Method of dispensing a material
View Patent ↗A method and system for dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus is provided. The material initially comprises or is manipulated to comprise a low viscosity. The material either can comprise a curable material or can comprise initiators, which can be activated to raise the viscosity at a later time and position. The low viscosity material is moved through the delivery apparatus for a relatively long distance using low energy. Upon nearing an end use application, the material and/or initiators can be activated by a curing agent, such as a light or heat source, such that the viscosity of the material be raised prior to the end use application thereof. Therefore, the present invention provides a method and system for moving a material normally having a higher viscosity a long distance requiring lower energy and pressure.
1. A method of dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus having a starting end and a distal end, comprising:
pumping a material capable of changing viscosities through the delivery apparatus;
at least partially changing the viscosity of the material via a UV-light source while pumping the material; and
dispensing the material comprising the at least partially changed viscosity at the distal end of the delivery apparatus;
wherein the material capable of changing viscosities flows unimpeded through the UV-light source.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the material comprises a UV-curable material.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the UV-light source comprises a light tunnel including a plurality of light initiators.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the viscosity of the material is changed at the distal end of the delivery apparatus.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of at least partially changing the viscosity of the material comprises raising the viscosity.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising curing the dispensed material.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising removing the delivery apparatus after dispensing the material.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of at least partially changing the viscosity of the material comprises at least partially curing the material while pumping.
9. A method of moving a liquid material through an apparatus to an end use application, comprising:
providing a material having a first viscosity;
moving the material through the apparatus and towards the end use application; and
changing the viscosity of the material to a viscosity higher than the first viscosity via a curing agent while continuing to move the material towards the end use application;
wherein the changing of viscosity occurs as the material having a first viscosity passes through the curing agent in an unimpeded manner; and
dispensing the material comprising the higher viscosity at a distal end of the apparatus.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising dispensing the material at the end use application.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the end use application comprises a closed end of the apparatus.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the curing agent is external of the apparatus to at least partially cure the material to change the viscosity.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the curing agent is UV-light.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein the material further comprises a heat-curable initiator.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the curing agent is heat.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein the end use application is pipe repair.
17. A system for moving a material to an end use application, comprising:
a delivery apparatus comprising a first end and a second end;
a material capable of changing viscosities capable of being pumped through the delivery apparatus and towards the end use application; and
a curing agent adjacent the delivery apparatus to at least partially raise the viscosity of the material prior to dispensing of the material from the second end of the delivery apparatus;
wherein the material capable of changing viscosities flows unimpeded as the material flows past the curing agent.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the curing agent is a UV-light that raises the viscosity of the material by at least partially curing the material.
19. The system of claim 17 wherein the end use application is a pipe in need of repair.
20. A system for moving a material to an end use application, comprising:
a delivery apparatus comprising a first end and a second end;
a material capable of changing viscosities capable of being pumped through the delivery apparatus and towards the end use application;
a curing agent adjacent the delivery apparatus to at least partially raise the viscosity of the material;
wherein the curing agent is a UV-light that raises the viscosity of the material by at least partially curing the material;
wherein the material capable of changing viscosities flows unimpeded as the material passes the UV-light; and
the delivery apparatus is a hose, and the UV-light comprises a tunnel at least partially surrounding the hose.