Abstract: A spray-up operator may conveniently control the application of a gel-coat material to a mold or preform to achieve a uniform coating by using an application means comprising a manipulatable nozzle and air control assembly including a liquid nozzle for forming the catalyzed gel-coat material into a fan-like film with substantially flat faces and expanding stream-like edges extending from a liquid orifice, and an air nozzle assembly for directing independently controllable flows of compressed air at the substantially flat faces and at the expanding stream-like edges of the fan-like film.

Abstract: In an air-operated plural component dispensing hand gun, including a sliding mixing and dispensing element that forms, with a pair of component inlet blocks, the valves controlling the mixing and dispensing of the plural component materials, the substantial friction imposed by metal seal elements that provide valve seals may be overcome by two serially connected pistons that operate along a common axis within two separate axially arranged cylinder portions to effect valve control of and mixing and dispensing of the plural component materials.

Abstract: In an airless dispensing system, liquids may be dispensed at variable angles from substantially 0° to as much as 50°-60°, by a simple adjustment made by a dispenser operator without ceasing operation or disassembling the dispenser apparatus. A variable angle liquid dispenser comprises a nozzle having a forward face with a dispensing orifice, a first passageway in the nozzle having a central axis intersecting the dispensing orifice, a plurality of angled second passageways in the nozzle, each angled second passageway having a central axis intersecting the dispensing orifice and the central axis of the first passageway, and a variable flow control adjustable to vary the flows of liquid entering the first passageway and the plurality of angled second passageways and to thereby vary the included angle of the liquid dispensed from the dispensing orifice and the width of liquid that may be applied to a substrate.

Abstract: An improved internal mix plural component dispensing apparatus can be easily disassembled for repair and maintenance and reduces the surfaces that are exposed to mixed plural component material. In the dispenser, a dispenser body and a movable valving-mixing element are combined so that the dispenser body movably carries the entire valving-mixing element within a central cavity of the dispenser body and the valving-mixing element is movable between a forward dispensing position and a rearward non-dispensing position and is removable from the dispenser body after the removal of a single dispenser body closure.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of improving mixing of a plural component putty-like material is disclosed. The invention includes an applicator having a plurality of first component channels for flowing a first, highly viscous component, and a central channel communicating with a plurality of transverse channels for flowing a second, lower viscous component into conjoined flow paths with the first component.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus of the invention, plural materials, such as a liquid resin and curing agent, are delivered to a dispenser body including a mixing cavity and a mixing element carried in the mixing cavity of the body and carrying a dispenser outlet. The mixing element sealingly engages the mixing cavity and forms, within the mixing cavity, a central chamber into which the plural materials are delivered. The mixing element includes a first conduit extending longitudinally between a forwardmost opening and the central portion of the mixing element, and further includes a second conduit extending transversely between a sidewall opening to the central chamber and the first conduit and containing a static mixing insert. Plural materials delivered to the dispenser body are mixed in transit through the mixing cavity, the transverse second conduit and static mixer, and the first conduit and dispensed through the dispenser outlet.

Abstract: A plural component dispensing system includes flow monitoring system to interrupt operation and/or provide an audible and/or visual warning signal to an operator if the flow of one component of a plural component material stops or reaches an unacceptable value. In the flow monitoring system, a pilot valve can be connected with a pressure generated to indicate the flow of the monitored component, and with an adjustable pressure indicative of acceptable/unacceptable flows, and can provide an output to interrupt system operation in the event of an unacceptable flow of the monitored component. In systems of the invention where operation is not interrupted, a warning signal can alert the operator to discontinue dispensing the plural component material until the cause of the unacceptable flow condition has been investigated and corrected.

Abstract: In an external mix, plural component application system, a first component material, such as a resin, is formed into a plurality of small, spaced streams arranged in a two-dimensional array and projected generally at a substrate or article. A second component material, such as a catalyst, is formed into two air-entrained sprays of second component material and directed at the plurality of small, spaced streams of the first component material from adjacent the opposite sides of the array of streams to assist atomization of the small, spaced streams into particles of first component material and to mix the plural components. A plurality of flows of compressed air are directed at the substrate or article from adjacent the opposing sides of the array of streams that are between the two sprays of second component material and provides containment of plural component emissions.

Abstract: Fluid dispensing systems include a novel fluid dispensing system with air motor driven pumps which provide a substantially, constant preselected dispensation of fluids without deleterious transient variations in the fluid output as the dispensing system is operated on and off, a novel valve particularly adapted for use in multi-component dispensing systems to provide selective controlled flow of fluid component materials or of a cleansing solvent in the system, and a novel dispenser for multi-component dispensing systems incorporating the novel valve and, in some embodiments, the novel valve combined with a preferred spraying means.

Abstract: A compact, well defined and easily used spray pattern is formed with substantial containment of the plural component materials and reduced contamination of the work environment. Connections for the plural component materials are supported and carried on a workman's body, and the plurality of components of the plural component material flow to, and are combined at the connections and are carried through a single flexible conduit to a lightweight spray gun easily manipulated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus provide effective application of plural component material from a plurality of air contained small streams, with stabilized stream formation, division and application and with a substantial reduction of VOC emissions in plural component applications, such as gel coat and wet-out applications in the manufacture of reinforced fiberglass articles. In the method, a flow of compressed air is delivered to an applicator and flows of the plural component materials are mixed and formed into a plurality of small, spaced streams extending from the applicator. The flow of compressed air is divided into a plurality of air flows that are directed about the plurality of small, spaced streams of plural component materials and generally adjacent and parallel to the streams. In apparatus for this method, a source of compressed air is provided and an applicator is adapted for connection to the source of compressed air and one or more sources of the plural component materials.

Abstract: An air-assisted, airless atomization, plural component spraying system and method includes a first source of a first component, e.g., a resin; a second source of a second component, e.g., catalyst for the resin; spraying means to mix the resin and catalyst and direct the mixture to a substrate and a source of compressed air. The spraying means includes a nozzle assembly which comprises a liquid nozzle for forming liquid into a fan-like film with expanding edges extending from a liquid orifice, and a nozzle assembly for directing a flow of compressed air and catalyst at the fan-like film closely adjacent the liquid orifice. In an internal mix system, compressed air is directed to impinge upon the expanding edges of the fan-like stream of mixed resin and catalyst downstream of the impingement of a flow of compressed air on the fan-like stream to capture particles in small, uniform spray pattern.

Abstract: A plural component tester for measuring the ratio of plural components delivered from a spray device during plural component spraying. The components are introduced into the tester through an elastomeric seal which separately channels each component into individual hoses. Each component is then separately advanced by the hosing and delivered to separate graduated containers which collect each component separately for easy and convenient measuring.

Abstract: An external mix, air-assisted, airless atomization, plural component spraying system and method includes a first source of a first component, e.g., a resin; a second source of a second component, e.g., catalyst for the resin; spraying means to mix the resin and catalyst and direct the mixture to a substrate; a source of compressed air; and means for injecting the catalyst into the compressed air. The spraying means includes a nozzle assembly which comprises a liquid nozzle for forming the resin into a fan-like film with expanding edges extending from a liquid orifice, and a nozzle assembly for directing a flow of compressed air and catalyst at the fan-like film colsely adjacent the liquid orifice. In a preferred embodiment, compressed air is directed to impinge upon the expanding edges of the fan-like resin stream downstream of the impingement of the flow of compressed air and catalyst particles to capture from catalyst particles in small, uniform spray pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing plural component materials, especially rigid urethane structures, from reactive components. The system includes a source of a first component, a source of a second component, a sprayer for mixing the components and for dispensing the mixture therefrom, and a delivery system for delivering the components to the sprayer. The delivery system is designed to continuously recirculate the components from their respective sources to the sprayer and back to the sources and includes positive displacement piston pumps simultaneously driven by a single motor. The system further includes means for calibrating the rates of flow of the components in the delivery system and a chopper to direct reinforcing glass fibers into the component mixture dispensed from the sprayer.

Abstract: An internal mix, air-assisted, airless atomization, plural component spraying system includes a source of resin; a source of catalyst for the resin; a spray gun to mix the resin and catalyst and direct the mixture as a spray to a substrate; and a source of compressed air to assist in atomization of the mixed resin and catalyst. The spray gun includes a mixing apparatus and an atomizer including a liquid nozzle for forming the mixed resin and catalyst into a fan-like film with expanding edges extending from a liquid orifice, and an air nozzle for forcing a flow of compressed air to converge at an elongated air orifice and expand in a fan-like flow.