U.S. patent application number 12/144860 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for orientation-independent fluid delivery apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Accessories Marketing, Inc.. Invention is credited to James M. Cegelski, James Fahey, Scott Noble Hickman.
Application Number | 20080257448 12/144860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37036121 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080257448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hickman; Scott Noble ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
ORIENTATION-INDEPENDENT FLUID DELIVERY APPARATUS
Abstract
A fluid delivery device that may be used in any orientation is
presented. The device includes a container, a first fluid in the
container space, an inlet opening attached to a bladder, and an
outlet opening. A second fluid enters the container through the
inlet opening. The bladder, which receives the second fluid as it
enters the container, expands with the amount of second fluid that
is received. As more of the second fluid is received and the
bladder expands, the first fluid is pushed out of the container
through the outlet opening. The device may be used as a tire repair
system, for example by coupling the inlet opening to an air
compressor and coupling the outlet tube to a tire. The first fluid
that's in the container space would be a sealant composition in
this case. Different embodiments of the bladder are possible
depending on the application.
Inventors: |
Hickman; Scott Noble;
(Grover Beach, CA) ; Cegelski; James M.; (Grover
Beach, CA) ; Fahey; James; (Oceano, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DLA PIPER US LLP
2000 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
E. PALO ALTO
CA
94303-2248
US
|
Assignee: |
Accessories Marketing, Inc.
Grover Beach
CA
|
Family ID: |
37036121 |
Appl. No.: |
12/144860 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11090765 |
Mar 25, 2005 |
7389800 |
|
|
12144860 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29L 2030/00 20130101;
B67D 7/0244 20130101; B29C 73/166 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/26 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/04 20060101
B65B001/04 |
Claims
1. A fluid delivery device comprising: a container defining a
container space; a first fluid in the container space; an inlet
opening through which a second fluid enters the container space; a
bladder in the container, wherein the bladder is attached to the
inlet opening such that the bladder receives the second fluid and
expands as the second fluid enters the container space through the
inlet opening; and an outlet opening in the container through which
the first fluid exits the container as more of the container space
is occupied by the second fluid.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the bladder is expandable to the
point where the second fluid substantially fills the container
space.
3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pressure relief valve
coupled to the inlet opening, wherein the pressure relief valve
maintains a pressure level of the second fluid in the container
space at or below a predefined level.
4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pressure relief valve
in the container, wherein the pressure relief valve couples the
inlet opening to the outlet opening if a pressure level of the
second fluid in the container space reaches a predefined level.
5. The device of claim 1 further comprising: an inlet tube
connected to the inlet opening, wherein the inlet tube is at least
partially located in the container; and an outlet tube connected to
the outlet opening, wherein the outlet tube is at least partially
located in the container.
6. The device of claim 1 further comprising: an inlet tube
connectable to the inlet opening; and an outlet tube connectable to
the outlet opening; wherein the container is separable from the
inlet tube and the outlet tube.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the inlet tube and the outlet
tube have different lengths.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the bladder comprises a flexible
polymer material.
9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a screen surrounding
the outlet opening.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fluid is a liquid and
the second fluid is a gas.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fluid is a sealant
composition and the second fluid is air.
12. A system for dispensing a fluid, the system comprising: a
housing; an inlet tube and an outlet tube fixed in the housing; a
container containing a first fluid, wherein the container is
disengageably attached to the housing such that the container
receives a second fluid from the inlet tube and the first fluid
exits the container through the outlet tube in response to the
container's receiving of the second fluid; and a bladder attached
to the inlet tube that receives the second fluid and expands inside
the container.
13. The system of claim 12 further comprising: a compressor; and an
inlet connector disengageably connecting the compressor to the
inlet tube to transfer the second fluid to the bladder.
14. The system of claim 13 further comprising as an outlet
connector disengageably connecting the outlet tube to a target
object in need of repair.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the bladder is made of a
vulcanized rubber material.
16. The system of claim 12, wherein the first fluid is a sealant
composition and the second fluid is air.
17. The system of claim 12, wherein the first fluid is a liquid and
the second fluid is a gas.
18. The system of claim 12 further comprising a screen attached to
the outlet tube.
19. The system of claim 12, wherein the bladder is expandable to
the point where the second fluid substantially fills the
container.
20. The system of claim 12 further comprising a pressure relief
valve coupled to the inlet tube, wherein the pressure relief valve
maintains a pressure level of the second fluid in the container at
or below a predefined level.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This continuation application claims priority under 35 USC
.sctn. 120 from U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.
11/090,765, filed on Mar. 25, 2005, and entitled
"Orientation-Independent Fluid Delivery Apparatus", now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,389,800, issue date Jun. 24, 2008, and is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a fluid dispensing
apparatus and particularly to a sealant dispensing apparatus that
is designed to dispense a fluid from a fluid container in any
orientation.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fixing a flat tire for most vehicle operators has
traditionally involved the use of a spare tire and the complex and
dangerous process of installing it. The procedure for installing a
spare tire can take up to an hour and requires that the driver pull
safely to the side of the road, locate the tools, raise the vehicle
using the tools, remove the damaged tire and replace it with spare
wheel assembly that was being carried in the vehicle. After the
spare wheel assembly is securely on, the driver lowers the vehicle
and stows the damaged wheel assembly somewhere in or on the
vehicle. These steps, which are used to fix a flat tire regardless
of ambient temperature, time of day, and weather conditions, are
usually unpleasant, challenging and sometimes dangerous to the
driver. To a driver who is not experienced with tire replacement,
the process can take an undue amount of time and frustration.
Furthermore, this tire replacement process exposes the motorist to
inherent roadside dangers.
[0004] Recently, various products have emerged to address the task
of emergency tire repair and do not require the installation of a
spare tire. These products include run-flat tires, liquid tire
sealants, and aerosol tire sealants, to name a few. However, all of
these products have drawbacks and many introduce significant
challenges and danger to the average motorist.
[0005] Liquid tire sealants with unique fluid dispensing methods
have been proposed. These fluid dispensing methods fall into two
categories; (1) Aerosol dispensers which are comprised on
compressed gas as a propellant integrated with a liquid sealant in
a container and (2) Two-part liquid sealant installation kits that
are comprised of a stand-alone compressed air source which can be
attached to a liquid sealant container to force the liquid sealant
into a tire.
[0006] Aerosol dispensers combine a chemical fluid to be dispensed
with a propellant. The propellants are usually contained in a can
or other type of container. A tube is attached between the can and
a tire via a tire valve stem. The fluid is propelled to the tire
through the tube, and into the tire through the valve stem. When
the fluid reaches the punctured area of the tire, it hardens due to
exposure to air. The hardened fluid forms a temporary, and in some
cases a permanent, repair "patch" on the tire.
[0007] This "tire-patching" method helps eliminate some of the
problems associated with replacing the punctured tire with a spare
tire, such as the need to carry around a large spare wheel
assembly. However, this method does not lessen the roadside danger
to which the driver is exposed. In some cases, such as in the case
of some commercially available aerosol tire sealants, use of the
method may even pose new dangers that are not posed by the
traditional spare tire method. For example, the amount of
propellant in the can may not be enough to properly and safely
inflate the tire to the recommended air pressure level. When an
insufficient amount of propellant is used, the driver ends up
operating a vehicle with a partially inflated tire. A
partially-inflated tire is known to not only compromise the
handling and the general maneuverability of the vehicle during
vehicle operation, but also to cause premature tire failure. Of
further concern is that the propellant in most aerosol sealants is
highly combustible and may explode when exposed to higher
temperature, or ignite when exposed to a flame.
[0008] An alternative method to tire repair is the Two-part system.
The two parts include a fluid sealant and a compressed air source.
The compressed air source allows proper and safe inflation of the
tire, and conveniently allows tire repair without raising the car.
The two-part system also leads to safe handling and control of the
vehicle by allowing the tires to be inflated to the proper
pressure. The Two-part systems do not expose the motorist to the
above risks that are posed by the aerosol sealants.
[0009] Potential advantages of this two part system have not been
fully realized for various reasons. Most Two-part systems require
the air from the compressor to be forced into the sealant container
through an intake. This results in the sealant being forced out of
the container and into the tire through the exhaust outlet. This
design tends to be potentially unreliable. For example, this type
of system frequently does not dispense the sealant unless the
outlet is immersed in a fluid. These type of designs will only work
in certain specific orientations, compromising the reliability of
the device and creating inconvenience to the user.
[0010] Another disadvantage of the two-part system is that it mixes
air with fluid. In many cases, it is not desirable to mix a
chemical with air, which usually contains some water vapor. Mixing
air containing water vapor causes the chemical composition of the
fluid to change. This change can be dramatic depending on the
amounts of air, water vapor, and fluid that are involved.
[0011] Yet another disadvantage of the two-part system is the
hardening of the chemical sealant after use. While being dispensed,
the sealant can contact outlet surfaces and harden, forming a layer
of hardened sealant on the surfaces. Since the hardened sealant is
not easily removable, these hard-coated parts of the dispensing
device usually require replacement. Replacement of the dispenser
parts is inconvenient for the user. Moreover, the overall cost is
increased and the reliability of the product is lowered because the
need to incorporate replaceable parts adds to the complexity of
design.
[0012] International patent WO2004/041649 (Cowan) and U.S. Pat. No.
6,789,581 (Cowan 2004) describe a container of fluid tire sealant
with an intake and an exhaust. An air source supplies compressed
air to the sealant container through the intake. The resulting
pressure in the container pushes the sealant through an exhaust and
into the punctured tire. A downside of this method is the
limitation on the fluid container orientation. To effectively
transfer the sealant to the tire, the exhaust has to be covered by
the sealant inside the container. If the container is oriented so
that the exhaust is above the sealant, only air will be pumped.
Further, the air will be mixed with the fluid in this orientation.
This mixing can change the fluid chemical composition without any
fluid being dispensed. Also, after use, the outlet of the device
becomes contaminated with hardened sealant.
[0013] International patent WO 03/041949 (Eriksen 2002) describes
another variation of this pressurized container method. In this
method, the compressed air does not actually enter the sealant
container. It fills and pressurizes a cavity around the sealant
container. The sealant container has a movable piston at one end.
The pressurized cavity causes this piston to push against the
sealant in the container. The resulting pressure forces the sealant
through an exhaust into a punctured tire.
[0014] In WO 03/041949, a cap covering both the sealant container
and the pressurized cavity serves as a valve. This cap-valve allows
the system to operate simply as a compressor passing air. This
cap-valve alternately allows pressurized sealant to be injected
into a punctured tire. Although this method seems to be
advantageous because it allows orientation-independent operation,
it has its drawbacks. The combination of sealant container, cavity,
and cap-valve increases complexity. This complexity increases the
cost of the device and compromises system reliability. The portion
of the cap-valve that comes into contact with the sealant must be
replaced after use. Sealant will harden when exposed to air or
moisture. This portion of the cap-valve becomes useless due to
hardened sealant.
[0015] International patent WO 99/14031 (Thurner, 1999) describes a
container of sealant fluid that is inside of a pressure chamber.
During use, the chamber is pressurized. This pressurizing
compresses the sealant container, forcing the sealant through an
outlet. A disadvantage with this design is that it does not allow
orientation-independent operation. Plus, this design requires
incorporation of replaceable parts because of hardened sealant on
the outlet parts. Moreover, since the container is compressed
during use, it has to be replaced after use. Depending on the
chemical composition of the fluid, it may be hazardous for the user
to come into contact with the fluid. If the container does not
compress completely, the sealant that remains in the container may
come in contact with the user during the container-removal
process.
[0016] As described above, most Two-part tire repair methods that
are currently available have their disadvantages. A tire repair
method that is inexpensive for the user (e.g., minimal replaceable
parts required) and convenient to use (e.g.,
orientation-independent) is desired.
SUMMARY
[0017] In one aspect, the invention is a fluid delivery device that
includes a container that defines a container space, a first fluid
in the container space, an inlet opening attached to a bladder, and
an outlet opening. A second fluid enters the container space
through the inlet opening, and the bladder receives the second
fluid and expands as the second fluid enters the container space
through the inlet opening. The first fluid exits the container
through the outlet opening as more of the container space is
occupied by the second fluid.
[0018] In another aspect, the invention is a system for dispensing
a fluid. The system includes a housing, an inlet tube and an outlet
tube fixed in the housing, a container containing a first fluid,
and a bladder attached to the inlet tube. The container is
disengageably attached to the housing such that the container
receives a second fluid from the inlet tube and the first fluid
exits the container through the outlet tube in response to the
container's receiving of the second fluid. The bladder receives the
second fluid and expands inside the container.
[0019] In another aspect, the invention is a kit for dispensing
fluid. The kit includes a cap having an inlet tube and an outlet
tube, an inlet connector for connecting the inlet tube to a
compressor, and a bladder coupled to the inlet tube so that the
bladder can receive a fluid from the inlet tube. The bladder
expands as it receives the fluid. The kit further includes an
outlet tube for connecting the outlet tube to an object in need of
repair, and a container of sealant that is couplable to the cap
such that the sealant exits the container through the outlet tube
as the bladder expands.
[0020] In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of
delivering a fluid. The method entails providing a container
holding a first fluid, wherein the container has an outlet opening,
and inflating a bladder inside the container such that inflation of
the bladder forces the first fluid to pass through the outlet
opening.
[0021] The invention is also a fluid delivery device that includes
a container having a first chamber and a second chamber, a first
fluid in the first chamber, and a second fluid in the second
chamber. There are a first inlet opening through which a third
fluid enters the first chamber and a second inlet opening through
which the third fluid enters the second chamber. A first bladder in
the first chamber is attached to the first inlet opening such that
the first bladder receives the third fluid and expands as the third
fluid enters the first chamber through the first inlet opening. A
second bladder in the second chamber is attached to the second
inlet opening such that the second bladder receives the third fluid
and expands as the third fluid enters the second chamber through
the second inlet opening. The first chamber has a first outlet
opening through which the first fluid exits the first chamber as
the first bladder expands, and the second chamber has a second
outlet opening through which the second fluid exits the second
chamber as the second bladder expands.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an overall view of an exemplary fluid delivery
system that is used for tire repair.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the delivery device
including the cap connected to the sealant bottle.
[0024] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device of
FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device
focusing on the junction of the cap and the container.
[0026] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the cap in accordance
with the invention.
[0027] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the container that is
suitable for being coupled to the cap of FIG. 4A.
[0028] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device
including a valve outside the container.
[0029] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device
including a valve inside the container.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of the delivery device.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment
of the delivery device.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a system that is adapted
for multi-fluid application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Embodiments of the invention are described herein in the
context of tire repair and inflation. However, it is to be
understood that the particular application provided herein is just
an exemplary application, and the fluid delivery system of the
invention is not limited to the application or the embodiments
disclosed herein. For example, the fluid delivery system of the
invention may be used with a paint sprayer to spray a predetermined
amount of paint and automatically follow with a stream of air to
accelerate drying, with a coating system, fluid injection system,
oiling system, etc.
[0034] The fluid delivery system of the invention uses an
inflatable bladder inside a fluid container (e.g., a sealant
container). This bladder is connected to an inlet through which a
replacement fluid (e.g., air) is received. The bladder expands as
the replacement fluid fills it. As the bladder expands, it conforms
to the shape of the fluid container and forces more of the fluid
that was originally in the container out of the container.
Eventually, when the bladder expands to the approximate size of the
container space, substantially all of the original fluid has been
transferred out of the container through an outlet.
[0035] The fluid delivery system of the invention is not limited to
positioning the fluid container in a particular orientation. Due to
the fact that the bladder expands and conforms to the shape of the
container space, substantially all of the fluid that was originally
in the container will be forced out when the bladder reaches its
maximum expansion.
[0036] The bladder keeps the original fluid and the replacement
fluid separated. Where the original fluid is a sealant and the
replacement fluid is air, the bladder prevents the air (with water
vapor) from changing the composition of the chemical sealant. Thus,
the chemical composition of the original fluid is never
compromised.
[0037] The system of the invention is simple, inexpensive, and
reliable. The bladder itself does not significantly increase the
manufacturing cost because it may be made of inexpensive elastic
material. The user saves money because the entire assembly may be
reused, and no replacement of outlet parts is required after each
use. Parts exposed to the chemical fluid may be discarded in an
appropriate recycling repository. The entire assembly can be made
from recyclable materials.
[0038] FIG. 1 is an overall view of an exemplary fluid delivery
system 10 that is used for tire repair. The fluid delivery system
10 includes a delivery device 31, which includes a cap 20 and a
container 32. The container 32, which holds the sealant fluid that
is to be delivered to the tire 24, is attached to the cap 20. When
the system 10 is used, the delivery device 31 is connected to both
a compressor 22 and the target object being repaired, which in this
case is a tire 24. More specifically, an inlet connector 26 is used
for connecting a compressor 22 to the delivery device 31, and an
outlet connector 28 is used for connecting the delivery device 31
to a valve stem 30 on the tire 24. The compressor 22 may be any
conventional, commercially available compressor, such as a standard
12V automotive air compressor.
[0039] During the operation of the system 10, air is supplied by
the compressor 22 to the delivery device 31 through the inlet
connector 26. The air that enters the container 32 via the cap 20
inflates a bladder (see FIG. 3) inside the container 32. As the
bladder expands, it takes up an increasing amount of space inside
the container 32 and pushes the sealant fluid out of the container
32. The sealant fluid flows out of the container 32 through the
outlet connector 28, and enters the tire 24 via the valve stem 30.
After substantially all the sealant fluid in the container 32 has
been transferred out of the container 32, air enters the tire 24
through the outlet connector 28 to inflate the tire 24. In this
way, a predetermined amount of sealant fluid is delivered to the
tire 24 before air is used to inflate it. Any commercially
available tire sealant fluid may be used with the system 10.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the delivery device 31
including the cap 20 connected to the sealant bottle 32. The cap 20
has an outlet fitting 34 and an inlet fitting 36. The inlet fitting
36, the outlet fitting 34, and the cap 20 may be formed as one
piece. Alternatively, the inlet fitting 36 and the outlet fitting
34 may be screw-in fittings. The container 32 can be made of any
material (flexible or non-flexible, soft or hard) that can hold the
sealant fluid and is convenient for transporting. As shown, the
outlet fitting 34 has a different pattern thereon than the inlet
fitting 36. The different fitting patterns are used to ensure that
the user of the system 10 does not connect the compressor 22 and
the tire 24 to the wrong ends of the cap 20.
[0041] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device 31
of FIG. 2, which includes the cap 20 connected to the sealant
bottle 32. The outlet fitting 34 has an outlet passage 38, and the
inlet fitting 36 has an inlet passage 40. The inlet passage 40 is
connected to a first end of an inlet tube 42, and a second end of
the inlet tube 42 is connected to a bladder 44. The second end of
the inlet tube 42 has an inlet opening 45 through which air enters
the container 32 (more specifically, the bladder 44). The bladder
44 may be made of any flexible, expandable material that does not
allow significant air permeation, including but not limited to
polymer/rubber products, latex, nitrile, neoprene, or some other
elastic material. For example, vulcanized natural rubber may be
used to make the bladder 44. The outlet passage 38 is connected to
a first end of an outlet tube 46, and a second end of the outlet
tube 46 is connected to a screen 48. The second end of the outlet
tube 46 has an outlet opening 47 through which fluids exit the
container 32. A sealant fluid 50 is in the container 32. In this
embodiment, the second end of the outlet tube 46 is positioned
above the fluid level in the container 32, thus preventing the
sealant fluid 50 from flowing into the outlet tube 46 until the
bladder 44 is inflated enough to push up the fluid level to the
height of the outlet tube 46.
[0042] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device 31
focusing on the junction of the cap 20 and the container 32. The
container 32 has a neck 52 with threads 54 that is used to securely
couple the container 32 to the cap 20. The cap 20 has a wall 56,
and the inner surface of the wall 56 has threads 58 that is
designed to fit with the threads 54 on the container neck 52. In
this embodiment, the neck 52 has a diameter that is smaller than
the cross-sectional diameter of the wall 56 and threads into the
wall 56. However, the invention is not so limited and the wall 56
may be designed to thread into the neck 52. A thread sealant 60 is
used to secure the coupling between the cap 20 and the container 32
and to prevent undesirable leakage of fluids.
[0043] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the cap 20 in
accordance with the invention. The cap 20 includes a housing 21
that holds together the inlet passage 40, the inlet tube 42, the
outlet passage 38, the outlet tube 46, and the wall 56. FIG. 4B is
a cross-sectional view of the container 32 that is suitable for
being coupled to the cap 20 of FIG. 4A. The container 32 is sealed
when the container 32 is coupled to the cap 20.
[0044] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the delivery device 31
having a valve 43 outside the container 32. The particular figure
depicts the bladder 44 in a substantially fully-inflated state. A
"fully inflated" state is when the bladder 44 has expanded to about
the same size as the space inside the container 32 so that there is
substantially no sealant fluid remaining in the container space. A
"space" or "container space," as used herein, refers to the space
inside the container and does not include the inlet tube 42 or the
outlet tube 46. When the bladder 44 is inflated, it conforms to the
shape of the space in the container 32. The bladder 44 is made of a
flexible material that can expand around the outlet tube 46, and
the presence of the outlet tube 46 does not interfere with bladder
expansion.
[0045] After the bladder is fully inflated, the bladder may do a
number of things, depending on the embodiment. In one embodiment,
the bladder may be designed to withstand the pressure of the
compressed air source, so that it simply remains inflated. A valve
43 may be coupled to the inlet tube 42 so that the bladder 44
maintains a predefined pressure level after it reaches the
fully-inflated state. The valve 43 may be a pressure-relief valve
that automatically opens once the pressure in the inlet tube 42
reaches a predefined level. While a bladder 44 that is designed to
maintain the predefined pressure level may not be suitable for tire
inflation, it is useful in that it allows the delivery of a
pre-determined amount of fluid. When this type of bladder is used
for tire repair and inflation, the user would need to inflate the
tire after all the sealant is delivered to the tire 24, for example
by connecting the compressor 22 to the tire 24. With this type of
bladder, the bladder simply remains inflated until the compressor
22 is turned off. The entire delivery device 10, including the
bladder 44, can be reused.
[0046] A pressure relief valve may be positioned inside the
container 32, as shown in FIG. 5B. If the pressure relief valve 43
were located inside the container, one possible location for it is
between the inlet tube 42 and the outlet tube 46. Until the
predefined pressure level is reached inside the bladder and the
inlet tube 42, the valve 43 will remain closed, keeping the inlet
tube 42 and the outlet tube 46 separate. Once the predefined
pressure level is reached, however, the valve 43 will open and let
out the extra pressure through the outlet tube 46. Like the
embodiment of FIG. 5A where the valve 43 is outside the container
32, this embodiment allows re-use of the system 10 by avoiding any
damage to the bladder. Compressed air will be passed through the
outlet tube 46 to perform useful tasks. Some of these useful tasks
include inflation, drying, spreading, and texturing. When the valve
43 is located inside the container 32, the delivery device 31 may
be used for tire repair and inflation because it will deliver the
sealant fluid 50 first and then the air.
[0047] The pressure relief valve 43 can be of any simple or
conventional design. For example, it may be a pressure relieving
connection between the inlet and the bladder.
[0048] In an alternative embodiment, the bladder may be designed to
burst once it reaches a "critical size" or a predefined pressure
level. The critical size is preferably approximately equal to the
size of the container space. After the bladder bursts, compressed
air passes directly from the inlet tube 42 to the outlet tube 46.
Thus, after the bladder bursts, the compressed air may be used to
inflate the tire 24. Alternatively, the compressed air may be used
to texture or dry a coated object.
[0049] The screen 48, which surrounds the outlet opening 47 of the
outlet tube 46, prevents clumps or debris (e.g., pieces of the
burst bladder) from entering the outlet tube 46 and potentially
clogging the passage to the tire 24. The mesh size of the screen 48
is adjusted according to the exact composition of the sealant
fluid, bladder material, air pressure, etc. The size of the screen
48 is selected so that even if the bladder debris or sealant clumps
are caught at the screen 48, the opening to the outlet tube 46 will
not be completely blocked. A person of ordinary skill in the art
would understand how to make these decisions.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment where the bladder 44 is
located near the top of the container 32. This is different from
the embodiment of FIG. 3, where the bladder 44 is located near the
bottom of the container 32. The "top" of the container 32 is the
section of the container that is farthest away from the cap 20 when
the cap 20 and the container 32 are coupled. The "bottom" of the
container 32 is the section of the container that is nearest to the
cap 20 when the two parts are coupled. In the embodiment of FIG. 6,
the sealant fluid 50 may flow into the outlet opening 47 before the
compressor 22 is connected and turned on. However, there will be no
significant flow of the sealant fluid 50 through the outlet passage
38 until the air pressure expands the bladder 44 and pushes the
sealant fluid 50 out of the container space. A control valve (not
shown) may be used to prevent the sealant fluid 50 from prematurely
escaping the container 32 through the outlet opening 47.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the container 32 where the
outlet passage 38 and the inlet passage 40 are at opposite ends of
the container. The design of the cap 20 would have to be adjusted
to accommodate the configuration of the container 32. For example,
there is an inlet cap that connects the compressor 22 to the inlet
passage 40, and an outlet cap that connects the outlet passage 38
to the tire valve stem 30 (see FIG. 1). This embodiment operates on
the same principle as the embodiment of FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. The air
flow inflates the bladder 44, which expands and pushes the sealant
50 out through the outlet passage 38. The screen 48 prevents
undesirable debris or clumps from entering the outlet passage
38.
[0052] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a system 10 that is
adapted for a multi-fluid application. For the multi-fluid
application, the container 32 would have multiple chambers 70, each
containing a pre-measured amount of a first fluid and a second
fluid, respectively. Each chamber 70 has an inlet tube 42 and an
outlet opening 47. The inlet tubes 42 are connected to a source of
a third fluid e.g., the compressor 22. Each chamber has a bladder
44 attached to the inlet openings 45 of the inlet tube 42. The
outlet openings 47 are connected to a mixing chamber 70, for
example by a mixing nozzle. When the compressor 22 is connected to
the inlet tube 42 and turned on, the compressed air inflates the
bladders 44. Each of the bladders 44 conforms to the respective
chamber 70 in which they are located. The first and the second
fluids in the chambers 70 are forced out by the each bladder 44
through the outlet openings 47. The first and the second fluids are
deposited in the mixing chamber 72. If there is a mixing nozzle,
the first and the second fluids are mixed by the mixing nozzle
before or at the same time as entering the mixing chamber 72. In
this way, accurately measured components of multi-part chemical
systems may be dispensed. If desired, the components can be
automatically mixed after dispensing. Alternatively, the components
may be mixed by some other means after being dispensed. The
chambers 70 may have different shapes and sizes, or they may be the
same.
[0053] Another useful applications is dispensing of a chemical that
must react with air. The chemical may be dispensed without mixing
of air. Our device will then automatically provide a stream of air
to cause the chemical to perform it's specific function.
[0054] Another useful application is dispensing of two or more part
chemical reactants. These commonly include two part epoxies,
urethanes, polyesters, silicones, or other multi-part chemical
systems. The fluid container can be separated into multiple
chambers. Each chamber includes its own bladder. The chambers can
be different volumes depending on the chemical mix ratio.
Compressed air inflates all bladders dispensing a correctly
measured amount of chemical to be mixed.
[0055] The fluid delivery system and device of the invention
overcome some of the problems associated with the conventional
delivery systems. For example, the system 10 functions regardless
of the exact orientation of the delivery device 31 because the
bladder expansion forces substantially all the sealant out of the
container regardless of orientation. Not having to position the
delivery device in a certain way makes the device convenient for
use. The bladder also makes the device safer to use, as it prevents
the mixing of air and water vapor with the fluid, which can
compromise the sealant composition. The fact that the bladder
conforms to the shape of the container space ensures that a
pre-measured amount of fluid will be dispensed completely, without
significant amount of sealant being left over. There is no need for
replacement of contaminated components after use, and the system
automatically provides compressed air after delivering the sealant
(if the right bladder type is used). The simplicity of design makes
the system affordable and reliable, and all the more so because
most of the parts can be recycled.
[0056] While the above description contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention. Rather, the descriptions are intended to provide
examples of one or more preferred embodiments of the invention.
Many other variations are possible. For example, the inlet and
outlet fittings may be made removable. The cap can be mounted into
a larger housing allowing ease of operation. This larger housing
may also house the compressor, inlet, and outlet. The inlet and
outlet may be located at any point of the container. The cap may be
integral to the container and not a separate part.
[0057] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined
not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and
their equivalents.
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