초록 ▼

A dispensing system for mixing at least first and second components and dispensing an expanding foam is disclosed. The system includes separate vessels, each containing a foam component, and a dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a cartridge assembly mounted on a body assembly. Th

A dispensing system for mixing at least first and second components and dispensing an expanding foam is disclosed. The system includes separate vessels, each containing a foam component, and a dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a cartridge assembly mounted on a body assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a mix chamber and first and second ports, each for supplying a foam component to the mix chamber. A pair of adjusting valves is mounted to the cartridge assembly with each valve operable to adjust the flow of each foam component to the mix chamber. A pair of hoses connects the vessels to the cartridge assembly. Each adjusting valve is a variable orifice device in the cartridge assembly having the capability of varying the flow area of the port. The present invention also includes a method for adjustably controlling, at the dispensing apparatus, the flow of each of the first and second components to the mixing chamber to alter their ratio therein. Additionally, the throughput of the dispensing apparatus can be controlled by the variable orifice devices.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for mixing and dispensing foam components from a dispensing apparatus comprising the steps of:supplying a first foam component to the dispensing apparatus;supplying a second foam component to the dispensing apparatus;opening a first on-off control valve on the dispensing apparatus to all

1. A method for mixing and dispensing foam components from a dispensing apparatus comprising the steps of:supplying a first foam component to the dispensing apparatus;supplying a second foam component to the dispensing apparatus;opening a first on-off control valve on the dispensing apparatus to allow entry of the first foam component in a first foam component passageway;adjusting, at the dispensing apparatus downstream of the first on-off control valve, a rate at which the first foam component flows into a mix chamber of the dispensing apparatus;mixing the first and second foam components in the mix chamber; anddispensing the mixed foam components from the mixing chamber. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting, at the dispensing apparatus, the rate at which both the first and second foam components flow into the mix chamber. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting step further comprises repositioning a first adjustable orifice valve operably disposed between a passageway into the mix chamber and a passageway operable to supply the first foam component. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the adjusting step further comprises repositioning a second adjustable orifice valve operably disposed between a passageway into the mix chamber and a passageway operable to supply the second foam component. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of opening a second on-off control valve on the dispensing apparatus to allow entry of the second foam component in a second foam component passageway. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of adjusting, at the dispensing apparatus downstream of the second on-off control valve, a rate at which the second foam component flows into the mix chamber of the dispensing apparatus. 7. A foam dispensing apparatus for mixing a plurality of foam components used in the formation of an expanding foam and dispensing the mixed foam components, comprising:a body assembly;a cartridge assembly mounted on the body assembly, the cartridge assembly including a mix chamber;means for supplying at least a first and a second foam component to the mix chamber;a first on-off control valve operably disposed between the mix chamber and the means for supplying the first and second foam components; anda first valve operably coupled to the cartridge assembly downstream of the first on-off control valve, the first valve operable to adjust a flow rate of the first foam component into the mix chamber. 8. The foam dispensing apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a second valve operably coupled to the cartridge assembly, the second valve operable to adjust a flow rate of the second foam component into the mix chamber. 9. The foam dispensing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising the first and second valves including a needle operable to sealingly engage respective fluid passageways disposed between the mix chamber and the means for supplying the first and second foam components. 10. The foam dispensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second valves are threadedly coupled to the cartridge assembly. 11. The foam dispensing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising first and second fluid passageways aligned on opposing sides of the mix chamber such that the first and second foam components are optimally mixed therein. 12. The foam dispensing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a second on-off control valve operably disposed between the mix chamber and the means for supplying the second foam component. 13. The foam dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second on-off control valves are operably coupled to the cartridge assembly. 14. A dispensing system for mixing and dispensing an expanding foam, comprising:a first vessel containing a first foam component;a second vessel containing a second foam component;a dispensing apparatus having a cartridge assembly including a mix chamber with first and second fluid passageways;a first hose connecti ng the first vessel to the first fluid passageway, the first fluid passageway having a flow area;a second hose connecting the second vessel to the second fluid passageway, the second fluid passageway having a flow area;a first variable orifice device disposed on the cartridge assembly, the first variable orifice device operable to vary the flow area of the first fluid passageway;a first on-off control valve disposed upstream of the first variable orifice device; anda second variable orifice device disposed on the cartridge assembly, the second variable orifice device operable to vary the flow area of the second fluid passageway. 15. The dispensing system of claim 14, further comprising:the first and second variable orifice devices including a needle disposed thereon; andwherein the flow area of the respective fluid passageways may be is varied by repositioning the needle proximate thereto. 16. The dispensing system of claim 15, wherein the respective needles are operable to sealingly engage the respective fluid passageways. 17. The dispensing system of claim 16, wherein the respective needles have a tapered end operable to engage the respective fluid passageways. 18. The dispensing system of claim 14, wherein the first and second fluid passageways are disposed proximate one another and on opposing sides of the mix chamber such that the first and second foam components may be are optimally mixed upon entry therein. 19. The dispensing system of claim 14, further comprising:a third vessel operably coupled to the first and second vessels,wherein the third vessel is operable to pressurize the first and second vessels such that the first and second foam components are distributed to the dispensing apparatus. 20. The dispensing system of claim 19, further comprising:an air cylinder assembly operably coupled to the cartridge assembly and the mix chamber; anda third hose connecting the third vessel to a port disposed on the cartridge assembly, the port operably coupled to the air cylinder assembly,wherein the third hose is operable to provide pressure to the air cylinder assembly such that mixed foam components are discharged from the dispensing apparatus. 21. The dispensing system of claim 14, wherein the first and second vessels are pre-pressurized. 22. A dispensing system for mixing and dispensing an expanding foam, comprising:a first vessel containing a first foam component;a second vessel containing a second foam component;a dispensing apparatus having a cartridge assembly including a mix chamber with first and second fluid passageways;a first hose connecting the first vessel to the first fluid passageway the first fluid passageway having a flow area;a second hose connecting the second vessel to the second fluid passageway, the second fluid passageway having a flow area;a first variable orifice device disposed on the cartridge assembly the first variable orifice device operable to vary the flow area of the first fluid passageway;a second variable orifice device disposed on the cartridge assembly, the second variable orifice device operable to vary the flow area of the second fluid passageway;a first on-off control valve operably coupled between the first hose and the first fluid passageway, the first on-off control valve operable to restrict flow of the first foam component from the first hose to the first variable orifice device; anda second on-off control valve operably coupled between the second hose and the second fluid passageway, the second on-off control valve operable to restrict flow of the second foam component from the second hose to the second variable orifice device.