Reactive reagent dispensing system and method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a dispensing system for dispensing a reactive coating agent, the dispensing system comprising a frame (102), an agent container (108) coupled to the frame, the agent container having a first end and a second end, the agent container storing a coating agent in a non-reactive environment. The system also includes a first channel (114A) removably connected to the first end, the first channel for providing a non-reactive gas to the first end of the reagent container. In addition, the system includes a second channel (114B) removably connected to the second end, the second channel for dispensing the coating agent to a receiving container. Further, the system includes a pressure regulator (116) communicably attached at one end to the first channel and communicably attached at another end to a pressure device, where a pressure change through the pressure regulator changes gas delivery through the first channel to cause a corresponding flow of a coating agent through the second channel.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to apparatus, computer-implemented methods, and systems for providing or distributing coating agents for final application.

[0003] 2. Background

[0004] Coating manufacturers typically supply coatings in pre-mixed volumes, ready to apply or ready to be mixed, in the form of a mixture. For example, a coating manufacturer might supply retail stores with several sets of pre-mixed coatings in sealed containers, where the end user either applies the coating or manually adds another agent (such as a hardener) and then applies the coating to a given object. In some cases, users may save remaining, unused volumes for later application, while certain mixtures may begin to degrade immediately if not applied quickly and therefore need to be discarded after the project is completed. In industrial environments, coating manufacturers may similarly supply mixed or unmixed coatings, and industrial users can use various equipment to properly mix the toner and binder before applying the coating. Generally, most conventional coatings in the form of primers or color coats can be pre-mixed and subsequently stored without much difficulty.

[0005] Some coatings, such as "2K coatings," require mixing another component (such as a hardener, catalyst, activator, crosslinking agent, polymerizer, or other similar reactive agent) before application. Unfortunately, various factors, such as the choice and amount of components in a given mixture, can significantly affect the functionality and appearance of the resulting coating. Therefore, small errors in selection and mixing can lead to waste. The selection and mixing process can be particularly challenging for less skilled workers, and such problems can be especially pronounced in smaller auto repair shops, where the cost of waste may be more critical.

[0006] Therefore, there are many difficulties in this field that can be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure provides systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products capable of delivering sensitive or reactive coating reagents on demand and in a variable manner while minimizing their damage. For example, this disclosure provides various components capable of delivering reagents from a reagent container while maintaining the original inert or non-reactive environment within the container, wherein the inert environment enables long-term preservation of the reagent. This can be accomplished in part by delivering the coating reagent under pressure using an inert gas, or by passive delivery using an atmospheric gas that has otherwise been passivated to remove reactive elements, such as water or other moisture. The components, systems, and methods described herein enable end users to obtain precise amounts of coating reagent dispensed into individual receiving containers while avoiding contamination of the reagent container (i.e., reagent storage container) with any remaining reagent.

[0008] For example, a dispensing system for dispensing stored reactive coating reagents from a reagent container to a receiving container while maintaining a non-reactive environment within the reagent container may include a frame and a reagent container removably attached to the frame, the reagent container having a first end and a second end, the reagent container storing the coating reagent within the non-reactive environment. The dispensing system may also include a first channel removably connected to the first end for supplying a non-reactive gas to the first end of the reagent container. Additionally, the dispensing system may include a second channel removably connected to the second end for dispensing the coating reagent into the receiving container. Furthermore, the dispensing system may include a pressure regulator communicatively attached to the first channel at one end and communicatively attached to a pressure device at the other end, wherein pressure changes by the pressure regulator alter the gas delivery through the first channel to induce a corresponding flow of the coating reagent through the second channel.

[0009] Similarly, a computer-implemented method for dispensing reactive coating reagents from a reagent container to a reagent receiving container while maintaining a non-reactive environment within the reagent container may include receiving a set of coating variables via a computing system, the set of coating variables including: (i) data corresponding to local environmental data at a location near the coating application area, and (ii) one or more application variables supplied by an end user for applying the coating to an object. The method may also include, based on the received coating variables, identifying the reactive reagent to be dispensed, the non-reactive environment in which the reactive reagent is stored within the reagent container, and (ii) the amount of the reactive reagent to be dispensed, via the computing system. Additionally, the method may include adjusting a pressure regulator via the computing system to dispense a gas (such as a non-reactive or dry gas) through a first channel connected to the reagent container, wherein the released gas allows the reactive reagent to enter a second channel connected to the reagent container. Furthermore, the method may include dispensing the identified amount of reactive reagent through the second channel; and, after the delivery of the identified amount of reactive reagent is complete, closing the pressure regulator via the computing system.

[0010] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. These features and advantages can be realized and obtained by means and combinations of tools and techniques particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more apparent from the description and the appended claims, or may be learned by practice of the examples set forth below. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To illustrate how the aforementioned and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more specific description of the subject matter briefly described above will be presented with reference to specific examples shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical examples and are therefore not intended to limit the scope; the examples will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system for dispensing customized coating reagents is shown, which is intended for use with a coating application apparatus according to this disclosure;

[0013] Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate the sequence diagrams, in which Figure 1 The dispenser dispenses the custom coating reagents used in coating application;

[0014] Figure 3 Showing Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the dispensers 2A to 2C, wherein the dispensers dispense ingredients for use by the paint applicator;

[0015] Figure 4 shows the relationship with Figures 1 to 3 An expanded diagram of an internal distribution system that combines a distribution machine with a distribution system;

[0016] Figure 5 A flowchart of a decision tree is shown, which is used to identify and deliver one or more applicable coating reagents.

[0017] Figure 6 Additional or alternative computer-implemented methods are demonstrated for determining and dispensing coating reagents in response to environmental variables and user preferences; and

[0018] Figure 7 An additional or alternative computer-implemented method for dispensing reactive reagents is demonstrated. Detailed Implementation

[0019] This disclosure provides systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products capable of delivering sensitive or reactive coating reagents on demand and in a variable manner while minimizing their damage. For example, this disclosure provides various components capable of delivering reagents from a reagent container while maintaining the original inert or non-reactive environment within the container, wherein the inert environment enables long-term preservation of the reagent. This can be accomplished in part by delivering the coating reagent under pressure using an inert gas, or by passive delivery using an atmospheric gas that has otherwise been passivated to remove reactive elements, such as water or other moisture. The components, systems, and methods described herein enable end users to obtain precise amounts of coating reagent dispensed into individual receiving containers while avoiding contamination of the reagent container (i.e., reagent storage container) with any remaining reagent.

[0020] In particular, as will be more fully understood from the following description and claims, this disclosure provides one or more solutions capable of meeting diverse coating agent preferences, being appropriately tailored to local application environments, and being adapted for a given end-user, without overwhelming inventory and other resource issues. This can be achieved, at least in part, through highly customized coating agents delivered substantially on demand and with a wide range of usable properties in the finished product.

[0021] In one example, a coating system (such as a varnish or other coating system) may include a variety of different types of resin / polymer reagents with favorable stability. For example, the resin reagent may contain one or more unique resins, along with ultraviolet absorber (UVA) and / or hindered amine light stabilizer (HAL) additives and solvents to achieve a viscosity of approximately 500 centipoise (cP). Several unique resins may include a variety of resins with different polymer properties, including resins differing in Mw, Tg, functionality, and reactivity. Dispensing devices (e.g., 110, Figure 1 It can select the most suitable resin / polymer reagent for a given situation and provide customized volumes / quantities of resin reagents and mixtures according to the needs of given operating conditions.

[0022] Additionally, this disclosure may include a variety of other reagents, such as crosslinking agent reagents in the case of coatings in the form of varnishes, provided via a dispensing machine (110) for use with polymer reagents. Crosslinking agent reagents may contain a unique type of crosslinking agent along with a solvent to achieve a viscosity of approximately 500 cP, or other desired application or finishing properties. Several unique crosslinking agents can be utilized to cover a wide range of crosslinking agent properties, including Mw, Tg, functionality, and reactivity. Dispensing machine / apparatus (e.g., 110, Figure 1Crosslinking agent reagents, along with any other additives, can be provided in various volumes and mixing ratios. The dispensing devices (e.g., 110) discussed more fully herein can accommodate physical containers of various types of crosslinking agent reagents and dispense the crosslinking agent in the required relevant amounts.

[0023] Furthermore, this disclosure provides a variety of catalyst reagents and their different types of uses. Each catalyst reagent may further include a solution comprising one or more catalysts, catalyst modifiers, inhibitors, and solvents. The concentration of the catalyst in the reagent may range from 1% to 100%. Still further, this disclosure provides a variety of reducing agent reagents and their various types. Each reducing agent reagent may also include one or more solvents having specific ranges of physical properties, such as relative evaporation rate and Hansen solubility parameter.

[0024] As previously mentioned, the dispensing device (e.g., 110, Figure 1 Various catalysts or reducing agents can be stored in various physical containers (or reagent containers), which may include sealed containers of various volumes. A dispenser can access these sealed containers to distribute a specific amount to a separate receiving container for the end user. That is, the dispensing device (e.g., 110), discussed more fully herein, can hold physical containers of catalysts or reducing agents and provide them in the required, relevant amounts. Dispenser 110 and the corresponding system 100 (including computing system 170) can manage each of these different reagents to eliminate guesswork or other errors through a system and process capable of providing the correct amount of the appropriate reagent. This ensures that the user always uses the correct product in the correct quantity, thereby maximizing productivity while minimizing waste.

[0025] First, in order to understand the purposes of various aspects of this disclosure, the article “a” or “an” should be understood herein to include “one or more”. That is, although this disclosure may be presented as “a” feature, “a” element, etc., one or more of these components or other listed components may be used according to the invention. Additionally, as used herein, the terms “executable module,” “executable component,” “component,” “module,” or “engine” may refer to a hardware processing unit or a software object, routine, or method that can be executed on computer system 100. The various components, modules, engines, and services described herein may be implemented as objects or processors that execute on computer system 100 (e.g., as separate threads).

[0026] Generally, "module" and "component" will be understood as abstractions of general processing components that can be used in at least one implementation of the invention, and may have more or fewer components than shown and described, and may be adapted to a particular server and cloud operating environment. As used herein, "module" means computer-executable code that, when executed by one or more processors at a given computer system (e.g., computer system 170), causes the given computer system to perform a particular function. In contrast, "component" means a set of passive instructions or data structures or records that can store, manage, and / or otherwise provide information processed by a given module. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the differences between different modules or components are at least partly arbitrary, and modules or components may be otherwise combined and divided and still remain within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the description of components as "modules" or "components" is provided only for clarity and explanation and should not be construed as indicating any particular structure requiring computer-executable code and / or computer hardware unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, the terms "component," "agent," "manager," "service," "engine," "virtual machine," etc., may also be used in this specification.

[0027] Now turn to the attached diagram. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of system 100 is shown, which is used to dispense coating agents, particularly unmixed (or mixed) multi-component agents, in specific amounts or otherwise delivered in response to a user request for use with a coating application apparatus according to this disclosure. For example, Figure 1 The system 100 is shown to include a dispenser (or dispensing device) 110 having a main body or frame 102, a user interface 120 (provided via a computing system 170), and a delivery section 130. Figure 1 It is also shown that the distributor 110 can communicate via network 105 through network component 104 (such as the wireless connection interface shown).

[0028] However, it should be understood that network component 104 may be additionally or alternatively configured for hardwired network communication with environmental monitoring device 113, which may accordingly include one or more sensors 107. In one example, one or more sensors 107 are located on or within dispenser 110, which may in turn be located at or sufficiently close to coating application area 160. Furthermore, it should be understood that the one or more sensors 107 shown may include multiple different sensors for monitoring the physical environment of coating application area 160, such as humidity sensors, temperature sensors, atmospheric pressure sensors, etc. Additionally, environmental monitoring device 113 may be configured as a stand-alone unit used in coating application area 160, or may be configured as an accessory to spray applicator 150, or otherwise included in one or more other computing elements used in coating application area 160. Further still, dispenser 110 may be located in a geographically independent location relative to coating application area 160.

[0029] In the coating application area 160, a spray applicator 150 (e.g., whether robotic or user-operated) can apply or mix a given set of coating agents to a given object, such as the vehicle 140 shown. It should be understood that the vehicle 140 shown is just one type of object that can be coated or painted in the coating application area 160. The coating applicator can, for example, spray other types of objects or parts thereof as needed, including vehicle body panels, original parts, replacement parts, etc. Other objects may include boats, bicycles, industrial, commercial or other residential equipment, doors, walls and their components or parts. Therefore, the terms object and vehicle will be understood to broadly encompass any physical object to be coated.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a computing system 170 that can be used in conjunction with system 100 is also shown. The computing system 170 may be a standalone computing system operated, for example, by a remote user, or it may be embodied within the distributor 110 itself, or it may include a set of various client and server systems communicating with one or more of the distributor 110 and / or coating applicator 150. Furthermore, the shown computing system 170 may include any number of software components and modules, as well as physical memory, physical storage devices, or even virtual or network-based versions thereof, as needed to implement the steps and mechanisms outlined herein. For example, Figure 1 The computing system 170 is shown to include a network interface component 163 that receives and transmits communications via a network 105.

[0031] Figure 1The computing system 170 is also shown to include a database 180 storing a set of various components, including various data and logic for managing the quantity and mixing ratio of components compared to environmental data, as well as various end-user preferences and object / vehicle data. For example, Figure 1 The database 180 is shown to include a mixing ratio component 185a, an environmental data component 185b, an inventory component 185c, a vehicle data component 185d, and a user preference component 185e. These are referenced below in the discussion relating to Figures 2A to 3. Figure 1 Components.

[0032] For example, Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate a sequence diagram of the dispensing machine 110 in operation. Specifically, Figure 2A shows that the dispensing machine 110 can provide a user interface 120 through which the end user inputs various preferences and other inputs regarding the object and / or the coating to be applied. As previously mentioned, the user can input this information directly in the user interface 120 presented by the dispensing machine 110, or this information can be provided via one or more separate, independent computing systems, such as mobile devices or desktop computer systems that work in conjunction with the dispensing machine 110. Therefore, the displays shown on the dispensing machine 110 are for illustrative purposes only.

[0033] Figure 2A further illustrates that, through the user interface 120, a user can select and provide data about the object to be coated, such as vehicle ID, vehicle identification information (VIN), brand / model / year of the object, etc. For example, a user can interact with the user interface 120 on the dispenser 110, or with the user interface 120 displayed via a mobile phone or desktop computer, and select the vehicle ID button (or other object identification information). The user can then enter object data, which can then display various color or clear coat options that the user can then select through the interface 120. Although... Figure 1 A separate sensor 107 is shown transmitting environmental data 115b, but the user can also manually input this information, allowing the dispenser 110 to receive environmental data from the end user, sensor 107, or some combination thereof. For example, the user can simply read sensor or other instrument data from device 113, and / or the user can collect other known environmental information about the coating application area 160 from public data and input it via the user interface. In other cases, the dispenser 110 may receive some environmental data directly from one or more sensors 107, while other environmental data is provided as input from the end user via user interface 120.

[0034] In any event, user preferences input through interface 120 may include, for example, various physical properties of the coating when applied, or preferences for finishing speed. These preferences can be input and processed by computing system 170 as one or more messages 115a, and stored in user preference component 185e of database 180. Through interpretation, Figure 1 For illustrative purposes only, one or more messages 115a providing user data are shown being transmitted from the distributor 110 to the computing system 170. However, it will be understood that this illustration is merely for the convenience of showing the interaction between the user and the computing system 170, which may or may not be included in the distributor 110 or may be provided by one or more other separate devices.

[0035] Regardless, finish preferences 115a can include desired physical properties in the finished product, such as texture or color or other visible effects in the case of a general coating, or smoothness, gloss, or shine in the case of a varnish. Users can provide other preferences sent with message 115a, such as preferences for certain curing or hardening speeds, application speeds, and / or preferences to avoid certain compounds among other available reagent options. For example, an end user might wish to have certain preferences for gloss or smoothness or application speed, but wish to avoid certain types of volatile compounds, or other reagent compounds to which the local environment might be more sensitive.

[0036] Figure 1 It is also shown that, in addition to the data provided by the user in one or more messages 115a, the computing system 170 can also process various environmental inputs via various messages 115b. These environmental inputs 115b can be input by the user or acquired from local environmental sensors 107, which can provide various localized data for the coating application area 160. As mentioned, one or more messages 115b may include data corresponding to humidity, temperature, pressure, or other local environmental variables of the coating application area 160. The computing system 170 can compare requests or other information downloads from messages 115a, 115b for desired results or completion, and then determine an appropriate set of coating agents optimized for data provided by the user or sensors, or otherwise indicated by data provided by the user or sensors. For example, the determination module 175 can determine that automotive and trim information input by the user in one or more messages 115a relates to a specific set of polymer agents in a specific volume, and crosslinking agents and / or catalytic agents in different volumes and mixing ratios. Each of these can take the form of one or more agents allocated to a user-specified volume (i.e., a customized volume).

[0037] For example, dispenser 110 can be configured for proactive inventory management and may therefore include several physical compartments (not shown) restricted by barcodes (or other machine-readable markings), meaning that a barcode (or other relevant machine-readable marking) scan may be required for a specific reagent compartment of a particular size to open the compartment door. Following these lines of thought, two physical locations for polymer reagents may exist within dispenser 110 (or otherwise accessible), such as a location / compartment for containers of up to 1 liter size, a location / compartment for 1-oz containers on multi-liter containers, and different locations / compartments for volumes in between. Similarly, slots of physical size may exist, restricting the insertion of specific containers of certain sizes or diameters into which they can be inserted. Dispenser 110 may then only unlock the associated compartment or slot for a container and a specific ingredient after confirming a barcode or other machine marking found on a given container (e.g., 133, 135). Therefore, although not shown, the dispenser 110 may include various machine code readers, such as barcode readers, QR code readers, infrared readers, or a computer system 170 that can be used to verify and / or process other forms of wireless or Bluetooth schemes. Machine readers and machine-readable tags enable fast and accurate inventory management.

[0038] However, it should be understood that such restrictions on inventory placement are not necessarily necessary. For example, the dispenser 110 may not have any kind of machine read requirement, but may instead have a user interface (or a generic physical lock and key mechanism) whereby the user only needs to enter or unlock to unlock a given storage compartment. Further still, the dispenser 110 may be configured for more passive management, meaning that the end user can disable such locking mechanisms, or the dispenser 110 may generally allow the user to add or remove containers at will, allowing the user to manage inventory primarily through the user interface 120. Therefore, the inventory component 185c of the database 180 may alternatively be configured for active and / or passive management. That is, active management involves a machine verification system for accessing storage compartments, while passive management avoids such requirements or otherwise places inventory management in the hands of user input or other forms of separate user management.

[0039] In any case, the dispenser 110 can be configured to store mixtures of different volumes and polymer reagents, as well as any additives, such as those mentioned above, in various preset volumes (e.g., a few ounces to a maximum of liters). For example, the polymer reagent storage compartment may include certain containers with various unique resins in separate physical size or volume compartments, along with the aforementioned UV absorber (UVA) / hindered amine light stabilizer (HAL) additives and solvents mixed in predetermined volumes with specific viscosities, in order to best manage inventory based on the shelf life of the polymer solution. The polymer compartment may include areas for storing a variety of resins with different polymer properties, including different storage devices for polymers that differ in Mw, Tg, functionality, and reactivity, or polymers to be mixed at other viscosities.

[0040] Additionally, dispenser 110 can be configured to store crosslinking agent reagents and mixtures thereof in different sizes in predetermined volumes, such as in the case of coatings in the form of varnishes. For example, dispenser 110 may contain various physical compartments (not shown) for storing crosslinking agent reagents with different crosslinking agents and solvents in various predetermined volumes (such as a few ounces to a few liters, if applicable). The crosslinking agent storage compartment may contain physical containers with a variety of different, unique crosslinking agents, which cover a wide range of crosslinking agent properties, including Mw, Tg, functionality, and reactivity. Then, the dispensing device (e.g., 110, Figure 1 The crosslinking agent can be removed and dispensed from a suitable physical container of appropriate volume after selection or specification by the computer system 170 (if suitable for the coating and final result characteristics selected by the user). Furthermore, the dispenser 110 can be specifically hermetically connected to the crosslinking agent reagent (or other sensitive reagent), allowing the dispenser to carefully remove the crosslinking agent from the container and dispense it without damaging any remaining portion within the storage container, and permitting future use of the remaining portion.

[0041] Furthermore, the dispenser 110 may include different physical compartments (not shown) for storing mixtures of different sizes and catalyst reagents, which may also be hermetically connected, as in the case of the crosslinking agent reagents described above. Specifically, the dispenser 110 may contain various physical compartments (not shown) for storing catalyst reagents with different modifiers, inhibitors, and solvents, and have various preset volumes (e.g., from a few ounces to a few liters, if applicable) in a given physical container. The concentration of the catalyst in the reagent can range from 1% to 100%, and can be stored in different physical locations so that it can be precisely retrieved and delivered by the dispenser 110 for a given mixture. Following a similar line of thought, the dispenser 110 may also store multiple reducing agent reagents in various preset volumes and in specially designated physical compartments, as similarly mentioned above. As previously stated, each diluent reagent may include one or more solvents with specific ranges of physical properties (such as relative evaporation rate and Hansen solubility parameter). The computing system 170 can optimize the specific delivery of different physical containers to best match user preferences and environmental information.

[0042] Following these ideas, Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate the sequence diagrams, wherein, according to this disclosure, Figure 1 The dispenser dispenses containers of physical reagents used in coating application. Specifically, Figure 2A shows the end user inputting various markings via user interface 120. As previously mentioned, user interface 120 may include instructions presented on a display provided by the dispenser 110, or alternatively, may include an interface presented on a separate computer system. Through user interface 120, the end user inputs information related to the object to be coated, such as the object or vehicle ID. This may be in the form of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the brand / model / year of a given vehicle, or other forms of information that enable the computing system 170 to identify the amount and / or type of coating material to be used. The user may also input other information indicating the amount of the object to be coated (if less than the entire vehicle). Through user interface 120, the user may also input various coating preferences, such as gloss, smoothness, shine, texture, application or curing speed, or the type of component reagents to be used or avoided (if applicable).

[0043] As previously targeted Figure 1As mentioned, the computer system 170 can acquire information input by a user via one or more messages 115a and compare the request with given environmental data 115b, thereby ensuring that the recommended reagent is optimized for the environment. In other cases, the computing system 170 may additionally or alternatively include public weather information indicating future data for temperature, pressure, and humidity, and consider such information together with current local data in the coating application area 160. Therefore, the computing system 170 can consider both immediate and final time ranges. This allows the computing system 170 to be used to prepare containers at remote locations, which can be delivered for use within a given time range in the coating application area 160. This arrangement can be particularly helpful for small workshops where storing excess inventory may be difficult.

[0044] Figure 2B illustrates that, as various inputs are examined and calculated by the computing system 170, the dispenser 110 provides corresponding groups of reagents into containers (such as the physical containers 133, 135 shown), such as via different nozzles 112a, 112b. For example, one nozzle may deliver a polymeric reagent, while another nozzle may deliver a different reagent that cannot be mixed before application, such as a sensitive or reactive coating reagent in the form of a hardener, crosslinking agent, or catalyst. In a further embodiment, the dispenser may be configured to deliver multiple different types of reagents through a single nozzle by operating one or more internal switches.

[0045] Regardless of the dispensing method, it will be understood that physical containers 133, 135 will contain customized dispensing volumes of reagents, such as customized volumes of polymers and customized volumes of crosslinking agents, or mixtures of polymers, crosslinking agents, and / or catalysts, or other relevant combinations (not shown) customized at appropriately configured dosage ratios based on user-input data (e.g., from Figure 2A). Further still, dispenser 110 can dispense multiple types of reagents in an unmixed state into different compartments of a single container (e.g., 137a to d). Figure 3 Because the distributor 110 can distribute the precise amount requested by the user, or optimize the input parameters, the distribution device helps to minimize waste.

[0046] The computing system 170 can also extract multiple volumes of reagent from various mixtures of different container sizes for larger jobs and distribute them, in whole or in part, to the user, if applicable. Thus, the two illustrative physical containers 133, 135 in Figure 2B are provided only as examples, and many more physical containers of different sizes may be provided (if applicable) to which the dispensing machine 110 will dispense reagents. Further still, the dispensing machine can provide mixing instructions via the user interface 120 or via printed objects provided in the dispensing location 130. For example, the computing system 170 can determine and provide specific formulation, mixing, and cleaning instructions for each reagent provided and / or for combinations of reagents added together. This can be shown on the user interface 120 or printed on a label attached to the cup into which the machine 110 dispenses the reagent.

[0047] Figure 2C further illustrates that the end user can then remove the dispensed reagent and supply it directly to the coating applicator 150. For example, the coating applicator 150 may include an electrophoretic coating apparatus, a coating atomizer, a spray gun, or other form of coating application device. Physical containers 133, 135, etc., can then be configured for direct application to the coating applicator 150. For example, physical containers 133, 135 may include specific physical connection interfaces (e.g., caps, or other interfaces within a removable upper cap) that physically and directly engage with corresponding physical interfaces of the coating applicator 150. Precise physical interconnections can be employed in a variety of different ways between the coating applicator 150 and the physical containers 133, 135. In one example, physical containers 133, 135 have caps of a specific shape that connect directly to a receiver in the coating applicator 150, causing reagent release.

[0048] This can be achieved through perforation of the membrane or bladder, or, for example, by the physical retraction of the sealing element caused by the insertion of containers 133, 135, thereby allowing the reagent to flow within. In yet another case, the user can manually release the caps of the physical containers 133, 135 and simply pour the specific reagent contents directly into the coating applicator 150. Similarly, the user can open and manually mix the containers according to the provided mixing instructions, and then provide the mixed material into the coating applicator 150. In still further cases, the physical container may include a conventional spray cup.

[0049] Figure 3Various alternative containers (e.g., 137a, 137b, 137c, 137d) that can be used in different forms to receive dispensed reagents are shown. By way of explanation, dispenser 110 can deliver reagents in ready-to-use mixture or ready-to-mix containers, or even in a single container. In other cases, dispenser 110 can deliver reagents into a single container or multiple containers or compartments (e.g., Figures 2A-2B). In still other cases, dispenser 110 can deliver reagents into multiple containers or all compartments within the same container. For example, Figure 3 Some exemplary alternative container forms 137a to 137b are shown, which, by way of example only, include circular or cylindrical forms 137a-b with internal compartment divisions, while containers 137c to 137d show square or rectangular containers with internal compartment divisions.

[0050] Therefore, although Figure 3 Container 137 illustrates a single container without additional compartments, but compartmentalization in alternative containers 137a to 137d (or containers within containers) can be used to separate reaction components or other types of reagents that may denature more rapidly upon mixing. In other cases, a given container (whether single-compartment or multi-compartment) may contain a sealable sac for one of the compartments, while the other compartments remain open to air. In still other cases, the container may include lids specifically shaped to preserve and seal the container or the compartments within containers 137a-137d. It should be understood that other shapes and compartment configurations may be used according to this disclosure.

[0051] In addition to the foregoing, the dispenser 110 itself may be specifically configured with different arrangements of administration nozzles to deliver different reagents simultaneously or sequentially as needed. For example, the dispenser 110 may be configured to simultaneously deliver polymer reagents and crosslinking reagents to two separate compartments of any of containers 137a to 137d. In particular, one set of one or more nozzles may be connected to a crosslinking agent or catalyst feed line, while another set of one or more nozzles may be connected to a polymer or other reagent feed line. The dispenser 110 may deliver both alternately to avoid mixing, or simultaneously through different nozzles to the appropriate compartments of a given container. The user can then seal container 137 (or 137a-d) with an airtight cap and subsequently mix the reagents when ready for application.

[0052] Figure 4 shows the relationship with Figures 1 to 3A diagram showing an unfolded internal dispensing system 106 used in conjunction with (e.g., within) the dispensing machine / machine 110. In particular, Figure 4 illustrates some of the various components that can be used to dispense the coating reagent, especially sensitive or reactive components, such as maintaining an inert or low-reactivity environment within the container of the sensitive or reactive reagent. For the purposes of this specification and claims, an inert or low-reactivity environment refers to any fluid or gas present in the reagent container 108 that is separate from the coating reagent stored in the reagent container and that inhibits or otherwise significantly minimizes the reagent's ability to react with the fluid or degrade in some way. Examples of an inert environment include the presence of a non-reactive gas, such as nitrogen or other gases of similar composition, or even ordinary atmospheric air. (Further non-reactive gases may be Group VIIIA gases, such as helium, neon, and / or argon.) Additional examples include fluids or gases that have passed through a "passivator" (118), such as a chamber comprising one or more desiccants, membranes, or dehydrators for removing water, moisture, or other reactive elements from the gas (such as in the case of ordinary atmospheric air).

[0053] Following these ideas, Figure 4 shows that the dispensing device / machine 110 may include a dispensing system 106 for dispensing coating reagents, which may be particularly helpful for dispensing sensitive or reactive coating reagents such as crosslinking agents (e.g., isocyanates) or catalysts. To aid in this purpose, Figure 4 shows that the dispensing system 106 includes a reagent container 108 which may be connected to respective first channels (114a) and second channels (114b), ultimately terminating at a delivery point, such as a nozzle 112, which may include nozzles 112a or 112b (generally referred to herein as 112). As understood more fully herein, this disclosure enables the dispensing system 106 to deliver sensitive or reactive coating reagents in precise quantities from the dispenser 108 at nozzles 112 (a / b) while maintaining an inert or substantially inert environment within the reagent container. That is, the remaining volume of container 108 (after reagent dispensing) can be filled with an inert or substantially non-reactive gas, including dry atmospheric air / air or other forms of fluid material for maintaining the environment. In other cases, container 108 may include a flexible capsule that, when system 106 dispenses reagents, only contracts the flexible capsule to prevent other fluids or gases from entering the container.

[0054] For example, Figure 4 shows that reagent container 108 may include a first channel 114a connected to pressure device 112 via pressure regulator 116. Pressure device 122 may include, for example, a gas canister that provides a positive outflow pressure of a gas such as air or an inert gas such as nitrogen. In other cases, pressure device 122 includes a negative pressure mechanism, such as a vacuum. In still other cases, pressure device 122 includes a combination of both positive and negative pressure mechanisms, which can be used to push and pull the gas, thereby maintaining any reagent within container 108 at a stable level. In still a further case, pressure device 112 provides a conduit for ordinary atmospheric air, which can be supplied to fill the container in response to the release of reagent through nozzle 112(a / b). Computational system 170 can manipulate pressure device 122 and / or pressure regulator 116 (or switch) to deliver reagent in response to received data / variables 115a, 115b, etc. and their corresponding user selections.

[0055] Figure 4 further illustrates that the first channel 114 may optionally include a gas passivator 118 or otherwise optionally be connected in series with such a gas passivator, which may be particularly useful in the case of evacuating atmospheric air. It will be understood that for some gases, such as nitrogen, which the system 106 can use to expel or extract reagents from container 108, a gas passivator 118 may not necessarily be required. For example, inert gases such as nitrogen or argon may not require filtration, cleaning, or other passivation, but should generally be considered “dry” (i.e., to avoid water contamination). In contrast, atmospheric air and other gases may require the removal of water / moisture and other reactive elements. Therefore, if the manufacturer or end-user chooses to operate using ordinary air, in some cases a gas passivator 118 module may be necessary to remove any or all reactive elements, such as water or other elements known to react with a particular reagent.

[0056] For example, reactive reagents such as isocyanate crosslinking agents may be particularly sensitive to water in ordinary atmospheric air, which could cause the crosslinking agent to rapidly degrade into an unusable form. Therefore, in one example, the gas passivator 118 may include one or more desiccant assemblies (and / or one or more membranes or dehydrators) to remove water / moisture or other contaminants in series with the first channel 114 before being introduced into the reagent container 108. Exemplary solid desiccants include silica gel, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, activated carbon, activated alumina, and various other substances known in the art. In other cases, manufacturers may use liquid desiccants, such as glycols or glycol derivatives, and / or lithium chloride or lithium bromide, etc.

[0057] Additionally, Figure 4 shows that the dispensing system 106 may include a second channel 114b connecting the reagent container 108 to the dispensing nozzle 112 (a / b). Figure 4 also shows that the second channel 114b may include a switch 192 communicatively connected in series with the second channel 114b. Figure 4 further shows that the switch 192 may be connected to the second channel 114b via a third channel 114c. In one example, the third channel 114c may be connected to another optional reagent, such as the solvent or other cleaning solution in the illustrated container 190. In at least one example, the container 190 contains a solvent, and the third channel 114c is configured to supply the solvent to the second channel 114b via the switch 192. For example, at the end of the dispensing sequence, the computer system 170 may adjust the switch 192 and push or withdraw (e.g., via pressure device 122) the solvent 190 from the third channel 114c into or out of the second channel 114b, and flush away any residual reagent from the second channel 114b through the nozzle 112 (a / b).

[0058] Therefore, in one method of operation, the calculation system 170 determines the amount of reactive reagent to be dispensed in response to received variables 115a, 115b. In response to user-provided dispensing confirmation (e.g., via user interface 120), the calculation system 170 may then activate a pressure device 122 connected to a pressure regulator 116, a switch 192, and nozzles 112(a / b). That is, the calculation system 170 may open / close a switch 192 or another mechanism in nozzles 112(a / b) sufficient to allow reagent to flow out through nozzle 112b. The calculation system may also adjust regulator 116 to allow a fluid element such as an inert gas or dry gas (e.g., atmospheric air) through a first channel 114, including allowing air to pass through an optional gas passivator 118 (if present). The inert gas or otherwise dried gas then flows through the first channel 114 to a reagent container 108 to contain any volume of reagent exiting nozzle 112. Therefore, the system can actively push or passively extract reagents from the container while providing a compensating amount of gas within the reagent container 108, thereby maintaining an inert environment within the reagent container 108.

[0059] Therefore, in one example, gas flows directly into reagent container 108 and pressurizes the reagent, filling the space adjacent to the reagent at one end and causing the reagent to flow into the second channel 114b at the other end. The computing system 170 can continuously maintain the pressure regulator 116 to ensure an appropriate amount of gas flows therein, thereby providing a corresponding amount of reagent (e.g., isocyanate) into the second channel. That is, the computing system 170 can moderate the positive or negative pressure from the pressure device 122 connected to the regulator 116 to extract an appropriate amount and flow rate of reagent through the second channel 114b, or use negative pressure (backflow of any gas) to slow its speed or pull it back. More specifically, at least one action involves pushing dry gas into reagent container 108 via the first channel 114, which establishes pressure at one end within reagent container 108 and causes the reagent to flow out from the opposite end into the second channel 114b. In another example, the computing system 170 simply turns on switch 192 to allow reagents in reagent container 108 to flow out, and further turns on switch 116 to receive atmospheric air through gas passivator 118 and into the reagent container.

[0060] The system can be further configured for precise dispensing of coating reagents. For example, reagent container 108 can be connected to a weighing scale or volumetric meter, which is further coupled to computing system 170. In this way, the weighing scale and volumetric meter can continuously signal changes in weight or volume to the computing system, enabling the computing system to adjust pressure regulator 116, switch 192, and / or pressure device 122 as needed to achieve precise reagent delivery. Therefore, this disclosure allows for both weight-based and volume-based delivery of coating reagents.

[0061] In yet another example, gas flowing through the first channel 114 activates one or more mechanical devices (not shown) to mechanically propel a reagent through the reagent container 108. For example, the reagent container 108 may include one or more flexible bladders (not shown) contained therein. Instead of connecting the lumen of the bladder to the first channel to fill the bladder with inert gas or dry air, the manufacturer may operatively connect a pressure-activated actuator, bladder actuator, or other form of pressure application device. The pressure-activated actuator (not shown) can then push or squeeze the flexible bladder at one end, thereby applying pressure to the container 108, and in particular any of the flexible bladders therein. In yet a further example, as previously described, the system may apply a negative pressure at the opposite end of the reagent container 108 to substantially aspirate the reagent into the second channel 114b in relation to any other positive pressure applied through the first channel 114a.

[0062] As previously described, the system can perform a cleaning step by activating pressure device 122 and switch 192 to allow solvent or other cleaning agents to flow from element 190 through third channel 114c and into second channel 114b and nozzle 112b. For example, the calculation system 170 can activate pressure device 122 (or a pump for drawing reagent from nozzles 112a / b) and switch 192 after each dispensing action or periodically as needed to properly flush away residual reagent from second channel 114b. However, similar to the passive delivery of coating reagents, the system can also be configured to passively draw solvent through the first and / or second channels (114a to 114b). That is, in some cases, solvent can be actively driven or passively drawn through the shown channels and / or reagent containers to enable reuse.

[0063] It will be understood that the dispenser 110 may contain further devices (not shown) that may contribute to the longevity / shelf life of reagents and their mixtures stored within the dispenser 110. For example, the dispenser 110 may house one or more agitators operatively connected to any of the one or more reagent containers 108 stored therein. The dispenser 110 may further include one or more stirrers operatively connected to any of the one or more reagent containers. The computing system 170 may be configured to periodically (e.g., several times a day, several times an hour, or in any desired manner) or even continuously send instructions to the stirrers, agitators, etc., to ensure that the reagents remain in an optimized, unstable, or continuously mixed form. Thus, the agitators and / or mixing units can ensure that the coating reagents dispensed at any given time are uniformly mixed and therefore immediately ready for application, or mixed and applied (if applicable).

[0064] Figure 5 An exemplary flowchart 200 is shown for distributing a decision tree for one or more applicable coating reagents used according to this disclosure. For example, Figure 5 The diagram shows that a decision tree can begin with action 205, where the user inputs object details. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown in 2A, end users can input various object details, such as vehicle identification number, brand, model, year, color, etc. Furthermore, the object is not limited to automobiles, but can represent other types of objects, including but not limited to aerospace vehicles, recreational vehicles (e.g., boats), or other consumer objects requiring coating (e.g., bicycles).

[0065] Figure 5 The next step, 210, further demonstrates that the user can input desired coating characteristics. For example, such as... Figure 1As shown in 2A, a user can input data through user interface 120 that indicates the preferred finish or other physical properties of the coating's final appearance and feel. For example, in a varnish environment, the end user can specify gloss, smoothness, texture, or other types of variables to achieve a specific look and feel. This may affect the type of crosslinking agents or other catalysts, inhibitors, solvents, reducing agents, etc., that may be needed in the mixture to obtain specific properties (e.g., viscosity) for a particular application, or to achieve the final final appearance.

[0066] Following these lines of thought, Figure 5 The next step in decision tree 200 may include action 215 of calculating the repair size. For example, calculation system 170 ( Figure 1 The system can acquire user input 115a, which may include options for using user technical parameters or computer-generated reagents. If the user selects their own reagent without optimization, the decision tree flows to actions 225 and 230, where the dispenser 110 identifies the requested reagent and dispenses it into a given container (e.g., 133, 135, 137a to d, Figures 2A to 3). That is, the dispenser can deliver various reagents, either mixed or unmixed, into one or more containers (or one or more compartments of a single container, e.g., 137a to d). If the user selects optimization, such as “optimized coating,” the computational system 170 can optimize the user input by incorporating user preferences and environmental variables.

[0067] For example, Figure 5 As shown, the computing system 170 can also consider local environmental variables in light of the selected optimization. As previously described, this can be achieved by the computing system 170 receiving and processing one or more messages 115b from one or more sensors 170 and / or similar data directly from the end user. One or more sensors 107 may be included or attached to the coating applicator 150, and / or may be located in one or more separate, independent devices, such as the environmental monitoring device 113 that may be shown. The computing system 170 can then coordinate with various rules / components in the database 180 to determine the optimal volume and type of reagent.

[0068] therefore, Figure 5The decision tree can further include action 235 to determine a specific group of reagents to be allocated. For example, for a job requiring 2.0 liters of polymer reagent and 0.5 liters of crosslinking agent and / or catalyst, the calculation system 170 can allocate them in specified amounts to relevant individual containers (or multiple containers / compartments within a container) and print or display the relevant mixing instructions. The calculation system 170 can adjust these requirements upward or downward based on current environmental variables and / or anticipated environmental variables based on other publicly available data regarding regional temperature, pressure, and humidity. For example, in an alternative environment, even if a mixture of polymer reagents can typically be specified under standard environmental conditions (e.g., ambient temperature, pressure, etc.), the calculation system 170 can determine that a substitution ratio of polymer reagents may be needed to complete a job associated with non-standard environmental conditions (e.g., higher temperature, pressure, or humidity). This may result in a substitution of a type of reagent, or even a reduction or increase in the originally intended amount of a given reagent within a volume or other mixing ratio parameters. It will also be recognized that the quantity or amount of reagent within a volume can be optimized based on a given inventory. For example, the calculation system 170 can determine the quantity or amount of reagent to be allocated based on the quantity of reagents stored in a given storage compartment. Alternatively, the computing system 170 can prepare a list of physical reagents of a given size based on anticipated future inventory, such as anticipated shipments of specific reagents.

[0069] Figure 5 Further illustrating, the decision tree can then move to steps 240 and 245, where the dispenser 110 dispenses the reagents determined by the computing system 170. The dispenser 110 (and / or the computer system 170) can then send one or more messages to the inventory component 185c of the database 180, indicating which reagents have been removed and / or the amount dispensed (action 245) and need to be restored (e.g., in decision 250). Thus, with each receipt and storage of reagents and each delivery, the dispenser 110 / computing system 170 automatically adds to and removes from the inventory. Specifically, when the inventory is nearing depletion, Figure 5 The decision tree then moves further to actions 250 and 255. In action 250, the calculation system 170 coordinates with the aforementioned inventory components 185c to determine the remaining storage in the distributor 110, which components are in excess or near depletion, and therefore which components need to be reordered. In action 255, the distribution system may automatically send a replenishment request to the warehouse system or display a warning to the user indicating the same situation. Figure 5 The decision tree is shown to be completed at this point, i.e., step 260.

[0070] This disclosure can also be described as a method that includes a series of actions for achieving a specific result. For example, Figure 6 A flowchart is provided for a method of dispensing coating reagents to an end user via a dispenser device. The following is... Figures 1 to 3 Discussed in the context of components, modules, and graphs. Figure 6 The action.

[0071] Figure 6 An additional or alternative method 300 for identifying and delivering one or more suitable coating agents is illustrated, which may include an action 310 of receiving a set of coating variables. Action 310 includes receiving a set of coating variables, which includes: (i) data-corresponding environmental input, corresponding to local environmental data at a location near the coating application area, and (ii) one or more application variables provided by an end user for applying the coating to the object. For example, the end user provides various details about the object to be coated, as well as variables related to the final appearance and look, via a user interface 120. The user interface 120 may be presented directly at the dispenser 110, or it may be presented via a mobile or other independent computing device acting as a computing system 170 on which relevant data is sent to the dispenser 110.

[0072] Figure 6 The method 300 is also shown to include action 320, which identifies the proportion of reagents to be used. Action 320 includes, based on received coating variables, identifying (i) a subset of reagents, which includes at least a polymeric reagent for applying a coating to an object, (ii) one or more additional reagents, and (iii) a dose ratio for each identified reagent in the subset. For example, a computing system 170 integrated with dispensing machine 110 may use user-provided variables 115a and may also use one or more environmental variables in message 115b to determine the amount of different types of reagents to complete the task. This determination includes the appropriate ratio (or dose ratio) of each reagent or the final mixture to be applied for each type of reagent determined.

[0073] in addition, Figure 6 The method 300 may include an action 330 of determining the volume of a reagent to be dispensed. Action 330 includes determining the volume of a subset of the reagent to be dispensed, wherein the volume depends on environmental data received from the paint application area and one or more application variables provided by an end user. For example, in addition to determining a ratio according to action 320, the computing system 170 may also determine various volumes of the reagent to be dispensed, which may be based on various object characteristics (size, brand, application type) or various desired physical properties of the applied coating.

[0074] also, Figure 6The method 300 may include an action 340 of dispensing the identified reagents. Action 340 includes dispensing a subset of each identified reagent in a determined volume via a dispenser device after receiving user confirmation. For example, Figures 2B and 2C show the dispenser delivering the determined reagents to physical containers 133, 135, or 137 (a to d), and may further provide associated mixing or other end-use instructions.

[0075] Such instructions may further include various MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) information required for proper compatibility with a given reagent. Such instructions may further include computer-oriented instructions executable by a separate computing device (such as a mobile device, tablet, watch, or personal computer) that provides various timing alerts regarding the expiration of a given reagent or mixture from the delivery point, or other variables based on application start / stop measurements received from the coating applicator 150. The computing system 170 may determine the sequence of reagent addition steps, when to add them, and in what quantity to add to the coating applicator 150. The computing system 170 may also determine and provide instructions relating to the usability of a given reagent when mixed with another reagent and / or when exposed to a reaction environment that begins to degrade the reagent. For example, the computing system 170 may provide instructions indicating that a mixture of polymer and crosslinking reagents has approximately two hours to be applied before it needs to be discarded due to degradation or other curing or solidification that prohibits wet application.

[0076] Another aspect of this disclosure includes one or more novel compositions that the dispenser 110 can provide. For example, a coating composition mixed or otherwise dispensed by the dispenser 110 may include a defined volume containing a variety of reagents. In one example, the dispensed multiple reagents may include one or more types of polymeric reagents used and their effective amounts. As used herein, "effective amount" means the amount or ratio of reagents, alone or in combination with one or more other defined reagents, that achieves the desired result in the final mixture when applied to an object. For example, the effective amount of polymer and / or the effective amount of crosslinking agent may vary depending on environmental variables and in conjunction with the user's preference for smoothness or gloss, as described herein.

[0077] For example, the volume to be allocated may further include the determined (e.g., via computer system 170 in response to environmental input and user preferences) one or more types of crosslinking agent reagents used and their effective amounts. As previously described, the volume and effective amount of each of the various reagents are determined by the calculation system 170 from coating-applied variables provided by the end user (message 115a) and environmental data in the form of temperature, pressure, and humidity data received from one or more environmental sensors (message 115b). In additional or alternative configurations, the composition may also include one or more types of catalyst reagents used and their effective amounts, as well as one or more types of reducing agent reagents used and their effectiveness. Again, these amounts can be determined by the calculation system 170 from a variety of options, or otherwise optimized from specific user input. For example, a user may require a specific brand or type of crosslinking agent or catalyst, which may allow the calculation system 170 to adjust the use or amount of the polymer reagent (or its type) or the amount / type of other additional reagents.

[0078] In a further example, one or more types of polymer reagents may also include a variety of additives, wherein the one or more types of polymer reagents and the variety of additives are mixed in a polymer reagent solution. For example, the polymer and reagent may be adjusted to determine whether the coating is a varnish, or whether the coating refers to a multilayer coating, a single coating, a topcoat, a base coat, a primer, or an adhesion promoter, or other form of coating. Thus, depending on the type and volume of the resulting coating mixture, the calculation system 170 may also determine the addition of one or more additives, including (i) ultraviolet absorbers and (ii) hindered amine light stabilizers. The coating composition may be further adjusted relative to the polymer reagent solution to achieve the desired viscosity to be dispensed.

[0079] As previously described, the coating composition may include a crosslinking agent, wherein the crosslinking agent comprises a solution containing an effective amount of the crosslinking agent and one or more solvents. The crosslinking agent solution is adjusted to achieve the desired viscosity for dispensing. Further along these lines, the composition may include a catalyst agent, which comprises a solution containing an effective amount of a catalyst and one or more solvents. The catalyst agent solution may include any or more of the following: (iii) a catalyst modifier; or (iv) a catalyst inhibitor; and the effective amount of each catalyst agent depends on environmental sensor data and user-defined coating application variables. Furthermore, the composition dispensed by machine 110 may include a reducing agent, which has a solution comprising multiple solvents, wherein the solvents have different evaporation rates. Thus, it will be understood that compositions can be mixed and dispensed in multiple ways using selected, relatively small amounts of reagents held in stock.

[0080] Figure 7A flowchart illustrates an additional or alternative computer-implemented method 400 for dispensing reactive coating reagents while maintaining a non-reactive environment in the container. Additionally, Figure 7 The method 400 may include an action 410 of receiving a set of coating variables. Action 410 includes receiving a set of coating variables via a computing system, the set of coating variables including: (i) data corresponding to local environmental data at a location near the coating application area, and (ii) one or more application variables supplied by the end user for applying the coating to the object. For example, as per [reference to...] Figure 1 As shown, the computing system 170 receives various messages 115a and 115b corresponding to coating information provided by the user about the object (140) to be coated, other preferences, and environmental data provided by the sensor related to the coating application area 160.

[0081] Figure 7 The method 400 is also shown to include an action 420 of identifying a reactive reagent to be dispensed. Action 420 includes identifying, via a calculation system, the reactive reagent to be dispensed based on received coating variables, the reactive reagent being stored in a non-reactive environment within the reagent container, and (ii) the amount of the reactive reagent to be dispensed. For example, the calculation system 170 determines, based on messages 115a, 115b, that a specific type of crosslinking agent or other catalyst needs to be provided as part of the final coating mixture to be applied.

[0082] in addition, Figure 7 Method 400 may include action 430 of adjusting a pressure regulator to dispense gas. Action 430 includes adjusting the pressure regulator via a computing system to dispense gas through a first channel connected to a reagent container, wherein the released gas allows a reactive reagent to enter a second channel connected to the reagent container. For example, Figure 4 shows computing system 170 interacting with dispensing system 106 to operate pressure regulator 116. In a further example, computing system 170 operates pressure device 122 and switch 192 to provide pressure through first channel 114a, such as by providing positive or negative gas outflow through first channel 114a.

[0083] also, Figure 7 The method 400 shown may include an action 440 of dispensing a reactive reagent. Action 440 includes dispensing an identified amount of reactive reagent through a second channel. For example, the calculation system 170 operates the pressure device 122, switch 192, and pressure regulator 116 to dispense a precise, on-demand amount of reactive reagent from the reagent container 108 through the second channel 114b and out through nozzles 112 (a / b). Following these ideas, Figures 2A to 3 also show a dispensing device / machine 110 for dispensing reagent into a container for final use via a sprayer 150.

[0084] Therefore, this disclosure provides numerous systems, components, compositions, and methods that offer many advantages over existing technologies. For example, when customers need to repair and paint their cars, they can be provided with appropriate ready-to-use or ready-to-mix products on demand. This allows coating applicators to focus on spraying paint or other coating formulations without the need for precise selection and mixing of them in precise proportions. This simplifies the end-user's workflow and solves some traditional difficulties. Because coating manufacturers providing the solutions outlined herein not only supply coatings but also services that benefit the end-user, they can expand the ways in which they connect with end-users. This connection can be facilitated by delivering ready-to-use products best suited to the end-user's needs on demand. That is, both large and small shops can order reagents on demand and apply them accurately and promptly as needed, without errors.

[0085] The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment in which this disclosure may be implemented. Although not required, this disclosure will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions (such as program modules) executed by a computer in a networked environment. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent instances of program code components for performing steps of the methods disclosed herein. A particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents instances of corresponding actions for implementing the functionality described in such steps.

[0086] Those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure can be practiced in networked computing environments with various types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, microcomputers, mainframes, etc. This disclosure can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where local and remote processing devices perform tasks and are linked via a communication network (via hardwired links, wireless links, or a combination of hardwired and wireless links). In a distributed computing environment, program modules can reside on both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0087] This disclosure may include or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer system that includes computer hardware, such as, for example, a processor and system memory, as discussed in more detail below. The scope of this disclosure also includes physical and other computer-readable media used to carry or store computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures is a computer storage medium. A computer-readable medium carrying computer-executable instructions and / or data structures is a transmission medium. Therefore, by way of example and not limitation, this disclosure may include two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: computer storage media and transmission media.

[0088] Computer storage media are physical storage media that store computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Physical storage media include computer hardware such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid-state drives (“SSDs”), flash memory, phase-change memory (“PCM”), optical disc storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other hardware storage device that can be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures that can be accessed and executed by general-purpose or special-purpose computer systems to achieve the functions disclosed in this invention.

[0089] The transmission medium may include a network and / or a data link that can carry program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and is accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A “network” is defined as a data link that enables the transmission of electronic data between computer systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. A computer system may consider a network or another communication connection (hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired and wireless) as a transmission medium when information is transferred or provided to it. Combinations of the foregoing should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0090] Furthermore, upon arrival at various computer system components, program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be automatically transferred from the transmission medium to the computer storage medium (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received via a network or data link can be cached in RAM within a network interface module and then ultimately transferred to the computer system RAM and / or the low-volatility computer storage medium at the computer system. Therefore, it should be understood that computer storage media can be included within computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize the transmission medium.

[0091] Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that, when executed at a processor, cause a general-purpose computer system, a special-purpose computer system, or a special-purpose processing device to perform a function or a set of functions. Computer-executable instructions can be, for example, binary, reagent-format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.

[0092] Those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure can be practiced in networked computing environments with various types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, microcomputers, mainframe computers, mobile phones, PDAs, tablet computers, pagers, routers, switches, etc. This disclosure can also be practiced in distributed system environments where tasks are performed on both local and remote computer systems linked by a network (via hardwired data links, wireless data links, or a combination of hardwired and wireless data links). Therefore, in a distributed system environment, a computer system may comprise multiple constituent computer systems. In a distributed system environment, program modules can be located in local and remote memory storage devices.

[0093] Those skilled in the art will also understand that this disclosure can be practiced in a cloud computing environment. A cloud computing environment can be distributed, but this is not required. When distributed, a cloud computing environment may be distributed internationally within an organization and / or have components owned across multiple organizations. In this specification and the appended claims, “cloud computing” is defined as a model for enabling on-demand networked access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources, such as networks, servers, storage devices, applications, and services. The definition of “cloud computing” is not limited to any of the many other advantages that can be obtained from such a model when properly deployed.

[0094] Cloud computing models can be composed of various characteristics, such as on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measurable services. Cloud computing models can also take the form of various service models, such as, for example, Software as a Service (“SaaS”), Platform as a Service (“PaaS”), and Infrastructure as a Service (“IaaS”). Cloud computing models can also be deployed using different models, such as private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud.

[0095] A cloud computing environment or platform may include a system comprising hosts capable of running virtual machines. During operation, the virtual machines emulate the operating computing system, thereby supporting operating systems and potentially other applications. Each host may contain a supermonitor, which uses physical resources as an abstraction from the virtual machine's perspective to simulate the virtual resources of the virtual machine. The hypervisor also provides appropriate separation between virtual machines. Thus, from the perspective of any given virtual machine, the hypervisor provides an illusion of the virtual machine interfacing with physical resources, even if the virtual machine intersects with the appearance of physical resources (e.g., virtual resources). Instances of physical resources include processing power, memory, disk space, network bandwidth, media drives, etc.

[0096] The aspects of this disclosure can be described according to various different configurations and alternative configurations. For example, in a first aspect, a dispensing system for dispensing a coating reagent stored in a receiving container while maintaining a non-reactive environment may include: a frame; a reagent container removably attached to the frame, the reagent container having a first end and a second end, the reagent container storing the coating reagent in a non-reactive environment; a first channel removably connected to the first end for supplying a non-reactive gas to the first end of the reagent container; a second channel removably connected to the second end for dispensing the coating reagent into the receiving container; and a pressure regulator communicatively attached at one end to the first channel and communicatively attached at the other end to a pressure device; wherein regulation of the pressure regulator alters the delivery of the coating reagent from the reagent container through the second channel while maintaining the non-reactive environment within the reagent container.

[0097] In a second aspect, in the dispensing system according to the first aspect, the pressure regulator includes a gas canister for delivering gas to the first channel via the pressure regulator. In a third aspect, in the dispensing system according to any one of the first to second aspects, the gas includes nitrogen. In a fourth aspect, the dispensing system according to any one of the first to third aspects may further include a gas passivator attached in series with the first channel. In a fifth aspect, in the system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the gas passivator includes one or more desiccants, membranes, or dehydrators for removing water or moisture from the gas. In a sixth aspect, in the dispensing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects: the gas supplied via the first channel device includes air; and the gas passivator dries the air before the gas enters the connection from the first channel to the reagent container. In a seventh aspect, in the system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the gas includes dry air. In an eighth aspect, in the system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the reagent container includes a rigid material. In a ninth aspect, in the system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the reagent container includes a flexible capsule.

[0098] In a tenth aspect, the system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects may further include: a capsule actuator coupled to the reagent container; wherein the capsule is configured to: apply pressure to the capsule upon actuation; and cause the capsule to deliver the reagent through the second channel. In an eleventh aspect, in the system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the reagent comprises a crosslinking agent or a catalyst reagent. In a twelfth aspect, in the system according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the reagent comprises an isocyanate. In a thirteenth aspect, the system according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects may further include: a solvent container connected to the reagent container; wherein activation of the pressure regulator or switch causes the solvent to be dispensed through the second channel. In a fourteenth aspect, the system according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects may further include: a third channel connected to the second channel via a switch, wherein: the solvent container is connected to the third channel; and activation of the switch causes the third channel to supply solvent to one end of the second channel to flush away residual reagent.

[0099] In addition to the foregoing, the fifteenth aspect of this disclosure includes a dispenser configured to dispense a coating reagent, the dispenser comprising: a processor; the dispenser system of claim 1; and a computer-readable storage medium including stored computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform: (i) data corresponding to local environmental data located near the coating application area, and (ii) application variables provided by one or more end users for applying a coating to an object; identifying, based on the received coating variables, a coating reagent in the form of a reactive reagent to be dispensed, the reactive reagent being stored in the non-reactive environment in the reagent container, and the amount of the reactive reagent to be dispensed; adjusting the pressure regulator to dispense gas through the first channel, wherein the released gas causes the reactive reagent to enter the second channel; and dispensing the identified amount of the reactive reagent through the second channel.

[0100] In a sixteenth aspect, the dispensing machine according to the fifteenth aspect may further include: a gas passivator attached in series with the first channel; wherein the gas passing through the gas passivator maintains the non-reactive environment upon entering the reagent container. In a seventeenth aspect, in the dispensing machine according to any one of the fifteenth to sixteenth aspects, the gas passivator includes one or more desiccants, membranes, and / or dehydrators for removing water or moisture from the gas. In an eighteenth aspect, the dispensing machine according to any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects may further include: a measuring component in the form of a weighing scale or a volumetric component, connected to or connected in series with the reagent container; wherein the dispensing machine is further configured to slow down or stop reagent dispensing in response to a signal received from the weighing scale or volumetric component.

[0101] In a further configuration, the nineteenth aspect of this disclosure may include a computer-implemented method for dispensing a reactive coating reagent while maintaining a non-reactive environment in a container containing the reactive coating reagent, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving via a computing system a set of coating variables, the set of coating variables including: (i) data corresponding to local environmental data located near the coating application area, and (ii) one or more application variables provided by an end user for applying the coating to an object; identifying, via the computing system, a reactive reagent to be dispensed, the reactive reagent stored in the non-reactive environment in the reagent container, and (ii) the amount of the reactive reagent to be dispensed, based on the received coating variables; adjusting a pressure regulator via the computing system to dispense gas through a first channel connected to the reagent container, wherein the released gas causes the reactive reagent to enter a second channel connected to the reagent container; and dispensing the identified amount of the reactive reagent through the second channel.

[0102] In a twentieth aspect, the computer-implemented method according to the nineteenth aspect may further include: shutting off the pressure regulator via the computing system after the delivery of an identification amount of the reactive reagent is completed. In a twenty-first aspect, the computer-implemented method according to any one of the nineteenth to twentyth aspects may further include: dispensing the polymer reagent. In a twenty-second aspect, in the computer-implemented method according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects, the reagent comprises a sensitive or reactive reagent in the form of a crosslinking agent or catalyst. In a twenty-third aspect, in the computer-implemented method according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-second aspects, the crosslinking agent comprises an isocyanate. In a twenty-fourth aspect, in the system, machine, or method according to any one of the first to twenty-third aspects, the non-reactive gas is a gas that does not react with respect to the reagent. In a twenty-fifth aspect, in the system, machine, or method according to any one of the first to twenty-fourth aspects, the reactive coating reagent is sensitive to the presence of water or hydrogen. In the twenty-sixth aspect, in the system, machine, or method according to any one of the first to twenty-fifth aspects, the non-reactive gas has a water content of less than 1.5%, particularly less than 1%, more particularly less than 0.5% before entering the reagent container, and most particularly the non-reactive gas is free of water before entering the reagent container.

[0103] This disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described examples should be considered in all respects as illustrative rather than restrictive. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are to be covered by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A dispensing system for dispensing a coating reagent stored in a receiving container while maintaining a non-reactive environment, the dispensing system comprising: frame; A reagent container removably attached to the frame, the reagent container having a first end and a second end, the reagent container storing the coated reagent in a non-reactive environment; A first channel removably connected to the first end, the first channel being used to supply a non-reactive gas to the first end of the reagent container; A second channel removably connected to the second end, the second channel being used to dispense the coating reagent into a receiving container; as well as A pressure regulator, which is communicatively attached at one end to the first channel and communicatively attached at the other end to a pressure device; The adjustment of the pressure regulator alters the delivery of the coated reagent from the reagent container through the second channel while maintaining the non-reactive environment within the reagent container.

2. The distribution system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure regulator includes a gas cylinder for delivering gas to the first channel via the pressure regulator.

3. The distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the gas comprises nitrogen.

4. The dispensing system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a gas passivator attached in series with the first channel.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the gas passivator comprises one or more desiccants, membranes, or dehydrators for removing water or moisture from the gas.

6. The distribution system according to claim 5, wherein: The gas supplied via the first channel device includes air; and The gas passivator dries the air before it enters the connection from the first channel to the reagent container.

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas comprises dry air.

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reagent container comprises a rigid material.

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reagent container comprises a flexible capsule.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising: A capsule actuator coupled to the reagent container; The sac is configured to: Pressure is applied to the sac during actuation; as well as The capsule is used to deliver the reagent through the second channel.

11. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reagent comprises a crosslinking agent or a catalyst reagent.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the reagent comprises isocyanate.

13. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: A solvent container connected to the reagent container; The activation of the pressure regulator or switch causes the solvent to be dispensed through the second channel.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising: The third channel is connected to the second channel via a switch. in: The solvent container is connected to the third channel; and Activation of the switch causes the third channel to supply solvent to one end of the second channel to rinse away residual reagents.

15. A dispenser configured to dispense a coating reagent, the dispenser comprising: processor; The distribution system according to claim 1; as well as A computer-readable storage medium comprising stored computer-executable instructions, which, when executed, cause the processor to perform the following: Receive a set of coating variables, the set of coating variables including: (i) data corresponding to local environmental data at a location near the coating application area, and (ii) one or more application variables supplied by the end user for applying the coating to the object; Based on the received coating variables, identify the coating reagent to be dispensed in the form of a reactive reagent, the reactive reagent stored in the non-reactive environment of the reagent container, and the amount of the reactive reagent to be dispensed; Adjusting the pressure regulator to dispense gas through the first channel, wherein the released gas allows the reactive reagent to enter the second channel; and The identification amount of the reactive reagent is dispensed through the second channel.

16. The dispenser of claim 15, further comprising: A gas passivator connected in series with the first channel; The gas passing through the gas passivator maintains the non-reactive environment when it enters the reagent container.

17. The dispenser according to any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein the gas passivator comprises one or more desiccants, membranes, and / or dehydrators for removing water or moisture from the gas.

18. The dispensing machine according to any one of claims 15 to 17, further comprising: A measuring component in the form of a weight scale or a volume component, the measuring component being connected to or connected in series with the reagent container; The dispenser is further configured to slow down or stop dispensing reagents in response to a signal received from the weight scale or volume component.

19. A computer-implemented method for dispensing a reactive coating reagent while maintaining a non-reactive environment in a container containing the reactive coating reagent, the computer-implemented method comprising: A set of coating variables is received via a computing system, the set of coating variables including: (i) data corresponding to local environmental data at a location near the coating application area, and (ii) one or more application variables supplied by the end user for applying the coating to the object; Based on the received coating variables, the reactive reagent to be dispensed is identified via the calculation system, the reactive reagent being stored in the non-reactive environment within the reagent container, and (ii) the amount of the reactive reagent to be dispensed; The pressure regulator is adjusted via the computing system to dispense gas through a first channel connected to the reagent container, wherein the released gas causes the reactive reagent to enter a second channel connected to the reagent container; and The identification amount of the reactive reagent is dispensed through the second channel.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, further comprising: After the delivery of the identified amount of reactive reagent is completed, the pressure regulator is shut off via the calculation system; as well as Dispensing polymer reagents; in: The reactive reagent includes a crosslinking agent or a catalyst; and The gas has a water content of less than 1.5% before entering the reagent container, and is water-free before entering the reagent container.

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