Gel-based marking system
AssigneeHer Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence of Her Majesty's Canadian Government
InventorsRobert O. Ellingson, Stephen G. Penzes, Mick Saruwatari, Kevin Saruwatari, Craig Poulsom
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Abstract
Apparatus and process for marking a surface with a highly visible and substantive mark comprising mixing a dry granular, free-flowing superabsorbent polymer powder with liquid, preferably water, and dye to form a semi-solid gel and depositing the gel onto the surface to be marked. The marking apparatus comprises a chamber for mixing the gel and a ram used to eject the gel from the chamber without excess mechanical agitation and without causing significant breakdown of the gel. The dye makes the gel very visible, the bulk of the gel makes it more easily visible, the nature of the gel makes it temporary; easily dispersed with time, sunlight or water.
Claims11
A process for placing a visible temporary mark on a horizontal surface, said process comprising the steps of:
- providing a dry granular, free-flowing superabsorbent polymer powder and a visible dye;
- providing a cylinder having a closed end and a piston movable therein wherein a mixing chamber is formed between the closed end and the piston, and the closed end includes an outlet;
- combining the polymer powder, the dye, and a liquid in the mixing chamber so as to form a semi-solid gel;
- moving the piston within the cylinder towards the closed end so as to reduce the volume of the mixing chamber;
- and
- displacing the gel from the cylinder and out of the outlet so as to deposit the gel onto the surface to be marked.
A process for placing a visible temporary mark on a horizontal surface, said process comprising the steps of:
- providing a dry granular, free-flowing superabsorbent polymer powder and a visible dye;
- combining the polymer powder, the dye, and a liquid in a mixing chamber so as to form a semi-solid gel, wherein the mixing chamber is a cylinder;
- and
- moving a piston within the cylinder to reduce the volume in the mixing chamber so as to displace the gel from an outlet in the chamber and to deposit the gel onto the surface to be marked.
A process for placing a visible temporary mark on the ground at a site, said process comprising the steps of:
- identifying the location of the site;
- providing a dry granular, free-flowing superabsorbent polymer powder and a visible dye;
- combining the polymer powder, the dye, and a liquid in a mixing chamber so as to form a semi-solid gel, wherein the mixing chamber is a cylinder;
- and
- moving a piston within the cylinder to reduce the volume in the mixing chamber so as to displace the gel from an outlet in the chamber and to deposit the gel at the identified location of the site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.