Mixing and dispensing curable multi-component materials
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJeffrey R. Janssen, Mark F. Schulz, Scott D. Gullicks, Dennis R. Keicher, Bruce R. Broyles, Ryan P. Simmers, Jameel R. Qiblawi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, apparatus, devices and systems for mixing and dispensing multi-component materials. The mixing and dispensing may be performed using a mobile, enclosed dispenser that can be used to supply a mixed multi-component material at the point of use. In some embodiments, the components to be mixed into the multi-component material may be supplied in cartridges.
Claims20
A replaceable cartridge apparatus for a mobile dispenser, wherein the mobile dispenser includes a drive mechanism, the replaceable cartridge apparatus comprising:
- a cartridge housing releasably attachable to the mobile dispenser, the cartridge housing comprising:
- a base end;
- a dispensing end distal from the base end;
- a first cavity located within the cartridge housing and extending from the base end towards the dispensing end, the first cavity configured to contain a first component of a curable multi-component material;
- a second cavity located within the cartridge housing and extending from the base end towards the dispensing end, the second cavity configured to contain a second component of the curable multi-component material;
- and,
- a mixer drive passageway extending through the cartridge housing from the base end of the cartridge housing to the dispensing end of the cartridge housing, the mixer drive passageway defining a drive axis, wherein the mixer drive passageway is configured to receive a rotatable drive shaft, the rotatable drive shaft being adapted for releasable coupling to a dynamic mixer at the dispensing end of the cartridge housing while being adapted for releasable coupling to the drive mechanism of the mobile dispenser at the base end of the cartridge housing.
A replaceable cartridge apparatus for a mobile dispenser, the mobile dispenser including a drive mechanism, the replaceable cartridge apparatus comprising:
- a cartridge housing releasably attachable to the mobile dispenser, the cartridge housing comprising a first cavity located within the cartridge housing and a second cavity located within the cartridge housing, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity extend from a base end of the cartridge housing towards a dispensing end of the cartridge housing distal from the base end,
- wherein the first cavity is configured to contain a first component of a curable multi-component material,
- wherein the second cavity is configured to contain a second component of the curable multi-component material;
- and
- a mixer drive passageway extending through the cartridge housing and defining a drive axis, wherein the mixer drive passageway is configured to receive a rotatable drive shaft, the drive shaft being adapted for releasable coupling to a dynamic mixer at the dispensing end of the cartridge housing while being adapted for releasable coupling to the drive mechanism of the mobile dispenser at the base end of the cartridge housing;
- wherein a temperature of at least one of the first component in the first cavity or the second component in the second cavity is adjustable prior to mixing by a temperature control element.
A replaceable cartridge for a mobile dispenser, the replaceable cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge housing releasably attachable to the mobile dispenser, the cartridge housing comprising a first cavity located within the cartridge housing, the first cavity comprising a first cross-sectional area transverse to a first axis that extends along a length of the first cavity, wherein the cartridge housing further comprises a second cavity located within the cartridge housing, the second cavity comprising a second cross-sectional area transverse to a second axis that extends along a length of the second cavity;
- a spacer sized to fit within the second cavity of the cartridge housing, wherein the spacer extends along the length of the second cavity parallel to the second axis and defines a spacer cross-sectional area that occupies 1% or more of the second cross-sectional area, and wherein the spacer reduces an open cross-sectional area along the second axis within the second cavity;
- a first container in fluid communication with the first cavity, the first container containing a first component of a curable multi-component material;
- and
- a second container in fluid communication with the open cross-sectional area of the of the second cavity, the second container containing a second component of the curable multi-component material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.