against moisture intrusion and heat loss, include a first viscous curable poilymeric material, such as a polysulflde base resin, and a second viscous material, such as a cati~lyst or hardener for the base resin.
After intermixing, the reactive fluids are often dispensed from a hand-held dispensing gun and applied to the work piece in a bead containing the desired amount of intermixed components.
A variety of systems have been employed for mixing and dispensing two-component reactive fluids. In earlier systems, it is common to pump the two fluids from their individual storage vessels through two flexible hosfa, that are supported on an elevated pivoted arm, into a motionless premixer that freely hangs down in air from the pivoted arm.
Usually, the flexible hoses are attached by rigid connections, such as with standard fittings, to the inlet of - _ CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
a motionless premixer. The two fluids are then directed through the premixer for homogeneous mixing prior to being dispensed. Next, the mixed components ;are directed from the premixer outlet to the inlet of a generally unsupported hand-held dispensing gun that freely hangs down from the premixer to the floor. Usually, a single flexible hose:
rigidly connects the premixer outlet to the dispensing gun inlet. The dispensing gun tyyically includes a dispensing valve in the body of the gun actuated by a finger trigger on the han d grip of the gun for the operator to control the mixed fluid flow to an outlet nozzle. The hand-held dispensing gun when not in use is usually placed on a hook suspending down from the pivoted arm, so that the gun does not drag on the floor when not in use.
The use of premixers makes these dispensing systems much mare complex and cumbersome, and also results in waste in the portion of the fluids left in the, premixer or gun after mixing, particularly in instances where the mixed fluids are not immediately dispensed.
Since the mixture tends to cure and take a set when brought together, the mixed material that remains in the equipment is not only wasted, but also if not purged quickl~r from the system with either solvent from a separate line or one of the unmixed components passed alone through the system, it necessitates taking the premixer and gun apart for expensive and time-consuming solvent cleaning to clear the obstructed flow passages. The cleaning solvents or unmixed purged components used to clear the system must also be disposed of as hazardous waste, which leads to increased operating costs.
Moreover, in such earlier systems, the dispensing gun and premixer .are too heavy and bulky, and, as a result, movement and positioning of the gun are difficult and cumbersome.
Also, the rigidity of the connections established between the flexible hosing and the premixer and dispensing gun adds to the difficulty that the operator experiences in maneuvering the gun.
Accordingly, it is necessary for the operator handling the dispensing; gun to expend considerable energy in manually supporting and maneuvering the dispensing ~;un, premixer and attached hoses. As a consequence, tile operator commonly experiences fatigue, muscle strain and other physical maladies. Also, the resulting difficulty in properly positioning the dispensing over the work piece gun exactly as desired causes improF~er or incomplete
WEIGHT-SUPPORTED ADJUSTABLE MIXING AND DISPENS:~TG GUN
FOR TWO CHEMIICALLY REACTIVE MATERIALS
Field of the Invention This invention relates to an apparatus for mixing and dispensing two chemically reactive fluids and, more particularly, to an easy-to-use, fully weight-supported in an operative position, and multiply pivoted hand-operated mixing and dispensing gun, especially suited to be used for applying two-component :polysulfide sealants to insulating glass units.
Back~~ourad of the Invention Two-component fluids, such ;~s reactive sealants or adhesives, are made up of two separate materials, that are initially stoned in separate containers, but which when intermixed, react chemically with one another to eventually form the desired hardened sealant or adhesive product. For example, polysulfide sealants that are used in the fabrication of insulating glass units, such as windows and doors, in order to provide seals against moisture intrusion and heat loss, include a first viscous curable poilymeric material, such as a polysulflde base resin, and a second viscous material, such as a cati~lyst or hardener for the base resin.
After intermixing, the reactive fluids are often dispensed from a hand-held dispensing gun and applied to the work piece in a bead containing the desired amount of intermixed components.
A variety of systems have been employed for mixing and dispensing two-component reactive fluids. In earlier systems, it is common to pump the two fluids from their individual storage vessels through two flexible hosfa, that are supported on an elevated pivoted arm, into a motionless premixer that freely hangs down in air from the pivoted arm.
Usually, the flexible hoses are attached by rigid connections, such as with standard fittings, to the inlet of - _ CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
a motionless premixer. The two fluids are then directed through the premixer for homogeneous mixing prior to being dispensed. Next, the mixed components ;are directed from the premixer outlet to the inlet of a generally unsupported hand-held dispensing gun that freely hangs down from the premixer to the floor. Usually, a single flexible hose:
rigidly connects the premixer outlet to the dispensing gun inlet. The dispensing gun tyyically includes a dispensing valve in the body of the gun actuated by a finger trigger on the han d grip of the gun for the operator to control the mixed fluid flow to an outlet nozzle. The hand-held dispensing gun when not in use is usually placed on a hook suspending down from the pivoted arm, so that the gun does not drag on the floor when not in use.
The use of premixers makes these dispensing systems much mare complex and cumbersome, and also results in waste in the portion of the fluids left in the, premixer or gun after mixing, particularly in instances where the mixed fluids are not immediately dispensed.
Since the mixture tends to cure and take a set when brought together, the mixed material that remains in the equipment is not only wasted, but also if not purged quickl~r from the system with either solvent from a separate line or one of the unmixed components passed alone through the system, it necessitates taking the premixer and gun apart for expensive and time-consuming solvent cleaning to clear the obstructed flow passages. The cleaning solvents or unmixed purged components used to clear the system must also be disposed of as hazardous waste, which leads to increased operating costs.
Moreover, in such earlier systems, the dispensing gun and premixer .are too heavy and bulky, and, as a result, movement and positioning of the gun are difficult and cumbersome.
Also, the rigidity of the connections established between the flexible hosing and the premixer and dispensing gun adds to the difficulty that the operator experiences in maneuvering the gun.
Accordingly, it is necessary for the operator handling the dispensing; gun to expend considerable energy in manually supporting and maneuvering the dispensing ~;un, premixer and attached hoses. As a consequence, tile operator commonly experiences fatigue, muscle strain and other physical maladies. Also, the resulting difficulty in properly positioning the dispensing over the work piece gun exactly as desired causes improF~er or incomplete
-2-PATENT
application of the fluid onto the work piece, adversely affecting the quality of the work product.
In another type of dispensing; system that has been proposed, the afi~resaid assembly is rearranged such that the motionless mixer is placed at the outlet of the hand-held dispensing gun. In such a system, the two separate fluid components are fed individually to the gun, passed separately through valued ports in the gun that are controlled by the operator actuating the finger trigger on the hand grip of the gun, and finally brought into contact with each other in the static mixer attached to the outlet nozzle of the gun. The static mixer is usually attached to the gun outlet in a removal manner, and is designed to be disposed and replaced after use, in order to avoid the necessity of wasteful and expensive purging and cleaning of any part of the gun which comes into contact with mixed fluid components. The static mixer includes a rather elongated body from which i:he mixed material is directed to an outlet nozzle at the remote end of the mixer.
One of the problems with such an arrangement is that elongated static mixer body causes the dispensing nozzle to be positioned a great distance away from the actuating trigger located on the hand grip of the gun, which arrangement makes the ~;un difficult and cumbersome to use. The intricacies of the parts, including channels and grooves, in which the reactive material is to be deposited requires the gun to be positioned with yrecision over the work piece. Improper positioning during application adversely affects the qu;~lity of the work.
The dispensing nozzle, however, being positioned so far away from the actuating trigger on the hand grip where the operator holds the gun causes the operator to lose control of the nozzle during application.
Also, the gun body is too heavy, bulky and unbalanced, which tends to force the dispensing nozzle to move out of position, either upwardly or downwardly, during application.
The rigidity of the flexible hose connections to the gun adds to the difficulty in maneuverability of the gun. The operator, therefore, has to expend considerable energy to not only manually support and guide the gun and the attached hoses into position, but also once in position, he has to expend a significant amount of additional energy evf,n to maintain the
application of the fluid onto the work piece, adversely affecting the quality of the work product.
In another type of dispensing; system that has been proposed, the afi~resaid assembly is rearranged such that the motionless mixer is placed at the outlet of the hand-held dispensing gun. In such a system, the two separate fluid components are fed individually to the gun, passed separately through valued ports in the gun that are controlled by the operator actuating the finger trigger on the hand grip of the gun, and finally brought into contact with each other in the static mixer attached to the outlet nozzle of the gun. The static mixer is usually attached to the gun outlet in a removal manner, and is designed to be disposed and replaced after use, in order to avoid the necessity of wasteful and expensive purging and cleaning of any part of the gun which comes into contact with mixed fluid components. The static mixer includes a rather elongated body from which i:he mixed material is directed to an outlet nozzle at the remote end of the mixer.
One of the problems with such an arrangement is that elongated static mixer body causes the dispensing nozzle to be positioned a great distance away from the actuating trigger located on the hand grip of the gun, which arrangement makes the ~;un difficult and cumbersome to use. The intricacies of the parts, including channels and grooves, in which the reactive material is to be deposited requires the gun to be positioned with yrecision over the work piece. Improper positioning during application adversely affects the qu;~lity of the work.
The dispensing nozzle, however, being positioned so far away from the actuating trigger on the hand grip where the operator holds the gun causes the operator to lose control of the nozzle during application.
Also, the gun body is too heavy, bulky and unbalanced, which tends to force the dispensing nozzle to move out of position, either upwardly or downwardly, during application.
The rigidity of the flexible hose connections to the gun adds to the difficulty in maneuverability of the gun. The operator, therefore, has to expend considerable energy to not only manually support and guide the gun and the attached hoses into position, but also once in position, he has to expend a significant amount of additional energy evf,n to maintain the
-3-PATENT
nozzle in the proper position. The exb~nsive manual movement and effort required to support, maneuver and position the gun and attached hoses commonly causes the operator to experience strain and fatigue in this system as well.
U. S . Pat. 4, 643, 336 to Mandeville et al. discloses a mixing and dispensing gun including a hand-held gun body having a hand grip, an actuating trigger on th~~ hand grip, and spaced inlets in the gun for separately receiving two components of a reactive fluid from flexible hoses. The flexible hoses are: pivotally suspended from a pivoted arm, yet the hoses are rigidly connected with standard fnttings to the gun inlets. A dispensing ~ralve is included in the gun and is actuated by the trigger, and a vertically, rather than horizontally, elongated static mixer is threadedly attached to the gun, with the mixer being interposed between the dispensing valve and outlet nozzle of the gun. The vertically elongated static mixer reduces the overall length of the gun and, consequently, brings the dispensing nozzle and gun closer to the work surface to improve the control of fluid placement during open~tion, as well as making the gun less cumbersome.
However, the mixing and dispensing gun is not weight supported on the pivoted arm in an operative position and hangs freely down therefrom to the floor. The gun is also rigidly connected to the flexible hoses that deliver the two components into the gun.
For the same reasons as previously discussed, the operator using the system of MandevillE~
et al. must still exert considerable effort to manually support and maneuver the gun and attached hoses into the proper position over the work surface.
U.S. Pat. 5,330,106 to Braun, Jr. discloses a hand-held mixing anc! dispensing gun having the two flexible supply hoses attached to the gun by rotatable swivel connectors to facilitate ease of movement of the gun relative to the flexible hoses. A
swivel connector is rotatably mounted on each end portion of a cylindrical distributor that is rigidly attached to the rear of the gun remote from the valued outlet nozzle. The swivel connectors include separate inlets connected to the two supply hose ends, with the swivel inlet; also being in communication with separate distributor conduits which, in turn, communicate with the separate conduits attached to the disF~ensing nozzle of the gun.
nozzle in the proper position. The exb~nsive manual movement and effort required to support, maneuver and position the gun and attached hoses commonly causes the operator to experience strain and fatigue in this system as well.
U. S . Pat. 4, 643, 336 to Mandeville et al. discloses a mixing and dispensing gun including a hand-held gun body having a hand grip, an actuating trigger on th~~ hand grip, and spaced inlets in the gun for separately receiving two components of a reactive fluid from flexible hoses. The flexible hoses are: pivotally suspended from a pivoted arm, yet the hoses are rigidly connected with standard fnttings to the gun inlets. A dispensing ~ralve is included in the gun and is actuated by the trigger, and a vertically, rather than horizontally, elongated static mixer is threadedly attached to the gun, with the mixer being interposed between the dispensing valve and outlet nozzle of the gun. The vertically elongated static mixer reduces the overall length of the gun and, consequently, brings the dispensing nozzle and gun closer to the work surface to improve the control of fluid placement during open~tion, as well as making the gun less cumbersome.
However, the mixing and dispensing gun is not weight supported on the pivoted arm in an operative position and hangs freely down therefrom to the floor. The gun is also rigidly connected to the flexible hoses that deliver the two components into the gun.
For the same reasons as previously discussed, the operator using the system of MandevillE~
et al. must still exert considerable effort to manually support and maneuver the gun and attached hoses into the proper position over the work surface.
U.S. Pat. 5,330,106 to Braun, Jr. discloses a hand-held mixing anc! dispensing gun having the two flexible supply hoses attached to the gun by rotatable swivel connectors to facilitate ease of movement of the gun relative to the flexible hoses. A
swivel connector is rotatably mounted on each end portion of a cylindrical distributor that is rigidly attached to the rear of the gun remote from the valued outlet nozzle. The swivel connectors include separate inlets connected to the two supply hose ends, with the swivel inlet; also being in communication with separate distributor conduits which, in turn, communicate with the separate conduits attached to the disF~ensing nozzle of the gun.
-4-_ CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
Since both hoses are connectedl to the distributor with the use of swivels rotatable about a common axis, improved flexibility between the gun and hoses is achieved, and pivoting the dispenser gun relative to the hoses is said to require less effort.
Furthermore, the swivel connections between the hoses and ,gun are said to reduce the hose weight imposed on the dispenser gun. In another embodiment of Braun, Jr. , the distributer is rotatably connected to the gun having a pivot axis perpendicularly disposed to the common hose swivel axis. The distributor in this arrangement may :itself swivel relative to the gun, which is said to further enhance the flexibility and allow thr~~ dimensional adj ustment of the gun.
In Braun, Jr. , however, the gu,n remains unsupported and generally h~mgs down freely from the flexible hoses, that are supported on the dispensing system, towards the floor. The operator, therefore, must still exert considerable effort to manually weight support and manually maneuver the gun and attached hoses to the proper position over the work surface.
Furthermore, properly aiming the g;un of Braun, Jr. and manually holding the gun in the proper position during application would be expected to be difficult, sina~
with the added flexibility, the bottom heavy gun would be expected to rotate downwardl3~, making nozzle control and proper positioning difficult.
What is needed is an improved apparatus for mixing and dispensing; two-component reactive fluids that includes a gun which will both mix and dispense the fluids, which is less bulky and cumbersome than prior systems, which produces less waste and what little waste it produces is readily removed, which will bring the hand operated trigger closer to the outlet nozzle so that the operator can hold th.e gun closer to the point of application for better control of fluid placement, which is fully weight supported in an operative position arid, consequently, has less total weight than prior systems for ease of use and reduction in tree occurrences of operator fatigue and muscle strains, and which is pivoted at multiple locati~~ns for improved flexibility and maneuverability.
Since both hoses are connectedl to the distributor with the use of swivels rotatable about a common axis, improved flexibility between the gun and hoses is achieved, and pivoting the dispenser gun relative to the hoses is said to require less effort.
Furthermore, the swivel connections between the hoses and ,gun are said to reduce the hose weight imposed on the dispenser gun. In another embodiment of Braun, Jr. , the distributer is rotatably connected to the gun having a pivot axis perpendicularly disposed to the common hose swivel axis. The distributor in this arrangement may :itself swivel relative to the gun, which is said to further enhance the flexibility and allow thr~~ dimensional adj ustment of the gun.
In Braun, Jr. , however, the gu,n remains unsupported and generally h~mgs down freely from the flexible hoses, that are supported on the dispensing system, towards the floor. The operator, therefore, must still exert considerable effort to manually weight support and manually maneuver the gun and attached hoses to the proper position over the work surface.
Furthermore, properly aiming the g;un of Braun, Jr. and manually holding the gun in the proper position during application would be expected to be difficult, sina~
with the added flexibility, the bottom heavy gun would be expected to rotate downwardl3~, making nozzle control and proper positioning difficult.
What is needed is an improved apparatus for mixing and dispensing; two-component reactive fluids that includes a gun which will both mix and dispense the fluids, which is less bulky and cumbersome than prior systems, which produces less waste and what little waste it produces is readily removed, which will bring the hand operated trigger closer to the outlet nozzle so that the operator can hold th.e gun closer to the point of application for better control of fluid placement, which is fully weight supported in an operative position arid, consequently, has less total weight than prior systems for ease of use and reduction in tree occurrences of operator fatigue and muscle strains, and which is pivoted at multiple locati~~ns for improved flexibility and maneuverability.
-5-PATENT
It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved two-component mixing and dispensing system including a fully mechanically weight-supported in a ready-to-use position and multiply pivoted mixing and dispensing gun.
It is another object of this invention to provide a mixing and dispensing; gun that is fully mechanically weight supported in an operative position and balanced, in order to reduce the total weight of the gun and make thc: gun less cumbersome and easier to operate.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a mixing and di;~pensing gun that passes two reactive fluids separately through the gun and has an elongated disposable static mixer placed on the outlet of the dispK~nsing gun, in order to reduce the amount of mixed waste during start-up and shut-down, and eliminate essentially all solvent cleaning or base purging during shut-down, since the static mixer may be discarded after use.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a mixing and dispensing gun with a hand-held actuating trigger placed on the elongated end of the static mixer' tube, in order to reduce the distance between the operator's hand that holds the hand trigger and the dispensing outlet nozzle for better control of fluid placement on the work surface.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a mixing and dispensing gun with reactive fluid feed lines and support lines being pivotally attached to the;
gun in multiple locations for improved flexibility arid maneuverability and reduced line lcinking.
In accomplishing these and other objects, the invention resides in a mixing and dispensing system for two chemically reactive fluids, which is characterized by: a pump means for supplying two chemically reactive fluids separately through two flexible hoses; an elongated pivoted arm for pivotally supporting the two flexible hoses z~bove a generally horizontal plane with a front end of each of the flexible hoses hanging belnw the pivot arm, the pivoted arm being rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis; a mixing and dispensing gun including a body having two spaced inlets on opposite sides of .the gun bndy for separately receiving the two fluids from the two flexible hoses, and two spaced outlet;
on a front of the gun body for separately dispensing the two fluids from the gun, a dispensing valve in the gun
It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved two-component mixing and dispensing system including a fully mechanically weight-supported in a ready-to-use position and multiply pivoted mixing and dispensing gun.
It is another object of this invention to provide a mixing and dispensing; gun that is fully mechanically weight supported in an operative position and balanced, in order to reduce the total weight of the gun and make thc: gun less cumbersome and easier to operate.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a mixing and di;~pensing gun that passes two reactive fluids separately through the gun and has an elongated disposable static mixer placed on the outlet of the dispK~nsing gun, in order to reduce the amount of mixed waste during start-up and shut-down, and eliminate essentially all solvent cleaning or base purging during shut-down, since the static mixer may be discarded after use.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a mixing and dispensing gun with a hand-held actuating trigger placed on the elongated end of the static mixer' tube, in order to reduce the distance between the operator's hand that holds the hand trigger and the dispensing outlet nozzle for better control of fluid placement on the work surface.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a mixing and dispensing gun with reactive fluid feed lines and support lines being pivotally attached to the;
gun in multiple locations for improved flexibility arid maneuverability and reduced line lcinking.
In accomplishing these and other objects, the invention resides in a mixing and dispensing system for two chemically reactive fluids, which is characterized by: a pump means for supplying two chemically reactive fluids separately through two flexible hoses; an elongated pivoted arm for pivotally supporting the two flexible hoses z~bove a generally horizontal plane with a front end of each of the flexible hoses hanging belnw the pivot arm, the pivoted arm being rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis; a mixing and dispensing gun including a body having two spaced inlets on opposite sides of .the gun bndy for separately receiving the two fluids from the two flexible hoses, and two spaced outlet;
on a front of the gun body for separately dispensing the two fluids from the gun, a dispensing valve in the gun
-6-PATENT
body for controlling the flow of the two fluids out through the two outlets, with the front ends of the two flexible hoses being separately pivotally attached to the two spaced inlets with two swivel connectors having flow channels defined therein, the swivels being rotatable about a common generally horizontal pivot axis and in flow communication with the flexible hoses and spaced inlets in all rotative positions; a static mixer including an elongated mixing tube having an inlet at one end connected to the two outlets of the gun body and an dispensing outlet nozzle at the opposite elongated end, and statiionary mixing elements disposed in the mixing tube; an actuating trigger positioned on the ;>tatic mixing tube in close proximity t~~
the dispensing nozzle outlet end of the mixing tube for actuating the dispensing valves in the: gun body; and, means for weight supporting the bot3y of the mixing and dispensing gun above a generally horizontal plane in an operative positicm, the weight support means extending i:rom the pivoted arm and being pivotally attached to the: top of the gun body, with the support means including a swivel being rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis, the pivot axis being substantially perpendicular to the common generally horizontal pivot axis of the swivel connectors.
The various objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description.
Brief Descriytion of the Drawings There are shown in the drawings certain exemplary embodiments of the invention as presently preferred. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments and is capable of variation within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
With this description of the invention, a detailed description follows with reference to the drawings, in which like referencE: numerals denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view oiP a mixing and dispensing system embodying the weight-supported, mufti-pivoted mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is side view of the mi~u~g and dispensing gun of the present imrention, with the gun being tilted on its side for clarity;
. _ CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
FIG. 3 is a fractional exploded view, partly in section, of the mixini~ and dispensing gun of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of an exemplary swivel connector thstt can be used to establish multiple pivotal flow connections in the mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a front view, partly 'in section, of an exemplary balancer that can be used to weight support, in an operative position, the mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the balancer of FIG. 5 taken alon~; line 6-6;
FIG. 7 is a schematic of an exemplary air flow circuit for deaetivatin;g the mixing and dispensing gun of the present inventiion; and, FIG. 8 is a schematic of an exemplary air flow circuit for activating the mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention.
Detailed Descriytion of the Preferred Embod'ments of the nvention Referring to FIG. 1, the dispensing system embodying the invention is generally shown as 10 and includes supply vessels 12 and 14 respectively housing two chemically reactive fluids that ne~cl to be metered and mixed before dispensing, such as a polysulfide lass resin 16 and a catalyst 18. The dispensing system 10 also includes pumps 20 and 22 for the resin and catalyst, respectively, such as positive: displacement pumps operated with air motors driven by compressed air. The pumps 20 and 22 respectively direct the fluids from the supply vessels 12 and 14 through separate flexible hoses 24 and 26 to separate inlets of manifolds 28 and 29 which contain separate flow ports 30 and 32 (shown in phantom) for both the base resin and catalyst.
The catalyst hose 26, in particular, communicates with a standard metering cylinder 34, such as a positive displacement pump, prior to entering the catalyst inlet in the manifold 29.
The metering cylinder 34 is used to provide the correct mix ratio of resin t~~
catalyst flowing through the manifolds 28 and 29. ,As shown in FIG. 1, a cylinder linkage: 36 is attached to _g_ ,. CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
both the resin pump 20 and the catalyst metering cylinder 34. Upon every stroke of the resin pump 20, the metering cylinder 34 pivots a set distance which draws a properly proportioned amount of catalyst into the catalyst part 32 in the manifold 29, as the desired. amount of resin is simultaneously pumped separately into the resin port 30 in the manifold 28.
Flexible hoses 40 and 42 for the resin and catalyst, respectively, are separately attached to separate outlets in the manifolds 28 and 29. 1'he flexible hoses 40 and 42 eventually direct the fluids individually to a mixing aJnd dispensing gun 44.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the flexible hoses 40 and 42 are sup~p~orted generally horizontally above the floor 46 on a pivoted arm or boom 48 that is rotatatbly attached by a pivot joint 50 to a ram post 38 associated with the resin pumping unit. The boom 48 is rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis. The boom 48 extends outwardly a substantial radial distance from the ram post 38 and the resin pumping unit in order to provide enough clearance for an operator to adequately maneuver the dispensing gun 44.
The flexible hoses 40 and 42 resting upon the boom 48 are attached to a manifold block 52 mounted on top of the boom 48 generally at its outermost end. The manifold 52 includes separate flow ports 54 and 56 (shown in phantom) for the base resin and catalyst, respectively.
The resin flow port 54 contains about a 90~ upward bend, so that the resin is directed to exit at the top of the manifold 52. A standard swivel joint or swivel connector 58 is rotatably mounted around a generally vertical rotational axis to the outlet of the manifold resin port 54 at the top of the manifold 52.
An exemplary swivel connE:ctor 58, as shown in partial section in FIGS. 2 and 4, generally includes an elongated cylindrical swivel tube 60 that is suitably connected to the outlet of the resin port 54. The tube 60 includes an inlet port 62 at the end connected to the resin port 54 and radial ports 64 disposed around the circumference of the tube at a selected distance along its length. The portion of the tube having the radial ports E4 is rotatably and sealingly housed in an outer swivel sleeve 66. The sleeve 66 generally surrounds the radial ports 64 and contains an outlet port 68, which is generally perpendicular tn the inlet port 62 and alignable with at least one of the radial ports 64 in all rotative positions, thereby allowing PATENT
325l-03-00 open flow communication between the inlet port 62 and outlet port 68 when the swivel sleeve 66 is rotated in every pivotal position.
Referring again to FIG. 2, a generally horizontally elongated pivoted arm 70 having an internal resin port 72 (shown in phantom) extending therethrough is suitably connected to the outlet port 68 of the swivel connector 58. The pivoted arm 70 extends outwardly a shortened radial distance from the remote end of the boom 48 and is pivotal around the generally vertical swivel axis provided by the swivel connector 58, in order to allow the operator to further extend the dispensvng gun 44 away from the resin ram post 38 and pumping units, providing additional room for the operator to maneuver the gun,. It should be understood that the manifold and swivel connector may be arranged so that. the pivoted arm is positioned below rather than above the boom to allow complete rotation of the pivoted arm about the pivot axis.
Suitably attached to the outlet ~of the catalyst port 56 which extends axially through the manifold 52 is a second swivel connector 74 having generally perpendicular inlet and outlet ports 76 and 78. The swivel connector 74 is pivotal around a generally horizontal rotational axis. The swivel connector 74, as shown, is generally of the same configuration as that of the aforesaid swivel connector 58. A flee;ible hose 80 for the catalyst is suitably connected to the outlet port 78 of the swivel connector 74 and is supported upon the pivoted arm 70 along its length. The swivel connector 74 prevents lcinlcing of the catalyst hose 80 during rotation of the pivoted arm 70 as an operator positions the dispensing gun 44.
A flexible hose 82 for the resin is suitably connected to the resin outlet port on the outermost extension end of the pivoted arm 70. The flexible resin hose 8:? and the flexible catalyst hose 80 hang freely down from the pivoted arm 70 towards the flobr but preferably do not reach the floor. Each hose 82 and 80 is individually attached through :swivel connectors 84 and 869 respectively, to separate rESin and catalyst inlet ports 88 and 90 on opposite lateral sides of the dispensing gun 44. The swivel connectors 84 and 86 are generally of the same configuration as that of the aforementioned swivel connectors 58 and 74. The swivel connectors 84 and 86 are rotatable around a common generally horizonti~l rotational axis, ~
. CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
which improves the pivoting of the dispensing gun 44 relative to the flexible hoses 80 and 82 and dramatically reduces the effort required to maneuver the gun.
The top portion of the dispensing gun 44 is suspended above the floor 46 with a tensioned line 92 that is used to counter balance and fully weight-support the dispensing gun 44 in an operative position above the floor 46, thereby eliminating the need fir an operator to manually weight support a heavy and cumbersome dispensing gun. The tension and length of the line 92 can both be adjusted using a standard tool balancer 94 that is suitably mounted to the pivoted arm 70 and from which the line 92 extends. The tool balancer 94 is preferably mounted to the arm 70 such that it is pivotal up to about 30~ from a generaly vertical axis.
The lower end of the balancer line 92 is looped and pivotally connected to the top of the dispensing gun 44.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an exemplary tool balancer is shown. With this tool balancer, the amount of overhang of the line 92 can be adj usted in order to set the initial elevation of the gun 44 above the floor 46 by moving up and down a movable stop 93 that is releasably secured to the line 92. The line 92 is also spring tensioned to supF~ort the gun 44 at the selected elevation without having the line descend towards the floor from the weight of the gun. To adjust the line tension, a tension knob 95 is rotated in a clockwise direction which action tensions the main spring in the; balancer. The balancer is also equipped with a tension release button 97 to selectively release tension in the line 92.
Referring again to FIG. 3, a snap swivel 96 is used to pivotally corm ect the top of the dispensing gun to the tool balancer line 92. The snap swivel includes an upper snap clip 98 and a lower ring 100. The snap clip 98 and ring 100 are rotatably connected together by a pivot connecting rod 102 and are rotatable around a generally vertical pivot axis. The upper snap clip 98 is connected to a tool clip ring 103 which is relea.sably attached to the looped end of the balancer line 92. The lower ring 100 is releasably attached 'to a hanger and plug combination 104 that is threadedly attached to the top of the dispensing gun 4~~. The pivot axis of the snap swivel 96 is arranged to be substantially perpendicular relative to the common PATENT
swivel axis of the two swivel conne~~tors 84 and 86 for three dimensional movement of the gun.
The dispensing gun 44 in the aforesaid arrangement is not only entirely weight-supported in an operative position, which allows the operator to maneuver tile gun with very little effort, but also is adj ustable im height and along multiple pivot axes to allow three dimensional pivoting of the gun for better control of fluid placement on the ~~rork surface and reduced line kinking. It should be understood that other methods may b a used to weight support and balance the gun in an operative position as well, such as counterbalancing the gun with a spring supported on the pivoted arm and the like.
The dispensing gun 44 can be of any standard construction as is well known in the art for mixing and dispensing two-component reactive fluids. It is preferred that the gun allow f~ khe ~tecor~ponen~ tote-fed individually through the gun, passed sE:parately through valued outlet ports that are controlled by an actuating trigger, and brought into contact with each other upon reaching an elongated mixing chamber attached to the valued outlet ports of the gun, with the mixing chamber having an outlet nozzle from which the rr~ixed components are discharged. Although the dispensing gun will be described below with reference to a pneumatic or air actuated gun, the present invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment.
Referring now to both FIGS. 2 and 3, an exemplary dispensing gun 44 as shown includes a generally rectangular body 106 having separate resin and catalyst inlet ports 88 and 90 on opposite sides of the body which, respectively, lead to separate elongated fluid passages 108 and 110 extending in the body. 'The two fluid components are passed separately along the passages 108 and 110 through two valued outlet ports 112 and 1l4 for controlling the dispensing of the two fluids separately through a divided outlet opening 116.
The dispensing valves controlling the valued outlet ports 112 and :l14 can be of any standard construction as is well known in the art. The valves as shown are air trigger actuated valves and include interconnected movable valve needles 118 and 120 which in the normally closed position respectively urge snuff rings I22 and 124 against valve seats I26 and I28 in PATENT
order to close the seats and prevent fluid flow past the valued outlet ports 112 and 114 and out through the divided outlet 116.
'The movement of the valve needles 118 and 120 and, thus, the opening and closing of the valued outlet ports 112 and 114 are controlled by an air piston 134 driven by compressed air that as supplied into the body of the gun. The compressed air is directeii into one of two air chambers 130 and 132 in the top rear of the gun body, which respectively control the opening and closing of the valued outlet ports. 1fie open and close air chambers 130 and 132, respectively, are sealingly divided from one another with a movable air piston 134 which interconnects the valve needles 118 and 120. Air pressure directed against the head of the piston 134 in one of the chambers causes movement of the piston and tree interconnected needles, consequently either opening or closing the valued outlet ports 112 and 114. When opened, the valve needles I18 and ~~20 allow for the flow of the respective fluids from their separate passages 108 and 110 through the divided outlet l16 in order to mix together in a standard motionless or static mixer 136 that is attached to the divided gun outlet.
IS The passage of air selectively into one of the two chambers I30 andl I32 to cause the opening and closing of the air actuated valves is controlled by pivoting an actuating air trigger 138, as will be described more fully described hereinafter.
The static mixer I36 is threadedly attached to the divided outlet 116. The static mixer 136 includes an elongated spiral mixer tube 140 and running substantially th.e entire length of the spiral mixer tube 140 are spiral mixer elements 142. The spiral mixer elements 142 are composed of pairs of helical vanes spiralexi in opposite directions about a common longitudinal axis along the length of the spiral mixer tube 140, as is well known in the a~~t. The pattern of the spiral mixer elements allows homogeneous swirling and mixing of the resin and catalyst as they pass through the length of the spiral mixer tube 140. The st;~tic mixer 136 is removably housed in an elongated outer tubular jacket I44 that is threadedly attached to the divided outlet l16.
The static mixer 136, including the spiral mixer tube 140 and spiral mixer elements 142, is preferably molded of an inexpensive plastic material so that after dispensing, mixed PATENT
and catalyzed resin need not be removed from the tube. Instead of rinsing with hazardous solvents or purging with costly unmixed base resin, the static mixer l36 is removed and set aside until the mixed material hardens. within the mixer tube 140. After the material has set, the tube and static mixer pose no environmental hazard and can simply be thrown away after use, thereby eliminating solvent cleaning or base purging and the creation of costly and hazardous waste therefrom.
After passing through the static mixer 136, the mixed fluids are directed to an outlet nozzle 146 at the outermost end of the outer jacket 144. Dispensing tips 148 having the desired configuration for the particular application can be threadedly connected to the single outlet nozzle 146.
The dispensing gun is activated with a hand-held actuating air trigger 138 that communicates witha supply ofcom~ryssed air from an air supply is-mounted ~~n the outlet end of the outer jacket 144. The air trigger 138 is positioned in close proximity to the outlet nozzle 146 and dispensing tip attachment 148 for better control of fluid ylacement by the operator. Rather than having the tJ-igger positioned on the body of the gun 44 which is a substantial distance away from the outlet and dispensing tip, the hand operated trigger in the present invention is positioned closer to the outlet nozzle 146 and dispensing tip 148, which allows the operator to hold the gun closer to the point of application for better dispensing control. lass effort is, therefore, required to properly position and maintain the gun over the work surface.
The air trigger 138 can be made of any standard construction. As shown in FIG.
3, an exemplary air trigger 138 is a 4-way valve which includes a depressible finger button 150 connect~i to a spring biased valve stem 152 that is movably contained in a channel 154 formed in a trigger housing 156. The channen 154 is provided in flow communication.
with an air inlet port 158 on one side of the housing 156 and two spaced apart air outlet port;>
160 and 162 on the opposite side. Depending on the. position of the valve stem l52 in the channel, only one of the two outlets 160 and 162 at a tune is in open flow communication with the air inlet port 158, with the other being sealed by spaced apart enlarged snuff rings on the valve stem. The PATENT
air trigger 138 also includes two spacExl exhaust ports 164 and l66 which are provided in flow communication with outlet ports 160 and 162, respectively, and serve to evacuate air from the outlet port that is in the sealed position.
Thus, when air is supplied from an air hose through the trigger inlet port 158, depending on the position of the trigger valve stem 152 through depression of the finger button 150, the air is directed to flow out onE: of the two outlet ports 160 and I62 and selectively into either the opened or closed air chambers 130 and 132 in the body of the; gun, which are respectively connected to the outlet ports 160 and 162 of the air trigger with air hoses. It should be understood that other stand~~rd trigger controlled dispensing valves for the dispensing gun can be used as well, such as spring trigger actuated valves or electrical trigger actuated valves.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desired to exhaust any volume of compressed air that is left in the gu.n after the air trigger is released when the operator wants to stop dispensing the mixed fluid from the gun. Exhausting of air from tha:
body of the gun avoids static pressure builds in the air circuit and prevents surges and overruns of mixed fluid during start-up of the gun, which is undesirable.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a preferred air flow circuit 170 used four deactivating the plural component mixing and dispensing system of the present invention without static pressure build is shown. Arrows are used in FIG. 7 to indicate the direction of air flow through the circuit. Compressed air 172 enters a main air manifold 174 and flows oul: into a circuit tee fitting I76 attached to an outlet on the manifold. Air is directed from the circuit tee fitting 176 through an air hose 178 to the inlet L58 of the 4-way air trigger 138. The push button 150 on the air trigger is ira the undepressed G~ndition so as to allow unobstructed flow communication between the air inlet 158 and air outlet I60 in the trigger 138. The 4-way air trigger 138 sends the compressed air out of the air outlet 160 through an air hose 180 into the normally closed air inlet port 132 in the mixing and dispensing gun 44. The air acts against the air piston 134 and forces the valued outlet ports a 12 and 114 in the gun body to remain in their normally - _ CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
closed positions, which deactivates the gun and stops the reactive fluids in the fluid passages 108 and 110 of the gun from exiting the divided gun outlet 116.
In the air flow circuit 170, while the mixing and dispensing gun 44 is deactivated, an exhaust cycle simultaneously occurs to stop the main air motor 190 that drives the base resin pump 20 and remove static pressure build from the air circuit. For this to occur, compressed air is also directed from the main air manifold 174 out into a valued port 182 of a standard pilot valve 184 that is attached to an outlet of the manifold 174. The valued port is normally closed by a valve 186, which stops the air from traveling through an air hose 188 into the master air motor 190 that is used to activate the base resin pump 20. Stoppage of compressed air to the air motor 190 causes the base resin pump 20 to stop and eliminates static pressure build in the fluid lines 80 and 82 to t:he dispensing gun 44.
Compressed air is also caused to exit the circuit tee fitting 176 through an air hose l92 into a standard air toggle 194 and is stop therein, since the air toggle is switched to its closed position. Air is, thus, not allowed to pass from the air toggle l94 through an .air hose 196 into a standard shuttle valve 198, which av- flow, if allowed, would shift the normally closed valve 200 in the shuttle valve 198 to an opened position and direct air into the p ilot valve 184 to cause the opening of the normally closed valve 186 therein, so as to allow p;~ssage of air into the air motor l90 in the deactivated condition, which would cause a les~~
desirable static pressure build up in the fluid lines.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a preferred air flow circuit 202 used for activating the plural component mixing and dispensing system of the present invention is shown) Here again, arrows are used to indicate the direction of air flow through the circuit.
When the push button finger trigger 150 is depressed, air is exhausted from air hose 180 through thc; air exhaust port 164 in the air trigger l38. Simultaneously, compressed air l72 continues to enter the main air manifold 174 and flows out into the circuit tee fitting l76. Air is directed from the circuit tee fitting 176 through the air hose 178 to the inlet 158 of the 4-way air trigger 138. The push button 150 on the air trigger is depressed, so as to allow unobstructed flow communication between the air inlet 158 and air outlet 162. The 4-way air trigger 138 sends the compressed a CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
325l-03-00 air out of the air outlet l62 through an air hose 204 and through a tee fitting 206 and into the normally opened air inlet port 130 in the mixing and dispensing gun 44. Th.e air acts against the air piston 134 and forces the valued outlet ports 112 and l 14 in the gun b ody open, which activates the gun and starts the flow of reactive fluids through the gun passiiges 108 and 110 and causes the fluids to exit the divided gun outlet 116 into the static mixer 136 and out of the gun through the dispensing tip 148.
Compressed air is also direct~:d out of the tee fitting 206 through an air hose 208 into the shuttle valve 198 and then into the pilot valve l84, which in turn, opens valve 186 and allows compressed air from the man air manifold 174 to feed the master air motor 190, sending the air motor and base resin Fmmp 20 into motion and causing the fluids to be pumped through fluid lines 80 and 82 into the dispensing gun 44. The air toggle 194 again remains in the closed position.
When it is desired to stop dispensing the mixed fluids from the dispensing tip 148 of the mixing and dispensing gun 44, the; push button 150 on the air trigger 138 is released. This causes the air flow pattern to revert back to that shown in FIG. 7. As the button l50 is released, air is exhausted from air 'hose line 204 through air the exhaust port 166 in the air trigger 138, and air is likewise exhausted from air hose line 188 through air exhaust port 210 and muffler 2l2 on the pilot valve 1 &4, which eliminates static pressure build and fluid surges and overruns when the push button l50 is again depressed.
It should be understood that all individual parts used herein to :Form the weight-supported, mufti-pivoted mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention are readily commercially available.
The advantages stemming from the present invention include, without limitation:
1. The dispensing gun is fully mechanically weight supported in an operative position and balanced, and, therefore, has less total weight and is less cumbersome to use.
2. The disposable static min;er placed after the separate flow dispensing gun reduces the amount of mixed waste during start-up and shut-down, and requires essentially no solvent cleaning or base purging during sihut-down, since no mixed fluids ever pass through the PATENT
dispensing gun and since the mixer containing the mixed waste may be simply discarded after use.
3. The actuating trigger placed on the dispensing end of the elongated static mixing tube reduces the distance between the hand held trigger and the di$pensing outlet nozzle, allowing the operator to hold the gun closer to the dispensing outlet nrozzle for better control of fluid placement on the work surface.
4. The dispensing gun and feed and support lines are pivoted in multiple locations for improved flexibility and maneuverability and reduced line kinking.
The invention having been disclosed in the foregoing embodiments and examples, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments and examples, which are considered to be exemplary only. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims to assess the true spirit and scope of the invention, in which exclusive rights are claimed.
body for controlling the flow of the two fluids out through the two outlets, with the front ends of the two flexible hoses being separately pivotally attached to the two spaced inlets with two swivel connectors having flow channels defined therein, the swivels being rotatable about a common generally horizontal pivot axis and in flow communication with the flexible hoses and spaced inlets in all rotative positions; a static mixer including an elongated mixing tube having an inlet at one end connected to the two outlets of the gun body and an dispensing outlet nozzle at the opposite elongated end, and statiionary mixing elements disposed in the mixing tube; an actuating trigger positioned on the ;>tatic mixing tube in close proximity t~~
the dispensing nozzle outlet end of the mixing tube for actuating the dispensing valves in the: gun body; and, means for weight supporting the bot3y of the mixing and dispensing gun above a generally horizontal plane in an operative positicm, the weight support means extending i:rom the pivoted arm and being pivotally attached to the: top of the gun body, with the support means including a swivel being rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis, the pivot axis being substantially perpendicular to the common generally horizontal pivot axis of the swivel connectors.
The various objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description.
Brief Descriytion of the Drawings There are shown in the drawings certain exemplary embodiments of the invention as presently preferred. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments and is capable of variation within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
With this description of the invention, a detailed description follows with reference to the drawings, in which like referencE: numerals denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view oiP a mixing and dispensing system embodying the weight-supported, mufti-pivoted mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is side view of the mi~u~g and dispensing gun of the present imrention, with the gun being tilted on its side for clarity;
. _ CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
FIG. 3 is a fractional exploded view, partly in section, of the mixini~ and dispensing gun of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of an exemplary swivel connector thstt can be used to establish multiple pivotal flow connections in the mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a front view, partly 'in section, of an exemplary balancer that can be used to weight support, in an operative position, the mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the balancer of FIG. 5 taken alon~; line 6-6;
FIG. 7 is a schematic of an exemplary air flow circuit for deaetivatin;g the mixing and dispensing gun of the present inventiion; and, FIG. 8 is a schematic of an exemplary air flow circuit for activating the mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention.
Detailed Descriytion of the Preferred Embod'ments of the nvention Referring to FIG. 1, the dispensing system embodying the invention is generally shown as 10 and includes supply vessels 12 and 14 respectively housing two chemically reactive fluids that ne~cl to be metered and mixed before dispensing, such as a polysulfide lass resin 16 and a catalyst 18. The dispensing system 10 also includes pumps 20 and 22 for the resin and catalyst, respectively, such as positive: displacement pumps operated with air motors driven by compressed air. The pumps 20 and 22 respectively direct the fluids from the supply vessels 12 and 14 through separate flexible hoses 24 and 26 to separate inlets of manifolds 28 and 29 which contain separate flow ports 30 and 32 (shown in phantom) for both the base resin and catalyst.
The catalyst hose 26, in particular, communicates with a standard metering cylinder 34, such as a positive displacement pump, prior to entering the catalyst inlet in the manifold 29.
The metering cylinder 34 is used to provide the correct mix ratio of resin t~~
catalyst flowing through the manifolds 28 and 29. ,As shown in FIG. 1, a cylinder linkage: 36 is attached to _g_ ,. CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
both the resin pump 20 and the catalyst metering cylinder 34. Upon every stroke of the resin pump 20, the metering cylinder 34 pivots a set distance which draws a properly proportioned amount of catalyst into the catalyst part 32 in the manifold 29, as the desired. amount of resin is simultaneously pumped separately into the resin port 30 in the manifold 28.
Flexible hoses 40 and 42 for the resin and catalyst, respectively, are separately attached to separate outlets in the manifolds 28 and 29. 1'he flexible hoses 40 and 42 eventually direct the fluids individually to a mixing aJnd dispensing gun 44.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the flexible hoses 40 and 42 are sup~p~orted generally horizontally above the floor 46 on a pivoted arm or boom 48 that is rotatatbly attached by a pivot joint 50 to a ram post 38 associated with the resin pumping unit. The boom 48 is rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis. The boom 48 extends outwardly a substantial radial distance from the ram post 38 and the resin pumping unit in order to provide enough clearance for an operator to adequately maneuver the dispensing gun 44.
The flexible hoses 40 and 42 resting upon the boom 48 are attached to a manifold block 52 mounted on top of the boom 48 generally at its outermost end. The manifold 52 includes separate flow ports 54 and 56 (shown in phantom) for the base resin and catalyst, respectively.
The resin flow port 54 contains about a 90~ upward bend, so that the resin is directed to exit at the top of the manifold 52. A standard swivel joint or swivel connector 58 is rotatably mounted around a generally vertical rotational axis to the outlet of the manifold resin port 54 at the top of the manifold 52.
An exemplary swivel connE:ctor 58, as shown in partial section in FIGS. 2 and 4, generally includes an elongated cylindrical swivel tube 60 that is suitably connected to the outlet of the resin port 54. The tube 60 includes an inlet port 62 at the end connected to the resin port 54 and radial ports 64 disposed around the circumference of the tube at a selected distance along its length. The portion of the tube having the radial ports E4 is rotatably and sealingly housed in an outer swivel sleeve 66. The sleeve 66 generally surrounds the radial ports 64 and contains an outlet port 68, which is generally perpendicular tn the inlet port 62 and alignable with at least one of the radial ports 64 in all rotative positions, thereby allowing PATENT
325l-03-00 open flow communication between the inlet port 62 and outlet port 68 when the swivel sleeve 66 is rotated in every pivotal position.
Referring again to FIG. 2, a generally horizontally elongated pivoted arm 70 having an internal resin port 72 (shown in phantom) extending therethrough is suitably connected to the outlet port 68 of the swivel connector 58. The pivoted arm 70 extends outwardly a shortened radial distance from the remote end of the boom 48 and is pivotal around the generally vertical swivel axis provided by the swivel connector 58, in order to allow the operator to further extend the dispensvng gun 44 away from the resin ram post 38 and pumping units, providing additional room for the operator to maneuver the gun,. It should be understood that the manifold and swivel connector may be arranged so that. the pivoted arm is positioned below rather than above the boom to allow complete rotation of the pivoted arm about the pivot axis.
Suitably attached to the outlet ~of the catalyst port 56 which extends axially through the manifold 52 is a second swivel connector 74 having generally perpendicular inlet and outlet ports 76 and 78. The swivel connector 74 is pivotal around a generally horizontal rotational axis. The swivel connector 74, as shown, is generally of the same configuration as that of the aforesaid swivel connector 58. A flee;ible hose 80 for the catalyst is suitably connected to the outlet port 78 of the swivel connector 74 and is supported upon the pivoted arm 70 along its length. The swivel connector 74 prevents lcinlcing of the catalyst hose 80 during rotation of the pivoted arm 70 as an operator positions the dispensing gun 44.
A flexible hose 82 for the resin is suitably connected to the resin outlet port on the outermost extension end of the pivoted arm 70. The flexible resin hose 8:? and the flexible catalyst hose 80 hang freely down from the pivoted arm 70 towards the flobr but preferably do not reach the floor. Each hose 82 and 80 is individually attached through :swivel connectors 84 and 869 respectively, to separate rESin and catalyst inlet ports 88 and 90 on opposite lateral sides of the dispensing gun 44. The swivel connectors 84 and 86 are generally of the same configuration as that of the aforementioned swivel connectors 58 and 74. The swivel connectors 84 and 86 are rotatable around a common generally horizonti~l rotational axis, ~
. CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
which improves the pivoting of the dispensing gun 44 relative to the flexible hoses 80 and 82 and dramatically reduces the effort required to maneuver the gun.
The top portion of the dispensing gun 44 is suspended above the floor 46 with a tensioned line 92 that is used to counter balance and fully weight-support the dispensing gun 44 in an operative position above the floor 46, thereby eliminating the need fir an operator to manually weight support a heavy and cumbersome dispensing gun. The tension and length of the line 92 can both be adjusted using a standard tool balancer 94 that is suitably mounted to the pivoted arm 70 and from which the line 92 extends. The tool balancer 94 is preferably mounted to the arm 70 such that it is pivotal up to about 30~ from a generaly vertical axis.
The lower end of the balancer line 92 is looped and pivotally connected to the top of the dispensing gun 44.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an exemplary tool balancer is shown. With this tool balancer, the amount of overhang of the line 92 can be adj usted in order to set the initial elevation of the gun 44 above the floor 46 by moving up and down a movable stop 93 that is releasably secured to the line 92. The line 92 is also spring tensioned to supF~ort the gun 44 at the selected elevation without having the line descend towards the floor from the weight of the gun. To adjust the line tension, a tension knob 95 is rotated in a clockwise direction which action tensions the main spring in the; balancer. The balancer is also equipped with a tension release button 97 to selectively release tension in the line 92.
Referring again to FIG. 3, a snap swivel 96 is used to pivotally corm ect the top of the dispensing gun to the tool balancer line 92. The snap swivel includes an upper snap clip 98 and a lower ring 100. The snap clip 98 and ring 100 are rotatably connected together by a pivot connecting rod 102 and are rotatable around a generally vertical pivot axis. The upper snap clip 98 is connected to a tool clip ring 103 which is relea.sably attached to the looped end of the balancer line 92. The lower ring 100 is releasably attached 'to a hanger and plug combination 104 that is threadedly attached to the top of the dispensing gun 4~~. The pivot axis of the snap swivel 96 is arranged to be substantially perpendicular relative to the common PATENT
swivel axis of the two swivel conne~~tors 84 and 86 for three dimensional movement of the gun.
The dispensing gun 44 in the aforesaid arrangement is not only entirely weight-supported in an operative position, which allows the operator to maneuver tile gun with very little effort, but also is adj ustable im height and along multiple pivot axes to allow three dimensional pivoting of the gun for better control of fluid placement on the ~~rork surface and reduced line kinking. It should be understood that other methods may b a used to weight support and balance the gun in an operative position as well, such as counterbalancing the gun with a spring supported on the pivoted arm and the like.
The dispensing gun 44 can be of any standard construction as is well known in the art for mixing and dispensing two-component reactive fluids. It is preferred that the gun allow f~ khe ~tecor~ponen~ tote-fed individually through the gun, passed sE:parately through valued outlet ports that are controlled by an actuating trigger, and brought into contact with each other upon reaching an elongated mixing chamber attached to the valued outlet ports of the gun, with the mixing chamber having an outlet nozzle from which the rr~ixed components are discharged. Although the dispensing gun will be described below with reference to a pneumatic or air actuated gun, the present invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment.
Referring now to both FIGS. 2 and 3, an exemplary dispensing gun 44 as shown includes a generally rectangular body 106 having separate resin and catalyst inlet ports 88 and 90 on opposite sides of the body which, respectively, lead to separate elongated fluid passages 108 and 110 extending in the body. 'The two fluid components are passed separately along the passages 108 and 110 through two valued outlet ports 112 and 1l4 for controlling the dispensing of the two fluids separately through a divided outlet opening 116.
The dispensing valves controlling the valued outlet ports 112 and :l14 can be of any standard construction as is well known in the art. The valves as shown are air trigger actuated valves and include interconnected movable valve needles 118 and 120 which in the normally closed position respectively urge snuff rings I22 and 124 against valve seats I26 and I28 in PATENT
order to close the seats and prevent fluid flow past the valued outlet ports 112 and 114 and out through the divided outlet 116.
'The movement of the valve needles 118 and 120 and, thus, the opening and closing of the valued outlet ports 112 and 114 are controlled by an air piston 134 driven by compressed air that as supplied into the body of the gun. The compressed air is directeii into one of two air chambers 130 and 132 in the top rear of the gun body, which respectively control the opening and closing of the valued outlet ports. 1fie open and close air chambers 130 and 132, respectively, are sealingly divided from one another with a movable air piston 134 which interconnects the valve needles 118 and 120. Air pressure directed against the head of the piston 134 in one of the chambers causes movement of the piston and tree interconnected needles, consequently either opening or closing the valued outlet ports 112 and 114. When opened, the valve needles I18 and ~~20 allow for the flow of the respective fluids from their separate passages 108 and 110 through the divided outlet l16 in order to mix together in a standard motionless or static mixer 136 that is attached to the divided gun outlet.
IS The passage of air selectively into one of the two chambers I30 andl I32 to cause the opening and closing of the air actuated valves is controlled by pivoting an actuating air trigger 138, as will be described more fully described hereinafter.
The static mixer I36 is threadedly attached to the divided outlet 116. The static mixer 136 includes an elongated spiral mixer tube 140 and running substantially th.e entire length of the spiral mixer tube 140 are spiral mixer elements 142. The spiral mixer elements 142 are composed of pairs of helical vanes spiralexi in opposite directions about a common longitudinal axis along the length of the spiral mixer tube 140, as is well known in the a~~t. The pattern of the spiral mixer elements allows homogeneous swirling and mixing of the resin and catalyst as they pass through the length of the spiral mixer tube 140. The st;~tic mixer 136 is removably housed in an elongated outer tubular jacket I44 that is threadedly attached to the divided outlet l16.
The static mixer 136, including the spiral mixer tube 140 and spiral mixer elements 142, is preferably molded of an inexpensive plastic material so that after dispensing, mixed PATENT
and catalyzed resin need not be removed from the tube. Instead of rinsing with hazardous solvents or purging with costly unmixed base resin, the static mixer l36 is removed and set aside until the mixed material hardens. within the mixer tube 140. After the material has set, the tube and static mixer pose no environmental hazard and can simply be thrown away after use, thereby eliminating solvent cleaning or base purging and the creation of costly and hazardous waste therefrom.
After passing through the static mixer 136, the mixed fluids are directed to an outlet nozzle 146 at the outermost end of the outer jacket 144. Dispensing tips 148 having the desired configuration for the particular application can be threadedly connected to the single outlet nozzle 146.
The dispensing gun is activated with a hand-held actuating air trigger 138 that communicates witha supply ofcom~ryssed air from an air supply is-mounted ~~n the outlet end of the outer jacket 144. The air trigger 138 is positioned in close proximity to the outlet nozzle 146 and dispensing tip attachment 148 for better control of fluid ylacement by the operator. Rather than having the tJ-igger positioned on the body of the gun 44 which is a substantial distance away from the outlet and dispensing tip, the hand operated trigger in the present invention is positioned closer to the outlet nozzle 146 and dispensing tip 148, which allows the operator to hold the gun closer to the point of application for better dispensing control. lass effort is, therefore, required to properly position and maintain the gun over the work surface.
The air trigger 138 can be made of any standard construction. As shown in FIG.
3, an exemplary air trigger 138 is a 4-way valve which includes a depressible finger button 150 connect~i to a spring biased valve stem 152 that is movably contained in a channel 154 formed in a trigger housing 156. The channen 154 is provided in flow communication.
with an air inlet port 158 on one side of the housing 156 and two spaced apart air outlet port;>
160 and 162 on the opposite side. Depending on the. position of the valve stem l52 in the channel, only one of the two outlets 160 and 162 at a tune is in open flow communication with the air inlet port 158, with the other being sealed by spaced apart enlarged snuff rings on the valve stem. The PATENT
air trigger 138 also includes two spacExl exhaust ports 164 and l66 which are provided in flow communication with outlet ports 160 and 162, respectively, and serve to evacuate air from the outlet port that is in the sealed position.
Thus, when air is supplied from an air hose through the trigger inlet port 158, depending on the position of the trigger valve stem 152 through depression of the finger button 150, the air is directed to flow out onE: of the two outlet ports 160 and I62 and selectively into either the opened or closed air chambers 130 and 132 in the body of the; gun, which are respectively connected to the outlet ports 160 and 162 of the air trigger with air hoses. It should be understood that other stand~~rd trigger controlled dispensing valves for the dispensing gun can be used as well, such as spring trigger actuated valves or electrical trigger actuated valves.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desired to exhaust any volume of compressed air that is left in the gu.n after the air trigger is released when the operator wants to stop dispensing the mixed fluid from the gun. Exhausting of air from tha:
body of the gun avoids static pressure builds in the air circuit and prevents surges and overruns of mixed fluid during start-up of the gun, which is undesirable.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a preferred air flow circuit 170 used four deactivating the plural component mixing and dispensing system of the present invention without static pressure build is shown. Arrows are used in FIG. 7 to indicate the direction of air flow through the circuit. Compressed air 172 enters a main air manifold 174 and flows oul: into a circuit tee fitting I76 attached to an outlet on the manifold. Air is directed from the circuit tee fitting 176 through an air hose 178 to the inlet L58 of the 4-way air trigger 138. The push button 150 on the air trigger is ira the undepressed G~ndition so as to allow unobstructed flow communication between the air inlet 158 and air outlet I60 in the trigger 138. The 4-way air trigger 138 sends the compressed air out of the air outlet 160 through an air hose 180 into the normally closed air inlet port 132 in the mixing and dispensing gun 44. The air acts against the air piston 134 and forces the valued outlet ports a 12 and 114 in the gun body to remain in their normally - _ CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
closed positions, which deactivates the gun and stops the reactive fluids in the fluid passages 108 and 110 of the gun from exiting the divided gun outlet 116.
In the air flow circuit 170, while the mixing and dispensing gun 44 is deactivated, an exhaust cycle simultaneously occurs to stop the main air motor 190 that drives the base resin pump 20 and remove static pressure build from the air circuit. For this to occur, compressed air is also directed from the main air manifold 174 out into a valued port 182 of a standard pilot valve 184 that is attached to an outlet of the manifold 174. The valued port is normally closed by a valve 186, which stops the air from traveling through an air hose 188 into the master air motor 190 that is used to activate the base resin pump 20. Stoppage of compressed air to the air motor 190 causes the base resin pump 20 to stop and eliminates static pressure build in the fluid lines 80 and 82 to t:he dispensing gun 44.
Compressed air is also caused to exit the circuit tee fitting 176 through an air hose l92 into a standard air toggle 194 and is stop therein, since the air toggle is switched to its closed position. Air is, thus, not allowed to pass from the air toggle l94 through an .air hose 196 into a standard shuttle valve 198, which av- flow, if allowed, would shift the normally closed valve 200 in the shuttle valve 198 to an opened position and direct air into the p ilot valve 184 to cause the opening of the normally closed valve 186 therein, so as to allow p;~ssage of air into the air motor l90 in the deactivated condition, which would cause a les~~
desirable static pressure build up in the fluid lines.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a preferred air flow circuit 202 used for activating the plural component mixing and dispensing system of the present invention is shown) Here again, arrows are used to indicate the direction of air flow through the circuit.
When the push button finger trigger 150 is depressed, air is exhausted from air hose 180 through thc; air exhaust port 164 in the air trigger l38. Simultaneously, compressed air l72 continues to enter the main air manifold 174 and flows out into the circuit tee fitting l76. Air is directed from the circuit tee fitting 176 through the air hose 178 to the inlet 158 of the 4-way air trigger 138. The push button 150 on the air trigger is depressed, so as to allow unobstructed flow communication between the air inlet 158 and air outlet 162. The 4-way air trigger 138 sends the compressed a CA 02219264 1997-10-23 PATENT
325l-03-00 air out of the air outlet l62 through an air hose 204 and through a tee fitting 206 and into the normally opened air inlet port 130 in the mixing and dispensing gun 44. Th.e air acts against the air piston 134 and forces the valued outlet ports 112 and l 14 in the gun b ody open, which activates the gun and starts the flow of reactive fluids through the gun passiiges 108 and 110 and causes the fluids to exit the divided gun outlet 116 into the static mixer 136 and out of the gun through the dispensing tip 148.
Compressed air is also direct~:d out of the tee fitting 206 through an air hose 208 into the shuttle valve 198 and then into the pilot valve l84, which in turn, opens valve 186 and allows compressed air from the man air manifold 174 to feed the master air motor 190, sending the air motor and base resin Fmmp 20 into motion and causing the fluids to be pumped through fluid lines 80 and 82 into the dispensing gun 44. The air toggle 194 again remains in the closed position.
When it is desired to stop dispensing the mixed fluids from the dispensing tip 148 of the mixing and dispensing gun 44, the; push button 150 on the air trigger 138 is released. This causes the air flow pattern to revert back to that shown in FIG. 7. As the button l50 is released, air is exhausted from air 'hose line 204 through air the exhaust port 166 in the air trigger 138, and air is likewise exhausted from air hose line 188 through air exhaust port 210 and muffler 2l2 on the pilot valve 1 &4, which eliminates static pressure build and fluid surges and overruns when the push button l50 is again depressed.
It should be understood that all individual parts used herein to :Form the weight-supported, mufti-pivoted mixing and dispensing gun of the present invention are readily commercially available.
The advantages stemming from the present invention include, without limitation:
1. The dispensing gun is fully mechanically weight supported in an operative position and balanced, and, therefore, has less total weight and is less cumbersome to use.
2. The disposable static min;er placed after the separate flow dispensing gun reduces the amount of mixed waste during start-up and shut-down, and requires essentially no solvent cleaning or base purging during sihut-down, since no mixed fluids ever pass through the PATENT
dispensing gun and since the mixer containing the mixed waste may be simply discarded after use.
3. The actuating trigger placed on the dispensing end of the elongated static mixing tube reduces the distance between the hand held trigger and the di$pensing outlet nozzle, allowing the operator to hold the gun closer to the dispensing outlet nrozzle for better control of fluid placement on the work surface.
4. The dispensing gun and feed and support lines are pivoted in multiple locations for improved flexibility and maneuverability and reduced line kinking.
The invention having been disclosed in the foregoing embodiments and examples, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments and examples, which are considered to be exemplary only. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims to assess the true spirit and scope of the invention, in which exclusive rights are claimed.
Claims (19)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:
1. A mixing and dispensing system for two chemically reactive fluids, comprising:
pump means for supplying two chemically reactive fluids separately through two flexible hoses;
support means for supporting said two flexible hoses above a horizontal plane with a front end of each of said two flexible hoses hanging below said support means;
a mixing and dispensing gun including a body having two spaced inlets on opposite sides of said gun body for separately receiving said two fluids from said front ends of said flexible hoses; two outlets at a front of said gun body for separately dispensing said two fluids; dispensing valve means in said body for controlling flow of said two fluids dispensed through said two outlets; and swivel means having internal flow channels for separately pivotally attaching said flexible hoses to said inlets, said swivel means being rotatable about a common horizontal pivot axis and in flow communication with said flexible hoses and said inlets in all rotative positions; said front ends of said two flexible hoses being attached to said mixing and dispensing gun;
a motionless mixer including an elongated mixing tube having an inlet at one end connected to said two outlets of said gun body and a dispensing outlet nozzle at the opposite elongated end, and stationary mixing elements disposed in said mixing tube;
an actuating trigger positioned on said mixing tube in proximity to said dispensing outlet nozzle for actuating said dispensing valve means in said gun body; and weight supporting means for supporting said body of said mixing and dispensing gun above said horizontal plane in an operative position, said weight supporting means comprising a balancing means attached to said support means, said balancing means having an adjustably elongated tensioned line attached to said gun body for counterbalance, said tensioned line being pivotally attached to a top of said gun body, said line being rotatable about a vertical pivot a:cis perpendicular to said common horizontal pivot axis of said two swivel means connected to said two inlets.
pump means for supplying two chemically reactive fluids separately through two flexible hoses;
support means for supporting said two flexible hoses above a horizontal plane with a front end of each of said two flexible hoses hanging below said support means;
a mixing and dispensing gun including a body having two spaced inlets on opposite sides of said gun body for separately receiving said two fluids from said front ends of said flexible hoses; two outlets at a front of said gun body for separately dispensing said two fluids; dispensing valve means in said body for controlling flow of said two fluids dispensed through said two outlets; and swivel means having internal flow channels for separately pivotally attaching said flexible hoses to said inlets, said swivel means being rotatable about a common horizontal pivot axis and in flow communication with said flexible hoses and said inlets in all rotative positions; said front ends of said two flexible hoses being attached to said mixing and dispensing gun;
a motionless mixer including an elongated mixing tube having an inlet at one end connected to said two outlets of said gun body and a dispensing outlet nozzle at the opposite elongated end, and stationary mixing elements disposed in said mixing tube;
an actuating trigger positioned on said mixing tube in proximity to said dispensing outlet nozzle for actuating said dispensing valve means in said gun body; and weight supporting means for supporting said body of said mixing and dispensing gun above said horizontal plane in an operative position, said weight supporting means comprising a balancing means attached to said support means, said balancing means having an adjustably elongated tensioned line attached to said gun body for counterbalance, said tensioned line being pivotally attached to a top of said gun body, said line being rotatable about a vertical pivot a:cis perpendicular to said common horizontal pivot axis of said two swivel means connected to said two inlets.
2. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein:
said support means for supporting said two flexible hoses comprises a horizontally elongated pivoted arm pivotally mounted on a support post, said pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis.
said support means for supporting said two flexible hoses comprises a horizontally elongated pivoted arm pivotally mounted on a support post, said pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis.
3. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein:
said support means for said two flexible hoses comprises a first horizontally elongated pivoted arm having two ends, one end being pivotally mounted to a support post and the other end being free, said first pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis, and a second horizontally elongated pivoted arm pivotally mounted to said free end of said first pivoted arm, said second pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis, said flexible hoses resting on said first pivoted arm and then on said second pivoted arm, with said front ends of said hoses suspending from said second pivoted arm below said support means.
said support means for said two flexible hoses comprises a first horizontally elongated pivoted arm having two ends, one end being pivotally mounted to a support post and the other end being free, said first pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis, and a second horizontally elongated pivoted arm pivotally mounted to said free end of said first pivoted arm, said second pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis, said flexible hoses resting on said first pivoted arm and then on said second pivoted arm, with said front ends of said hoses suspending from said second pivoted arm below said support means.
4. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein:
said motionless mixer is removably attached to said gun body and is disposable.
said motionless mixer is removably attached to said gun body and is disposable.
The mixing and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein:
said actuating trigger controls said dispensing valve means with compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply.
said actuating trigger controls said dispensing valve means with compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply.
6. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 5, wherein:
said actuating trigger comprises a push button trigger mounted atop said mixing tube.
said actuating trigger comprises a push button trigger mounted atop said mixing tube.
7. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 5, wherein:
said actuating trigger further controls with said compressed air an air motor that drives said pump means, whereby upon release of said actuating trigger, said compressed air is diverted away from said air motor through an exhaust means to stop the air motor and avoid static pressure build up in said two flexible hoses.
said actuating trigger further controls with said compressed air an air motor that drives said pump means, whereby upon release of said actuating trigger, said compressed air is diverted away from said air motor through an exhaust means to stop the air motor and avoid static pressure build up in said two flexible hoses.
8. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein:
said support means comprises an elongated pivoted arm for pivotally supporting said two flexible hoses above a horizontal plane with a front end of each of said flexible hoses hanging below said pivoted arm, said pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis;
said swivel means for pivotally attaching said two flexible hoses to said two inlets are swivel connectors; and said weight supporting means extends from said pivoted arm and includes a swivel to pivotally attach said tensioned line to said top of said gun body;
said support means comprises an elongated pivoted arm for pivotally supporting said two flexible hoses above a horizontal plane with a front end of each of said flexible hoses hanging below said pivoted arm, said pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis;
said swivel means for pivotally attaching said two flexible hoses to said two inlets are swivel connectors; and said weight supporting means extends from said pivoted arm and includes a swivel to pivotally attach said tensioned line to said top of said gun body;
9. The system of claim 8, which further comprises:
each of said two flexible hoses being divided into two portions, a first portion extending from said pump means and a second portion with said front ends extending to said gun inlets;
a manifold mounted on an elongated end of said pivoted arm for joining said first and second hose portions together while pivotally suspending said second hose portions from said pivoted arm, said manifold having two spaced inlets on one side, said inlets separately receiving said two reactive fluids from said first portion of said two flexible hoses connected thereto, and two spaced outlets. one of said outlets being disposed on top of said manifold and the other of said outlets being disposed on an opposite side from said inlets;
a second elongated pivoted arm having a flow channel defined therein and an inlet and outlet at opposite ends, said inlet being, pivotally mounted to said one of said two outlets on the top of said manifold with a third swivel connector, said second pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis and in flow communication with said manifold outlet in all rotative positions, said second pivoted arm outlet being connected to the second portion of one of the two flexible hoses with the front end thereof hanging down from said second pivoted arm; and a fourth swivel connector having a flow channel defined therein and an inlet and outlet, said fourth swivel connector inlet being pivotally mounted to the other of said two outlets of said manifold, said fourth swivel connector being rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis and in flow communication. with said manifold outlet in all rotative positions, said fourth swivel connector outlet being connected to the second portion of the other of the two flexible hoses with the front end thereof hanging down from said second pivoted arm.
each of said two flexible hoses being divided into two portions, a first portion extending from said pump means and a second portion with said front ends extending to said gun inlets;
a manifold mounted on an elongated end of said pivoted arm for joining said first and second hose portions together while pivotally suspending said second hose portions from said pivoted arm, said manifold having two spaced inlets on one side, said inlets separately receiving said two reactive fluids from said first portion of said two flexible hoses connected thereto, and two spaced outlets. one of said outlets being disposed on top of said manifold and the other of said outlets being disposed on an opposite side from said inlets;
a second elongated pivoted arm having a flow channel defined therein and an inlet and outlet at opposite ends, said inlet being, pivotally mounted to said one of said two outlets on the top of said manifold with a third swivel connector, said second pivoted arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis and in flow communication with said manifold outlet in all rotative positions, said second pivoted arm outlet being connected to the second portion of one of the two flexible hoses with the front end thereof hanging down from said second pivoted arm; and a fourth swivel connector having a flow channel defined therein and an inlet and outlet, said fourth swivel connector inlet being pivotally mounted to the other of said two outlets of said manifold, said fourth swivel connector being rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis and in flow communication. with said manifold outlet in all rotative positions, said fourth swivel connector outlet being connected to the second portion of the other of the two flexible hoses with the front end thereof hanging down from said second pivoted arm.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein:
said motionless mixer is removably attached to said two outlets of said gun body and is disposable.
said motionless mixer is removably attached to said two outlets of said gun body and is disposable.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein:
said actuating trigger comprises a push button trigger mounted atop said mixing tube.
said actuating trigger comprises a push button trigger mounted atop said mixing tube.
12. A mixing and dispensing system for two chemically reactive fluids, comprising:
pump means for separately dispensing two chemically reactive fluids from separate storage vessels through two separate flexible hoses;
a pivotal support for supporting said two flexible hoses above a horizontal plane having a front end of each of said two flexible hoses suspending below said support;
a mixing and dispensing gun attached to said front ends of said two flexible hoses, said mixing and dispensing gun including a body having two spaced inlets and outlets for separately receiving and dispensing said two fluids, and a dispensing valve means in said body for controlling said two fluids dispensed through said two outlets, said spaced inlets being disposed on opposite lateral sides of said gun body and said front ends of said flexible hoses being separately pivotally attached to said two spaced inlets respectively with first and second swivel connectors having respective internal flow channels, said first and second swivel connectors being rotatable about a common horizontal pivot axis and in flow communication with said flexible hoses and said inlets in a11 rotative positions;
a disposable motionless mixer including an elongated mixing tube having an inlet at one end removably connected to said two spaced outlets of said gun body and a dispensing outlet nozzle at the opposite end, and motionless mixing elements disposed within said mixing tube;
a push button actuating trigger mounted on top of said mixing tube in proximity to said dispensing outlet nozzle, said actuating trigger controlling said dispensing valve means in said gun body.
pump means for separately dispensing two chemically reactive fluids from separate storage vessels through two separate flexible hoses;
a pivotal support for supporting said two flexible hoses above a horizontal plane having a front end of each of said two flexible hoses suspending below said support;
a mixing and dispensing gun attached to said front ends of said two flexible hoses, said mixing and dispensing gun including a body having two spaced inlets and outlets for separately receiving and dispensing said two fluids, and a dispensing valve means in said body for controlling said two fluids dispensed through said two outlets, said spaced inlets being disposed on opposite lateral sides of said gun body and said front ends of said flexible hoses being separately pivotally attached to said two spaced inlets respectively with first and second swivel connectors having respective internal flow channels, said first and second swivel connectors being rotatable about a common horizontal pivot axis and in flow communication with said flexible hoses and said inlets in a11 rotative positions;
a disposable motionless mixer including an elongated mixing tube having an inlet at one end removably connected to said two spaced outlets of said gun body and a dispensing outlet nozzle at the opposite end, and motionless mixing elements disposed within said mixing tube;
a push button actuating trigger mounted on top of said mixing tube in proximity to said dispensing outlet nozzle, said actuating trigger controlling said dispensing valve means in said gun body.
13. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 12, wherein:
said pivotal support for said two flexible hoses comprises a horizontally elongated pivot arm pivotally mounted on a support post, said pivot arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis.
said pivotal support for said two flexible hoses comprises a horizontally elongated pivot arm pivotally mounted on a support post, said pivot arm being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis.
14. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 13, wherein:
one of said two flexible hoses is pivotally suspended from said pivot arm with a third swivel connector rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis; and the other of said two flexible hoses is pivotally suspended from said pivot arm with a fourth swivel connector rotatable about a vertical pivot axis.
one of said two flexible hoses is pivotally suspended from said pivot arm with a third swivel connector rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis; and the other of said two flexible hoses is pivotally suspended from said pivot arm with a fourth swivel connector rotatable about a vertical pivot axis.
15. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 14, further comprising:
a weight support for supporting said mixiing and dispensing gun body in an operative position above said horizontal plane.
a weight support for supporting said mixiing and dispensing gun body in an operative position above said horizontal plane.
16. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 15, wherein:
said weight support for said mixing and dispensing gun comprises a balancer attached to said pivot arm, said balancer having an adjustably elongated tensioned line attached to said gun body for counterbalance, said balancer being pivotally attached to a top of said gun body, said line being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis perpendicular to said common horizontal pivot axis of said two swivel connectors connected to said two spaced lateral gun inlets.
said weight support for said mixing and dispensing gun comprises a balancer attached to said pivot arm, said balancer having an adjustably elongated tensioned line attached to said gun body for counterbalance, said balancer being pivotally attached to a top of said gun body, said line being rotatable about a vertical pivot axis perpendicular to said common horizontal pivot axis of said two swivel connectors connected to said two spaced lateral gun inlets.
17. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 16, wherein:
said actuating trigger controls said dispensing valve means with compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply.
said actuating trigger controls said dispensing valve means with compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply.
18. Use of the mixing and dispensing system of claim 17, wherein:
said two chemically reactive fluids comprise a two-component polysulfide sealant for insulating glass.
said two chemically reactive fluids comprise a two-component polysulfide sealant for insulating glass.
19. The mixing and dispensing system of claim 17, wherein:
said actuating trigger further controls with said compressed air an air motor that drives said pump means, whereby upon release of said actuating trigger, said compressed air is diverted away from said air motor through an exhaust means to stop the air motor and avoid static pressure build up in said two flexible hoses.
said actuating trigger further controls with said compressed air an air motor that drives said pump means, whereby upon release of said actuating trigger, said compressed air is diverted away from said air motor through an exhaust means to stop the air motor and avoid static pressure build up in said two flexible hoses.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/739,696 US5797546A (en) | 1996-10-29 | 1996-10-29 | Weight-supported adjustable mixing and dispensing gun for two chemically reactive materials |
| US08/739,696 | 1996-10-29 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2219264A1 CA2219264A1 (en) | 1998-04-29 |
| CA2219264C true CA2219264C (en) | 1999-08-03 |
Family
ID=24973414
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002219264A Expired - Fee Related CA2219264C (en) | 1996-10-29 | 1997-10-23 | Weight-supported adjustable mixing and dispensing gun for two chemically reactive materials |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5797546A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2219264C (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7040884B2 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2006-05-09 | Euretech International Pty Ltd. | Apparatus and process for forming plastic laminated panels |
| JP3757963B2 (en) * | 2002-11-12 | 2006-03-22 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Functional droplet discharge head suction device, droplet discharge device, electro-optical device manufacturing method, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus |
| US6601782B1 (en) | 2002-12-23 | 2003-08-05 | Plas-Pak Industries, Inc. | Disposable spray nozzle assembly |
| EP1902629B2 (en) * | 2006-09-20 | 2015-06-17 | Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. | Apparatus for producing a confectionery product from multiple components |
| US7744019B2 (en) * | 2006-09-27 | 2010-06-29 | Alphagen Materials Technology, Inc. | Spray gun |
| ITTV20060187A1 (en) * | 2006-10-20 | 2008-04-21 | For El Base Di Vianello Fortunato & C Snc | AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR VERSATILE AND ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION OF AT LEAST TWO TYPES OF SEALANT ALONG THE PERIMETER EDGE OF INSULATING GLASS |
| US7913383B1 (en) * | 2008-04-23 | 2011-03-29 | The Patent Store Llc | Manufacture of waterproof wire connectors |
| US20110054706A1 (en) * | 2009-09-02 | 2011-03-03 | Murphy Gerard J | Kitchen gun system |
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| US332515A (en) * | 1885-12-15 | Wesley w | ||
| US2176979A (en) * | 1936-07-27 | 1939-10-24 | Briggs Mfg Co | Pneumatic counterbalancing fixture |
| US2145142A (en) * | 1938-06-24 | 1939-01-24 | Stout Frederick William | Eraser attachment for typewriters |
| US2775481A (en) * | 1953-10-02 | 1956-12-25 | Mitchell Theodore | Paint spray device |
| BE624298A (en) * | 1961-11-18 | |||
| US3265087A (en) * | 1964-01-27 | 1966-08-09 | Edwin B Livingston | Hose supporting boom for car washing installations |
| US3729092A (en) * | 1971-03-12 | 1973-04-24 | W Marcell | Unwind support for coiled wire |
| US3790030A (en) * | 1971-11-08 | 1974-02-05 | F Ives | Liquid resin spray dispensers |
| US4262847A (en) * | 1979-01-02 | 1981-04-21 | Witco Chemical Corporation | Urethane foam gun |
| US4846373A (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1989-07-11 | Penn Laurence R | Apparatus for proportioning or for proportioning and mixing plural different fluid compositions |
| US4643336A (en) * | 1984-12-05 | 1987-02-17 | Kent-Moore Corporation | Mixing and dispensing gun |
| US5033650A (en) * | 1987-03-09 | 1991-07-23 | Laurence Colin | Multiple barrel dispensing device |
| US4771919A (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1988-09-20 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Dispensing device for multiple components |
| US4869400A (en) * | 1988-02-29 | 1989-09-26 | Richard Jacobs | Composition dispensing system |
| US4834293A (en) * | 1988-03-23 | 1989-05-30 | Lichfield William H | Spray wand |
| US4936511A (en) * | 1988-11-28 | 1990-06-26 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Spray gun with disposable liquid handling portion |
| US4951843A (en) * | 1989-08-16 | 1990-08-28 | Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc. | Disposable mixing chamber liner and paddle for a dynamic mixing and dispensing gun |
| US5069881A (en) * | 1990-07-10 | 1991-12-03 | Mobay Corporation | Device and method for applying adhesives |
| US5242115A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 1993-09-07 | Fomo Products, Inc. | Apparatus and method for mixing and dispensing and mixing nozzle therefore |
| US5224629A (en) * | 1992-03-19 | 1993-07-06 | Hsich Rong Fuh | Control structure for a pneumatic sealant gun |
| US5383581A (en) * | 1992-12-16 | 1995-01-24 | Jet Spray Corp. | Static mixing nozzle |
| US5333760A (en) * | 1992-12-28 | 1994-08-02 | Coltene/Whaledent, Inc. | Dispensing and mixing apparatus |
| US5332313A (en) * | 1993-03-12 | 1994-07-26 | Dow Corning Corporation | Nozzle mixer assembly |
| US5330106A (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1994-07-19 | Graco Inc. | Hose swivel system for dispensers |
| US5372389A (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1994-12-13 | Graco Inc. | Nozzle swivel joint |
| US5388768A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1995-02-14 | American Matrix Technologies, Inc. | Spray gun with a catalyst injector and a manifold block |
| US5405083A (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 1995-04-11 | American Matrix Technologies, Inc. | Spray gun with disposable mixer |
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| US5499745A (en) * | 1994-02-18 | 1996-03-19 | Nordson Corporation | Apparatus for mixing and dispensing two chemically reactive materials |
-
1996
- 1996-10-29 US US08/739,696 patent/US5797546A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-10-23 CA CA002219264A patent/CA2219264C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2219264A1 (en) | 1998-04-29 |
| US5797546A (en) | 1998-08-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |