CN-122028972-A - Multicomponent cup, system and method of use

Abstract

A multi-component cup system may include a first reagent reservoir (133) having a first volume, a second reagent reservoir (135) having a second volume, and first and second control apertures (240 a,240 b) connected thereto. Each control orifice has a through-hole size optimized for the mixing ratio of reagents in the first and second reservoirs. The system may further include a mixer (340) and a plurality of pistons (420 a,420 b) that, when activated, drive the reagents in the first and second reservoirs to a static mixer, thereby producing a mixed coating composition of the first and second reagents.

Inventors

• C. CanSino
• I. M. JONES
• J. S. Valzinski
• D. R. Vogels
• J. R. Xiao Yate

Assignees

• PPG工业俄亥俄公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20241001

Priority Date

20231011

Claims (20)

1. 1. A multi-component cup system for containing and mixing multiple coating reagents as desired, comprising: a first reagent reservoir having a first volume, the first reagent reservoir connected to a first orifice, the first reservoir configured to hold a reactive coating reagent, wherein the reactive coating reagent comprises a cross-linking agent or a catalyst; A second reagent reservoir having a second volume, the second reagent reservoir connected to a second orifice different from the first orifice, the second reservoir configured to hold a polymer reagent separate from the first reservoir; A first control orifice and a second control orifice, each of the first or second control orifices being communicatively connected to each of the first and second reagent reservoirs, respectively, wherein each control orifice has a through-hole size optimized for a mixing ratio of reagents in the first and second reservoirs; Mixer, and A plurality of pistons which, when activated, drive the reagents in the first and second reservoirs to the mixer, thereby producing a mixed coating composition of the first and second reagents.
2. 2. The multi-component cup system of claim 1, further comprising: A mixing conduit for housing the mixer, the mixing conduit configured to receive reagents from the first and second reservoirs.
3. 3. The multi-component cup system of claim 2, wherein: the mixer is a static mixer, and Movement of the reagents from the first and second reservoirs around the mixer causes the reagents to mix together.
4. 4. The multi-component cup system of any of claims 2 or 3, further comprising: An optional reservoir communicatively coupled to the mixing conduit.
5. 5. The multi-component cup system of claim 4, wherein: The optional reservoir being used as a mixture reservoir and storing the reagents of the first and second reservoirs in a mixed form, and The optional reservoir provides the reagent in the mixed form directly to the coating applicator as desired.
6. 6. The multi-component cup system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a lid covering at least the first and second reservoirs; wherein the cap seals the first and second coating reagents from mixing together within the first and second reservoirs.
7. 7. The multi-component cup system of claim 6, wherein the lid further covers an optional reservoir of the multi-component cup system.
8. 8. The multi-component cup system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: A lower nozzle interface coupled to each of the first and second reagent reservoirs; Wherein each lower nozzle interface couples a pressure supply source to a corresponding piston positioned in the reservoir.
9. 9. The multi-component cup system of claim 8, wherein: Each lower nozzle interface includes an internal cavity for receiving a reagent container.
10. 10. The multi-component cup system of claim 9, wherein: the reagent container including the piston therein, and Activation of the pressure supply causes pressurized air to flow through the lower nozzle interface to drive the corresponding piston within the reagent container.
11. 11. The multi-component cup system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second apertures direct output to a single delivery point.
12. 12. The multi-component cup system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a solenoid communicatively attached in series with the first and second reagent reservoirs and the mixing conduit; wherein the solenoid is configured to adjust the volume of reagent delivered to the mixing conduit.
13. 13. The multi-component cup system of any of the preceding claims, wherein: the first and second apertures including through holes of different sizes relative to each other, and The differently sized through holes of the first and second apertures enable differential flow of reagents into the mixing conduit.
14. 14. A method of applying a multi-component coating, comprising: Adding a quantity of a first reagent into a first reagent reservoir of a multi-component cup, wherein the first reservoir is coupled with a first control orifice to be applied to the first reagent reservoir, wherein the first control orifice provides a volumetric flow rate; Adding a quantity of a second reagent to a second reagent reservoir of a multi-component cup, wherein the second reservoir is coupled with a second control orifice to be applied to the second reagent reservoir, wherein the second control orifice provides a volumetric flow rate; activating a pressure supply, wherein activation causes the pressure supply to supply pressurized gas to a lower nozzle of each of the first and second reagent reservoirs, and Driving a piston in the first reagent reservoir and a piston in the second reagent reservoir with the pressurized gas to pump a corresponding reagent outwardly to the corresponding first or second control orifice; Wherein the first and second apertures cause different amounts of the first reagent to mix with the second reagent to form a reagent mixture consistent with a predetermined mixing ratio.
15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein activating the pressure supply causes the first and second reagents to flow into a mixing conduit.
16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mixing conduit further comprises a static mixer.
17. 17. The method of any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein: The mixing conduit is communicatively connected to an optional reservoir comprising a mixture reservoir, and The optional reservoir is communicatively connected to the coating applicator such that upon activation of the pressure supply, the reagent mixture flows from the mixture reservoir into the coating applicator.
18. 18. The method of any one of claims 14 to 17, further comprising: Passing the first and second reagents through a switch; wherein the switch provides the first and second reagents to the mixing conduit in response to a relative volume of reagent mixture in the mixture reservoir.
19. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the switch is controlled by a solenoid electronically coupled to the coating applicator.
20. 20. A multi-component cup system for containing and mixing multiple coating reagents as desired, comprising: a first reagent reservoir having a first volume, the first reagent reservoir connected to a first orifice, the first reservoir configured to hold a reactive coating reagent, wherein the reactive coating reagent comprises a cross-linking agent or a catalyst; A second reagent reservoir having a second volume, the second reagent reservoir connected to a second orifice different from the first orifice, the second reservoir configured to hold a polymer reagent separate from the first reservoir; A catheter assembly having a first control orifice and a second control orifice, each of the first or second control orifices being communicatively connected to each of the first and second reagent reservoirs, respectively, wherein each control orifice has a through-hole size optimized for a mixing ratio of reagents in the first and second reservoirs, and A static mixer; Wherein the first and second reagent reservoirs, the static mixer, and the catheter assembly are configured in positions to enable either (i) pressurized reagent delivery of mixed reagent to a coating applicator, or (ii) gravity reagent delivery to the coating applicator.

Description

Multicomponent cup, system and method of use Technical Field The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, computer-implemented method and system for a spray cup for providing a 2K coating. Background The coating manufacturer typically provides the coating in the form of a mixed reagent in some pre-set volume that is ready to be applied or ready to be mixed. For example, a coating manufacturer may provide a retail store with several sets of pre-mixed coatings in a sealed container, where the end user needs to apply the coating, or manually add another agent (such as a hardener), and then apply the coating to a given object. In some cases, the user may save the remaining, unused volume for later application, while some mixtures may begin to denature immediately if not applied quickly and thus need to be discarded after the project is completed. In an industrial environment, a coating manufacturer may similarly provide a mixed or unmixed coating, and an industrial user may use various equipment to properly mix the toner and binder prior to applying the coating. In general, most conventional coatings in the form of a primer or color layer can be mixed in advance and then stored without much difficulty. However, some coatings, such as "2K coatings", require mixing with another component (such as a hardener, catalyst, activator, cross-linker, polymerizer, or other similar reactive agent) prior to application. Once the hardener is applied, the end user needs to apply the hybrid coating in a rather limited time, depending on the components and mixture. Waste may occur when the required amount and mixture is inaccurate, or if the application of the mixture is delayed resulting in deterioration of the mixture. Disclosure of Invention The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods that enable delivery of coating agents at the correct mixing ratio. For example, the coating applicator may include a multi-component cup and/or one or more additional compartments. The multi-component cup may include a plurality of reservoirs. The plurality of reservoirs may contain a coating reagent or coating reagent container inserted therein, which cooperates with one or more pistons and pumping means to provide on-demand mixing of the components in appropriate amounts upon application of the coating. For example, a multi-component cup system for containing and mixing multiple coating reagents as desired may include a first reagent reservoir having a first volume, the first reagent reservoir connected to a first orifice, the first reservoir configured to contain a reactive coating reagent, wherein the reactive coating reagent includes a crosslinking agent or catalyst. The multi-component cup may further include a second reagent reservoir having a second volume, the second reagent reservoir connected to a second orifice different from the first orifice, the second reservoir configured to hold a polymeric reagent separate from the first reservoir. In addition, the multicomponent cup may include a first control orifice and a second control orifice, each of the first or second control orifices being communicatively connected to each of the first and second reagent reservoirs, respectively, wherein each control orifice has a through-hole size optimized for a mixing ratio of reagents in the first and second reservoirs. Furthermore, the multicomponent cup may comprise a mixer. Still further, the multi-component cup may include a plurality of pistons that, when activated, drive the reagents in the first and second reservoirs to a static mixer, thereby producing a mixed coating composition of the first and second reagents. Additionally, a method of applying a multi-component coating may include adding an amount of a first reagent to a first reagent reservoir of a multi-component cup, wherein the first reservoir is coupled with a first control orifice to be applied to the first reagent reservoir. The first control orifice provides a volumetric flow rate. The method may further include adding an amount of a second reagent to a second reagent reservoir of the multi-component cup, wherein the second reservoir is coupled with a second control orifice to be applied to the second reagent reservoir. The second control orifice provides a volumetric flow rate. Additionally, the method may include activating a pressure supply, wherein activation causes the pressure supply to supply pressurized fluid to a lower nozzle of each of the first and second reagent reservoirs. Further, the method may include driving a piston in the first reagent reservoir and a piston in the second reagent reservoir with the pressurized gas to pump the corresponding reagent outwardly to the corresponding first or second control orifice. The first and second apertures cause different amounts of the first reagent to mix with the second reagent to form a reagent mixture consistent with a predetermined mixing ratio. Additional features and advantages will be set forth