WO2011002774A1

WO2011002774A1 - Storage and dispensing apparatus for ultraviolet (uv) light curable composite material

Info

Publication number: WO2011002774A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/040396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey D. Percival; Mark Livesay
Original assignee: Percival Jeffrey D; Mark Livesay
Priority date: 2009-06-29
Filing date: 2010-06-29
Publication date: 2011-01-06

Abstract

A storage and dispensing apparatus for UV curable composite material includes a roll of flexible material contained in a dispensing container The roll of material is permeated with a UV light curable substance The dispensing container is contained in an opaque storage container which can be selectively opened to remove the dispensing container for use, and then closed once the dispensing container is returned to the storage container Portions of the material can be removed from the dispensing container for use, with the remaining roll of the material being shielded from UV light in the dispensing container After each use, the dispensing container can be returned to the storage container and the storage container closed until the next use.

Description

STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR ULTRAVIOLET (UV) LIGHT

CURABLE COMPOSITE MATERIAL

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of the priority filing date of provisional application Serial No. 61/269,838, filed June 29, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention pertains to a storage and dispensing apparatus for UV curable composite material. The apparatus includes a roll of flexible material contained in a dispensing container. The roll of material is permeated with a UV light curable substance. The dispensing container is contained in an opaque storage container which can be selectively opened to remove the dispensing container for use, and then closed once the dispensing container is returned to the storage container. Portions of the material can be removed from the dispensing container for use, with the remaining roll of the material being shielded from UV light in the dispensing container. After each use, the dispensing container can be returned to the storage container and the storage container closed until the next use.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Fiberglass composite fabrication typically involves applying a layer of resin to a surface of a mold and then pressing a patch or a strip of fiberglass twill material onto the layer of resin to infuse the resin into the material patch. With chemically cured resins, the mold is then subjected to heat to cause the resin to cure and to complete the fiberglass composite fabrication process. [0003] When using light curable resins, the mold is subjected to ultraviolet (UV) light to cause the resin to cure and complete the fiberglass composite fabrication.

[0004] Fiberglass composite fabrication is a messy and costly process. Chemically cured resins must first be mixed with a curing agent in precise proportions. The mixed resin is then typically manually applied to the mold. The fiberglass patch or strip is then also often manually pressed to the resin on the mold, the tackiness of the resin often results in a good portion of the resin ending up on the hands of the person performing the fabrication.

[0005] In light cured resins, a photoinitiator is mixed with the resin. The resin is then applied to the mold and the fiberglass patch or strip is then pressed to the resin on the mold. These steps are also often performed manually, resulting in much of the resin ending up on the hands of the fabricator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The disadvantage of fiberglass composite fabrication are overcome by the apparatus of the invention. The storage and dispensing apparatus for ultraviolet (UV) curable composite material is comprised of a cylindrical dispensing container having a hollow interior and a narrow slit in a side wall of a container. The

dispensing container is opaque, shielding the interior of the dispensing container from ultraviolet (UV) light.

[0007] A strip of flexible material having an elongate length and permeated with a light curable substance is contained in the dispensing container. The strip is rolled up in the dispensing container and a free end of the strip extends through the slit in the side wall of the container. By pulling the free end of the strip from the dispensing container, the strip is unrolled inside the container and is dispensed from the container. When the portion of the strip removed from the dispensing container is exposed to UV light, the light cures the substance permeating the portion of the strip.

[0008] The dispensing container is contained in a cylindrical storage container. The storage container has a removable closure. The storage container and closure are both opaque. The closure is selectively removable from the storage container to provide access to the dispensing container for use, and is reattachable to the storage container following use of the composite material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0009] Further features of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and in the drawing figures.

[0010] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the component parts of the apparatus of the invention.

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention. Portions of the apparatus are shown in dashed lines and cut away in Figure 2 to better illustrate the relationship of the component parts of the invention.

[0012] Figure 3 is an enlarged partial view of the circled portion of Figure 2 showing details of a wedge seal of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] The apparatus of the invention provides for the storage and quick dispensing of UV curable composite material as needed, that is simple and inexpensive in construction. [0014] The curable material storage and dispensing apparatus 10 of the present invention is basically comprised of a dispensing container 12, a spool 14 having a strip of a flexible material 16 rolled up on the spool 14, and a storage container 18. These four basic component parts of the invention provide a simple and inexpensive apparatus for the storage of UV curable composite material and the easy dispensing of the material as needed.

[0015] The dispensing container 12 is preferably constructed of an opaque semirigid material such as a plastic. A cylindrical side wall 22 of the dispensing container 12 surrounds a hollow interior volume 24 of the container. The side wall has a center axis and an axial length. A pair of first 26 and second 28 circular end walls close over the opposite ends of the cylindrical side wall 22. The end walls 26, 28 together with the side wall 22 completely enclose the interior volume 24 of the dispensing container.

[0016] A narrow straight slit 32 extends through the side wall 22 of the dispensing container. The slit 32 provides the only path of communication between the dispensing container interior volume 24 and the exterior of the dispensing container. The slit 32 has a pair of opposite sides or edges 34, 36 that extend the length of the slit. As shown in the enlarged detail of Figure 2, one of the slit edges 36 is defined by a wedge seal.

[0017] The wedge seal 36 is flexible and has a resilient tip 38. The tip 38 projects outwardly over the side wall slit 32 and extends along the entire length of the slit 32.

[0018] The spool 14 is contained inside the dispensing container interior volume 24. The spool 14 is also constructed of a semi-rigid material, for example a plastic. The spool has a cylindrical exterior surface 42 and a center axis that is generally parallel with the dispensing container center axis. The axial length of the spool 14 is slightly less than the axial length of the dispensing container interior volume 24. This allows the spool 14 to rotate freely inside the dispensing container 12.

[0019] The strip 16 of flexible material is primarily contained inside the dispensing container 12. The strip in the preferred embodiment is a fiberglass twill material having an elongate length with opposite first 46 and second 48 ends. Other materials such as carbon fiber cloth and Kevlar® type synthetic fiber cloth could be used. Other weaves such as a plain weave or a satin weave could be used. The strip 16 is rolled up inside the dispensing container 12 from the strip first end 46 positioned on the spool exterior surface 42. The strip second end 48 that is positioned outside the dispensing container 12. As seen in the drawing figures, a small portion 52 of the strip length extends from the rolled-up strip 16 inside the dispensing container 12, through the slit 32 to the strip second end 48 located outside the dispensing container. The width dimension of the strip 16 rolled up inside the dispensing container 12 is substantially the same as the axial dimension of the spool 14. The circumference of the rolled-up strip 16 is slightly smaller than the circumference of the dispensing container side wall 22 interior surfaces. The rolled- up strip 16 on the spool 14 rotates freely inside the dispensing container 12. This allows the strip 16 to be easily unrolled and dispensed from the dispensing container 12 by pulling the portion of the strip 52 extending through the slit 32 from the dispensing container 12. [0020] The wedge seal lip 38 engages against one side of the strip portion 52 that extends through the slit 32. The resilience of the wedge seal tip 38 presses the opposite side of the strip portion 52 against the opposing edge 34 of the slit. This engagement shields the rolled-up portion of the strip 16 inside the dispensing container 12 from exposure to light outside the dispensing container.

[0021] The strip is permeated with any known curable substance which cures on exposure to a curing agent. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the strip 16 is permeated with an ultraviolet (UV) light curable resin that cures on exposure to UV light. To produce the UV curable composite material of the strip which cures on exposure to UV light as the curing agent, polyester resins and photoinitiators are mixed in predetermined proportions for optimal performance, and the mixture permeates the glass twill material of the strip 16. The opaque material of the dispensing container 12 prevents the composite material strip 16 contained in the dispensing container from curing. Only on removing a portion of the strip 16 from the dispensing container 12 and then exposing the removed portion to UV light does the composite material of the strip 16 cure.

[0022] The storage container 18 is a cylindrical container dimensioned to receive and store the dispensing container 12. Opaque, semi-rigid materials such as plastic are also employed in the construction of the storage container 18. The storage container has a cylindrical side wall 62 that is dimensioned to extend completely around the dispensing container side wall 22. The axial length of the storage container side wall 62 is slightly larger than that of the dispensing container side wall 22. One end of the storage container side wall 62 is closed over by a circular end wall 64. The opposite end of the storage container side wall 62 is left open and defines the storage container opening 66. The opening 66 provides access to the interior volume of the storage container 18 and to the dispensing container 12 contained in the interior volume.

[0023] A closure 68 is provided for closing over the opening 66 of the storage container 18. The closure is provided by a separate circular cap 68 that can be snap fit over the storage container opening and onto the storage container side wall 62.

The snap fit enables the cap 68 to be selectively removed from the storage container side wall 62, exposing the storage container opening 66, and then replaced on the storage container side wall 62 covering over the storage container opening 66. The cap 68 is also preferably constructed of an opaque semi-rigid material, for example a plastic.

[0024] Other embodiments of the storage container, for example a box having an opening and closing end flap, could be employed instead of the storage container 18 described.

[0025] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained.

[0026] As various modifications could be made in the apparatus herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above- described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

What is Claimed Is:

1. A curable material storage and dispensing apparatus comprising: a dispensing container having a hollow interior and a slit in the dispensing container communicating the hollow interior volume with an exterior of the dispensing container;

a strip of flexible material having an elongate length and opposite first and second ends, the length of the strip being permeated with a curable substance which cures on exposure to a curing agent, the length of the permeated strip being contained inside the dispensing container interior volume with a portion of the strip extending through the slit in the dispensing container to the second end of strip outside the dispensing container; and,

a closure closing over the dispensing container slit and the strip second end, the closure shielding the portion of the strip extending from the slit to the strip second end, the closure being removable from the slit and the strip second end enabling pulling the strip from the dispensing container interior volume through the slit by pulling the strip second end.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

the substance permeating the strip being a light curable resin.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

the substance permeating the strip being an ultraviolet light curable resin.

4. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

the curing agent being light.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

the curing agent being ultraviolet light.

6. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

the slit having opposite sides that engage with the strip in a manner that prevents the substance permeating the strip inside the dispensing container from exiting the dispensing container through the slit without the strip being pulled through the slit.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

the slit having opposite sides that engage with the strip in a manner that prevents light from passing through the slit to the interior volume of the dispensing container.

8. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

the strip being rolled up around the first end of the strip inside the dispensing container.

9. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

a rotatable spool inside the dispensing container interior volume; and, the strip being rolled up around the spool.

10. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:

a storage container providing the closure over the dispensing container slit and the strip second end, the storage container having an interior containing the dispensing container and a selectively openable and closable lid providing access to the storage container interior.

11. The apparatus of Claim 10, further comprising:

the dispensing container and the storage container being cylindrical containers constructed of semi-rigid materials and the lid being a circular cap that is removable and attachable to the storage container.

12. A curable material storage and dispensing apparatus comprising:

a strip of flexible woven material having an elongate length and opposite first and second ends, the length of the strip being permeated with a light curable substance, the length of the permeated strip being rolled up into a cylindrical configuration around the first end of the strip;

a dispensing container having an interior volume containing the rolled- up strip, the dispensing container having at least one side wall that extends around the rolled-up cylindrical configuration of the strip and a pair of end walls that together with the side wall enclose the rolled-up strip in the interior volume of the dispensing container, the dispensing container having a slit through the side wall and a portion of the strip length extends through the slit to the strip second end positioned outside the dispensing container whereby the strip can be unrolled in the dispensing container and removed from the interior of the dispensing container through the slit by pulling the portion of the strip length extending through the slit from the

dispensing container; and,

a storage container having an interior volume containing the dispensing container and having a closure that is movable between a closed position where the closure encloses the dispensing container in the storage container interior volume and an opened positioned where the closure provides access to the storage container interior volume for removal of the dispensing container from the storage container interior volume.

13. The apparatus of Claim 12, further comprising:

the light curable substance being a light curable resin.

14. The apparatus of Claim 12, further comprising:

15. The apparatus of Claim 12, further comprising:

16. The apparatus of Claim 12, further comprising:

17. The apparatus of Claim 12, further comprising:

18. A curable material storage and dispensing apparatus comprising: a rotatable spool;

a strip of flexible woven material having an elongate length with opposite first and second ends, the length of the strip being permeated with a resin which cures on exposure of the resin to light, the strip from the strip first end being rolled up on the spool;

a dispensing container having a cylindrical side wall and first and second circular end walls enclosing an interior volume of the dispensing container, the spool and the strip rolled up on the spool being contained in the dispensing container interior volume for free rotation of the spool and the strip rolled up on the spool, the dispensing container having a slit through the side wall that provides the only communication between the dispensing container interior volume and an exterior of the dispensing container, and a portion of the strip extends from the strip rolled up on the spool in the dispensing container interior volume through the slit to the second end of the strip positioned exterior to the dispensing container whereby the strip can be unrolled from the spool in the dispensing container interior volume and pulled from the dispensing container interior volume through the slit by pulling the strip second end from the dispensing container; and,

a storage container having an interior volume containing the dispensing container and having a closure that is movable between a closed position where the closure encloses the dispensing container in the storage container interior volume and shields the dispensing container from light, and an opened position where the closure provides access to the storage container interior volume for removal of the dispensing container from the storage container interior volume.

19. The apparatus of Claim 18, further comprising:

20. The apparatus of Claim 18, further comprising:

21. The apparatus of Claim 18, further comprising:

the dispensing container and the storage container being cylindrical containers constructed of semi-rigid materials and the lid being a circular cap that is removable from and attachable to the storage container.