MXPA96006594A - Multicomponent supplier with autopressurization system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing chemical products, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a first master container having a predetermined internal volume and having at least one first product container with flexible walls for a product disposed therein. chemical to be dispensed, the containers being placed in such a way that a first vacuum space is formed that can be pressurized between the interior of the first master container and the exterior of the product container, and an inlet for directing a gas from a pressure source towards the first vacuum space that can be pressurized, a gas generating apparatus including a second master vessel having therein disposed an amount of a first liquid, which, when mixed with a second fluid substance, will react to generate a gas, a second empty space above the first liquid, a second container that has a second substance fluid disposed therein, and a third void space above the second fluid substance, the second fluid substance reactive with the first liquid, to create the gas, a supply system responding to pressure differences between second and third spaces empty, which includes a conduit for supplying the second fluid substance from the second container to the second master container, a means for initially pressurizing the second container, a dispensing pistol with valve that controls the flow of liquid and gas therethrough; and fluid-tight connections that allow the flow of liquid between the product container and the gun, and the gas flow between the second empty space and the gun, and between the second empty space and the gas inlet in the first maest vessel

Description

MULTICOMPONENT SUPPLIER WITH SELF-PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to dispensing systems for chemical reagents and, in particular, to the combination of a self-regulated pressure generator system. self-contained and to an apparatus for mixing and dispensing the individual reactive components. More particularly, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for supplying two liquid reagents contained separately and causing them to flow into a mixing nozzle, where a crosslinking reaction will be carried out, wherein a Blowing agent will cause the resins that comprise the material to start to form a chemical foam. In a further aspect, the present invention utilizes the same gas that is used to dispense one or more pressurized liquids to channel the foam that is being formed and propel it to the point of application. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for generating carbon dioxide, which serves the multiple purposes of causing a hydroxyl-rich liquid resin from a flexible wall vessel and an isocyanate material from a second container of flexible walls, flow to a dispensing gun, which has a removable mixing device and a dispensing nozzle at the same time, part of the generated gas is directed towards the same gun, serving to drive the materials that are being mixed to the point of application. In this connection, the mixture of the isocyanate or component "A" and the resin or component "B" normally carries out a thermosetting reaction which can also be performed to generate a gas for the purposes of "blowing" the components to form a foam. Such foam, when being mixed with a turbulent action within a mixing and assortment nozzle, can be directed towards the outlet of a tube from which the same gas used to drive the components into the mixing chamber is discharged under pressure. atmospheric As the mixture begins to foam, it collides with the gas stream. then the foam that is forming will be collected and impelled towards a surface to which it is going to be applied. In the past, successful systems have been produced to supply urethane foam. These include those described in U.S. Patent No. 3,784,110 and U.S. Patent No. 4,676,437, for example. In these systems, when the individual components are mixed, the heat of the reaction and the decrease of the pressure incident to the discharge causes foaming of an emulsified gas or vapor. normally a fluorocarbon such as a "Freon". The excessive pressure of the dissolved gas was sufficient to drive the mixed chemical compounds and push the formed foam to the point of application. Many thousands of portable units that use this principle were sold and such products were considered highly successful. However, the recent concern about the impact of blowing agents and fluorocarbon propellants on the earth's atmosphere has made it desirable to end the use of these propellants. It is believed that such propellants »when released into the atmosphere. Eventually they will find a way to high altitudes and are incidental to the destruction of the Earth's protective ozone layer. Accordingly, while the use of such propellants is now being excluded, substituents for some of these liquid fluorocarbons that do not have other serious drawbacks are not readily available. Thus, an advantage of fluorocarbon propellants was that they were capable of changing from a liquid form to steam at moderate pressures and temperatures. Hence they could be liquefied without using dangerously high pressures and could provide excellent expansion and propulsion potential. While the assortment and blowing of foam using fluorocarbons or chlorofluorocarbons have had significant advantages, most or all of the packaged systems that used such foams suffered from the drawback of lacking a regulated pressure. Thus, the dispersion velocity tended to become slower with time, as the effective vacuum pressure in the area containing the liquids was reduced as the gases were being used. Thus, a system with a self-regulating pressure arrangement would be advantageous to maintain a relatively constant assortment speed which could also be advantageous for mixing. However, other readily liquefiable potential vapors have their drawbacks and. as a consequence, it has not been practical to use them to supply foam and other related applications. Propellants of the type in question include butane and propane. for example, which are highly flammable and require special protection against fire and / or explosion hazards, particularly during loading and storage.

As a result of the above situation, there has been a need to mix and supply foam forming and other chemical compounds in a manner that is economical and practical as in the prior art, but without the drawbacks associated therewith. A very advantageous propellant, for example, is carbon dioxide. This gas can be prepared to serve as a blowing agent or with the expansion requirements of the foam forming compounds and have the function of the propellent. However, due to the nature of carbon dioxide, it requires extremely high pressures to be liquefied. Accordingly, although it is possible to use liquid or highly compressed carbon dioxide confined to high pressures for some assortment application, such as for supplying carbonated beverages, for example, this requires using high pressure vessels and accurate pressure regulation systems. Thus, while C0"is an excellent propellant, pressure tanks and regulators are too expensive to be discarded after use. Compressed gases are also subject to prohibitive transport and storage requirements. In this context. materials that are "dangerous" either due to flammability risk or high pressure, or both. they require special precautions for boarding, including special packaging and special labels. These products involve. concomitantly. high transport requirements and storage practices that are inconsistent with the economic cost of packaging. While it has been suggested that certain mixing compositions and props could be prepared at the site where they are to be used in an assortment operation, this is also inconsistent for the purpose of providing a convenient portable dispensing apparatus because it requires chemical mixing in wet by the applicator dß foam or other operators. One of the reasons for the success of low-cost packaged equipment capable of mixing and dispensing foam-forming chemicals is its simple nature and that they lack an accurate measurement requirement at or near the work site. Another problem with the gas generators, especially C02 is that the gas pressure must be regulated to be practical. Foam applications typically require up to 100 psi or even much higher, preferably in ranges of 40 to 80 or 50 to 70 psi. In view of the failure of the prior art to provide a self-contained mixing and assortment system for chemical reagents, particularly those for creating expanded cellular plastics such as urethane foams. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved gas generator and dispensing apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that includes chemical reagents that are isolated from one another for shipping, but which can be activated to start generating gas for the purpose of mixing and supplying chemical foams. Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified, low cost system for generating propellant gases, including carbon dioxide, in which the reagents used to create the propellant gas are kept separately until it is desired to initiate the mixing reaction. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a gas generating system that is inherently capable of regulating the pressure of the gas that is being generated for a significant period of time. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gas generating arrangement that essentially provides self-regulated pressure in a selected range.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inherently self-regulated pressure control arrangement, wherein the gas pressure is the result of mixing two or more reagents and wherein the system includes separate containers for each of the reagents and a of containers, passages and accessories or the like, by means of which a decrease in the pressure caused by the use of the gas, causes additional chemical compounds forming gas to mix, to once again increase the pressure of the system to a controlled level. A further object of the present invention is to provide a packaged dispenser system that includes a dispensing gun having a mixing nozzle and remover, including at least two liquid inlet passages and a separate gas passage for supplying the foam product. , where the system also includes sealed containers with gas generating components and an arrangement of passage tubes and seals that allows the reagents to be mixed when the user wants. A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination of dispensing gun and gas generating apparatus. wherein the complete package contains non-corrosive, relatively non-toxic chemical compounds, capable of being shipped at a minimum cost without being pressurized and which can be activated when required to provide a regulated assortment pressure. The objects and advantages and others of the present invention are achieved in practice by providing a combination of gas generating system and liquid jet with a self-regulating pressure arrangement. The present invention also achieves its objectives by providing a gas generating system and spout including a master vessel which, in turn. includes or more containers of fluid materials and that can be pressurized by a generated gas, a generator that has at least two containers with gas producing reagents separately, an arrangement of passages between the containers by means of which it can be achieved in practice a controlled mixture of gas generating materials and a dispensing gun with valves to control the flow of liquid and gas through it. The manner in which the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in practice will be more clearly evident when referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which is presented as an example and is illustrated with the accompanying drawings, in which the reference numbers indicate the corresponding parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable package containing the gas generating apparatus and dispensing product of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the main elements of the generator and dispenser apparatus of the present invention and the manner in which the packaged apparatus operates when used; and Figure 3 is an enlarged view, partially in elevation and partially in section, showing the elements of the gas generating apparatus and liquid spout in greater detail. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES OF THE INVENTION While the present invention can be practiced in a number of ways and its principles can be applied to supply a wide variety of materials, a detailed description will be given of only one application of the invention, - a know, the generator of C02 as the gas and the mixture and assortment of reactive d foam forming liquids from individual containers positioned inside a master vessel.

However, from this it will be noted that the concept of the present invention is adaptable to supply other products, using forms in some varied way from similar guns or dispensers, and it will be noted that the chemistry of the gas generating system and the arrangement Certain of its components may also change considerably and still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. As will be seen in relation to the description of the illustrated embodiment, the generator and dispenser of the invention is adapted to supply one or more reactive components under a high pressure, comparatively regulated, by means of a chemical reaction. More particularly, in the manner shown, the apparatus is adapted to form and supply urethane foams prepared from a pair of separately packaged reactive components. The carbon dioxide or "C02" is generated by the reaction of citric acid with potassium carbonate. The outer containers or master containers are made of semi-rigid plastic and the internal containers, either for liquids or gas. They include flexible walls. A chemical release is described and it can be made of rigid or flexible materials. Non-chemical triggers can also be used, as will be illustrated. The dispensing gun preferably, but not necessarily, includes a mixing nozzle removably secured to a valve body, to a handle, to a trigger and to connection points to connect with two liquid hoses and a gas hose. Nevertheless. The principles of the invention are not limited to supplying such foams nor limited solely to foams, but are mainly directed to the concept of providing a self-contained pressure source. largely self-regulated, for a gas that serves at least for the purpose of supplying the contents of certain containers. Desirably, it also acts as a propellant to spray or propel the contents from the gun to the point of application. The gun and the pressure system can also be used, just for example, to supply "empty" foams that are not literally sprayed by the air, but emerge from the gun as an expanding liquid stream. In the particular manner described, the reactive chemical components include a hydroxyl-rich resin and an isocyanate portion. respectively, which when combined, create a urethane foam. A finite amount of water is present in the resin for the reaction with the isocyanate, to generate the auxiliary amount of CO that is used in the "blowing" of the foam. This CO must be distinguished from the CO- produced by the generator to provide the assortment and propellant functions. Now, with reference to the drawings in greater detail, Figures 1 and 2 show a form of packing designated generally with the number 8 for a gas generator and spout combination apparatus, designated generally with the number 10. The package 8 includes a relatively rigid outer case designated generally with the number 12. having a handle 14 extending through an upper cover lid 16. According to the invention, the generating system and spout 8 of the invention can be stored and shipped in the box 12 and the components, except the chemical trigger and the dispensing gun, remain in place in the container during the entire period of use. With slight non-inventive design modifications, the trigger could remain in the box 12 during use. Now with reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that the box 12, when open, includes the closure lids 18 and 21. In addition to the top cover cap 16 and a splitter neck positioner combination is provided. container designated generally with the number 22. Again with reference to figure 2. the main components of this embodiment of the invention include a chemical trigger generally designated with ßl number 24. a master gas generating vessel designated generally with the number 25, and a product container master container designated generally with the number 26. The container covers, designated generally with the numbers 28 and 30. cover the containers and include various hoses and fittings including a composite hose, designated generally with the number 32. which arrives at a dispensing gun designated generally with the number 34. Now with reference to figure 3. it will be noted that the first master gas generator vessel 25 includes an external wall 37 and that its neck portion 38 is secured to the generally designated closure. with the number 28. Inside the gas generating vessel 25 there is disposed an interior liquid container designated generally with the number 42 and having the flexible side walls 43. This container 42 also includes a neck portion 44 secured to a portion of the closure 28 and kept isolated from the empty space or pressurizable area 46 that is between the walls. s flexible 43 of the inner container 42 and the walls 37 of the outer container 25.

According to the invention. the wall portions 37 of the outer container 25 define an interior area for receiving a load 50 of a weak acid solution. In the preferred form, they are 2 liters of an aqueous 50% citric acid solution. The inner bag 42 with the flexible side walls 43. preferably includes 1.5 liters of a liquid 54, in this case being an aqueous solution of 50% potassium carbonate. The potassium carbonate or saline occupies 25% or less of the total volume of the bag 42, the remainder being available for the empty space 68. Thus, the master container 25 is an acid container and the inner container 42 is a bag for a salt. An immersion tube 56 with a hollow center and an open lower end portion 58 is provided lying close to the bottom wall 60 of the inner container 42. The upper end 62 of the dip tube 56 is equipped with a breakable low pressure seal 64. in the form of an adhesive cover secured to an inner or outer margin 66 of the side wall 43 of the salt bag. The immersion tube 56, in this way, provides a communication path between the empty space 46 and the interior or empty space 68 of the inner bag 42, through the liquid 54.

With reference to the closure 28 for the containers 25 and 42, it will be noted that there are accessories 70. 72 for securing the supply and return hoses 74. 76 of the container 42 to the chemical trigger 24. The trigger 24 includes the end caps 78, 80 and a cylindrical body 82, defining an interior space 84 in which a predetermined volume of liquid triggering acid 86, typically citric acid, is found. The tube 76 operates as a ventilation tube and, accordingly. when the trigger is in the position shown in Figure 3. the upper end 88 of the tube 76 will be above the level of the liquid 86. while the upper end 90 of the supply tube 74 will be below the level of the liquid 86. this way, the trigger includes its own empty space 91 and a portion 86 intended for the liquid, like the other containers for liquid 25. 42. As shown. for safety purposes, the chemical trigger includes a ball valve and pressure release spring 40 in the top end cap 78. Now with reference to figure 2 it will be noted that the supply and return hoses 74, 76. can be crimped or bent to close them and that such hoses can be retained in this position by a clip, such as an obstruction 92. In other words, if the hoses are bent and the cylinder 92 is placed on them to keep them in a pressed relationship, ßl effect is that the liquid or gas flow dß is prevented through the hoses 74. 76. Now with reference to the product master vessel 26. this unit of preference is comprised of at least a portion of a semi-rigid side wall 94 and a top margin or collar 96 to which the closure fitting 30 is secured. In accordance with the present invention, a pressurized interior void space 100 is within of the container 26 and outside the space occupied by a first and second bags of liquid product, generally designated with the numbers 102. 104. respectively. The bag 102 has a margin 106 around an outlet tube 108 that extends through an adjustment fitting 110 and towards an exterior hose 112. This also exists in the other bag 104, which includes an outlet tube 114 that extends therein from the end of an adjustment fitting 116. positioned in the closure 30. The empty space 100 is pressurized by gas passing from the empty space 46 of the container 25 through the tube 128, of the accessory adjustment 120. of the transfer tube 122 and of the adjusting fitting 124. and the gas inlet tube 126. The pressure in the empty space 100 acts on the interiors 128, 130 of the bags 100, 102 and tends to collapse them. causing the products therein to flow through the tubes, as mentioned above, into the composite hose 32. The gun end 134 of the composite hose 32 terminates in the fittings 136. 138. each secured to the body d) the valve 140 of the gun designated generally with the number 34. In accordance with the present invention, the transfer tube 122 for the gas is also in communication through the line 142. with the composite hose 32. An end portion 144 of the gas tube 142 terminates in an adjustment fitting 146. which is also secured, in a gas containment relationship. to the body of the valve 140 of the gun 34. As shown, the gun includes a removable nozzle designated generally with the numeral 148 and held in place by a mechanism 150 which acts as a combined nozzle for closing and ejection. The gun 34 typically further includes a handle 152, a trigger 154 and a trigger lock 156. The operation of the gun is generally conventional and, except that the gas fitting is provided, it can operate in the same manner as the gun. gun described and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 4,676,437, for example. The exact shape of the dispensing gun is not a critical portion of the present invention, but preferably it is a gun with a shape such that it is advantageously used with the present invention. Preferably, the gas is not only used to pressurize the empty space of one or more master vessels to supply liquid components, but is also used as part of the propellant for the product to be supplied. In any case in which gas is used for this use. It has proven to be very advantageous, a two- or three-component pistol - one or two passages for liquid and one for gas. Now with reference to the preferred way of using the gas generating combination apparatus and product spout 10 of the present invention, it will be assumed that the product is packaged in the manner illustrated, except for the position of the chemical trigger. In this context, for shipping and storage purposes, preferably. the supply hoses 74, 76 are bent over and secured by the cylindrical clip 92. At this point, the trigger is preferably inverted with respect to its position in Figure 3, so that it remains in the portion of the container below. the division 22 and adjacent to the individual containers 25. 26. The chemical trigger 24 contains the citric acid solution as described above, but is isolated from the other contents because its supply is clogged. This solution does not exhibit a mediblß gas pressure and does not require particular shipping precautions. As noted, the respective interiors 46, 68 of the master and dß salt containers 25, 42. each contain a liquid. The liquid 54 is a salt such as potassium carbonate and the liquid acid 50 is a citric acid. only as an example. These products are isolated from one another by the walls of the bags and the fact that the seal 64 in the upper part 62 of the dip tube ensures that these two liquids do not mix. The lid 64 can be broken by pressure, but is secured against spills at any time while the vacuum space pressure is moderate. Accordingly, the two liquids described above will not mix and the pressure in all empty spaces will be substantially atmospheric. With reference to the other semirigid master vessel 26. this vessel simply accommodates individual non-pressurized but reactive components. which are kept separated from each other by the walls of their containers. The bags can be single-ply or multi-ply plastic bags, with or without a metallized finish. Anyway, the materials of the bag are selected to be substantially impervious to the products contained therein, so that the products can be kept separate and protected from moisture or any other contamination during storage and shipping. Similarly, the interior or empty space 100 of the container 26 is not subject to pressure during storage and shipping. Assuming now that it is desired to operate the apparatus, after it has been shipped in the manner described above, assuming the product is ready to be used, a disposable type nozzle 148 is inserted into the gun 34. The assembly of the chemical trigger 24 it is removed from the divider in the box and positioned in the manner described in figure 2. Once in place, the clamp 92 is removed and the chemical trigger 24 is lifted sufficiently to release the obstacle from the supply and return hoses 74. 76. Then. the gravity causes the acidic liquid 86 inside the chemical trigger 84 to begin to flow into the tube 74 into the empty space 68 of the container 42. The initial reaction quickly begins to generate carbon dioxide, which inflates the bag 42 and also passes through the return tube 76, to the empty space 84. The equalized vacuum pressures allow the remainder of the liquid 86 to rapidly empty into the interior of the inner bag 42. generating a pressure determined by the amount of chemical compounds and the size of the containers and their empty spaces. The chemical trigger contains only a small part of the total amount of acid available. As this pressure increases, and keeping in mind that the empty space 46 is not yet pressurized. the bag 42 continues to expand. forcing the liquid 54 upwardly in the immersion tube 56. towards the seal 64. When the differential pressure is sufficiently high, such as 4 to 6 psi, the seal 64 breaks and allows the liquid saline solution 54 to flow towards out through the opening of the dip tube, along the side walls of the bag and finally into the interior of the acid container 50. This reaction immediately begins to generate more C0-. ßl which generates a positive pressure in the empty space 46. Assuming that there is a significant differential pressure between the containers 25 and 42, a significant portion of the liquid saline solution 54 is immediately supplied to the acid 50 causing a proportional gas volume to be generated to the dosed amount of liquid 54 supplied at that time. At this point, and taking into account that the empty space 46 is in communication with the empty space 100. a reference or initial operating pressure has been established. which is important for the operation of the mechanism as a whole. Thus, the trigger caused the initial dosing and the dosed amount was determined by the initial pressurization of the inner bag 42. This pressure is dosed until it equals the pressure of the empty space of the two master vessels, where the dosage and the reference pressure is established. During the operation, it is assumed that the gun is not manipulated, so that all the conditions remain in a pre-established equilibrium. Assuming now that it is desired to operate the system, the trigger 154 is manipulated to deliver the products from the containers 128 and 130. The reference pressure in the empty space causes the contents of the containers 128. 130 to be emptied. Handling the gun also discharges CO- additional from one or both of the empty spaces 64. 100 towards the gas hose, initially decreasing system pressure.

Nevertheless, when the aforementioned use of the gas of the empty space 46 begins to decrease the pressure of the empty space 46. the pressure of the empty space 68. which is now comparatively greater. causes more liquid gas generator 54 to pass through the dip tube 56. This action is sometimes referred to as "dosing" the liquid 50 since an additional "dose" of the reactive saline solution 54 is added to the saline solution 50. Then, this condition causes a repetition of the original pressurizing action with a greater pressure in the space 46 which tends to cut off the additional flow of salt and a lower pressure in the empty space 46 which causes the additional dosing of the liquid with a concomitant increase in pressure. In this way, an action of self-regulation is achieved that tends toward equilibrium with respect to pressure. In successful applications, examples of operating pressures of 30 to 90 psi have been examined, ideally a pressure of 40 to 70 psi to supply some products. In this regard. The size of the hoses or tubes for the liquids and the gas is selected by those skilled in the art with respect to the expected pressures and the liquid and gas delivery rates.

The arrangement just described has proven to be highly advantageous. A compact gas generating system is provided which is sufficient to supply approximately 10 pounds of each of the reactive liquid ingredients. These materials, when applied to a substrate and allowed to freely reach a density increase of 1.1 to 3 pounds per cubic foot, for example, will produce 80 to 200 feet of foam finishing surface. The calculations and tests have indicated that. By using 11 pounds of isocyanate and 8 to 9 pounds of resin, these amounts of liquid can be mixed and filled by approximately 90 liters of gas, measured at atmospheric pressure or a little more. This corresponds to approximately 18 to 20 liters of gas at 70-80 psi. Taking into account that each atmosphere is equivalent to a little less than 15 psi, the gas at approximately 72-75 psi will expand up to 5 times that volume as the pressure drops to 1 atmosphere. As noted above, the advantages of the present invention are numerous. When supplying foams with disposable equipment. The materials they are made of can be very economical. The trigger can be made from components such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tube 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Plastic and / or rubber hoses of the type conventionally used in disposable urethane forming equipment can be used. and similarly a dßschchablß gun made of substantially d plastic can be used, suitably modified to utilize a gas supply as propellant. One such gun form is disclosed in the co-pending US patent application Serial No. 08 / 264,640, filed June 23, 1994. The advantages of using separately confined reactive products with little or no toxicity and. particularly, products that do not develop pressure during shipment and storage are numerous and include cost reduction and fewer concerns about the environment and high transport and / or storage costs. The foam products assorted using the apparatus of the present invention have proven to be completely the same as the prior art products assorted using environmentally objectionable materials such as Freon. which require containers that are completely metallic, expensive and resistant to pressure. The present invention advantageously utilizes an essentially self-regulating mechanism for pressure control, i.e., controlling the dosing and reaction with respect to differences between the internal and external pressures of the two interconnected flexible wall containers. This also provides relatively constant delivery speeds. As noted above, a number of different products can be mixed and dispensed advantageously using this system. The system is very advantageous in that the gas generated can serve the dual function of pressurizing the spout container and also serve as a propellant when it is supplied through hoses and accessories separately. In the forms of the apparatus shown. the master vessel 26 includes two interior liquid product bags. Of course, three or more bags can be placed in said master vessel, if this is desired for some reason. Two or more separate master containers can still be provided »each containing one or more individual bags separately for liquid or flowable products. Thus, the empty space in each of the two containers can be presurified by the gas generator and the respective products are assortments from each master container. However, it is usually desired to simply use a master vessel for two or more ingredients in separate bags.

Similarly, if two master vessels were used and provide an adequate arrangement of empty spaces and / or dip tubes, it would not be necessary to place bags in the individual master vessels, as long as the gas, such as C0-. It was not significantly soluble in the liquid to be assorted. Thus, sometimes the simple pressurization of an empty space above the liquid having a dip tube would be sufficient to achieve the purposes of the present invention. The selection of two master vessels instead of one is a decision that must be made based on economic rather than purely technical considerations. For the same reason, with respect to the master vessel 25. the saline bag is shown disposed within a master vessel containing the liquid citric acid solution. Other arrangements can be made to achieve the same effect, as long as there is sufficient intercommunication to achieve the dosing and regulation functions. The fact of disposing the saline bag inside the master vessel with the citric acid bag and having the trigger positioned externally to both, but in communication only with the inner bag, is currently a preferred form of the apparatus but is not the only arrangement which can utilize the trigger, dosing, gas generation and pressure regulation aspects of the present invention. It goes without saying that the chemical compounds that generate gas could have a different arrangement or could use other chemical compounds. In the above description, it has been assumed that a chemical trigger was described. However, it should be understood that, since the function of the trigger is only to establish a reference pressure in the dosing container. this could be achieved by other means. For example, a small d dC02 cartridge could be placed to provide the initial prssurization of the inner bag and carry out an initial dosing action. Similarly, a trigger could be made by simply using an air supply tube with a valve or similar implement, using an air source or other compressed gas inisially to initiate dosing and provide a predetermined pressure to the dosage bag. With reference again to this internal dosing bag 42. it is currently preferred, for a narrow pressure regulation, ie, less pressure regulation and to avoid significant pressure variations in this bag, that an empty space of at least 75 is provided. % of the volume of the container. In other words, if the inner bag 42 had an extremely small void space and was fired with a comparatively large dose of acid, a small void space would cause a very high rise in pressure, which could overdose the liquid in the master vessel. That is why. because moderate pressure is preferred, which decreases only slightly during the time of liquid dosing, a generous void space must be provided in the bag 42. Thus, it will be noted that the present invention provides a new combination system gas generator and supplier of the product having a number of advantages and characteristics that include those expressly stated herein and others that are inherent in the invention. Having described an illustrative example of the product of the invention, it is anticipated that those skilled in the art could devise variations to the manner described and that such modifications and changes could be within the spirit of the present invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for supplying chemical products, characterized in that it comprises, in combination, a first master container having a given interior volume and having disposed therein at least one first product container of flexible walls for a chemical to be assortment, said containers being arranged in such a way that a first pressurizable vacuum space is formed between the interior of the first master container and the exterior of the product container; and an inlet for directing a gas from a pressure source to said first pressurizable vacuum space; a gas generating apparatus including a second master vessel having therein disposed therein an amount of a first liquid, which when mixed with a second fluid substance, will react to generate a gas. a second void space above said first liquid, a second container having a second fluid substance disposed therein and a third void space above said second fluid substance, said second substance being fluid reactive with said first liquid to create said gas; a feeding system responding to pressure differences between the second and third empty spaces, including a conduit for supplying the second fluid substance from the second container to the second master container, elements for initially presuring the second container, a dispensing gun with valves that control the flow of liquid and gas through the same, and connections that allow the flow of liquid between the product container and the gun and that allow the flow of gas between the second master vessel and the gun and between the second master vessel and the gas inlet in the first master vessel.
2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1. characterized in that the second container is arranged within a part of the empty space within the second master vessel.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first liquid comprises a solution of citric acid and the second liquid substance comprises an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the element for initially pressurizing the second container comprises a chemical trigger, wherein said chemical trigger includes chemical compounds that react with the second liquid substance to create a gas.
5. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1. characterized in that the element for initially pressurizing the second container comprises a connection to a previously pressurized gas source.
6. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the feeding system includes a tube extending from the inside of the second container towards the interior of the second master container and wherein said tube includes a seal that is broken at low pressure. .
7. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the element for initially presuring the second container comprises a chemical trigger in the form of a sealed tube with a pressure release window therein, wherein said sealed tube includes a solution aqueous of a material that reacts with the second liquid substance to create a gas.
8. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1. characterized in that the first flexible-walled product container comprises a first and a second flexible-walled product containers.
9. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas generated is carbon dioxide.
10. 10. A mixing and dispensing apparatus for reactive liquid chemical products, characterized in that the apparatus includes a dispensing gun having a pair of inlets for liquids, a gas inlet, a mixing nozzle, a trigger trigger, valves operated by said trigger to allow reactive liquid products and gas to mix and be dispensed from said gun nozzle under the force of a propelling gas. wherein the apparatus includes a first master vessel having its interior volume divided into at least one first void space and a space accommodating at least two individual containers of reactive liquid chemicals, each of which has flexible walls and also having each an individual outlet, said first master vessel also includes a gas inlet to allow the first empty space to be supplied to supply the contents of said product containers, a gas generator comprising a second master vessel having its interior space occupied in Part by a first reactive liquid and having a second empty space above said first reactive liquid, the gas generator also includes a metering container. ßl which includes a third empty space and a dosed liquid, said dosed liquid and said first reactive liquid react to generate a gas »a conduit for directing the liquid coming from the dosing vessel towards ßl inside the second master vessel in response to a pressure difference said second and third empty spaces, a trigger comprising elements to supply an initial pressure to the dosing container and at least two liquid product hoses connected at their respective ends to the liquid inlets of the dispensing gun and to the individual outlets of said containers Each product also includes a gas supply connection between the first and second empty spaces of the master vessel and between one of the empty spaces of the master vessel and the gas inlet of the dispensing gun, by means of which when firing the dosing container increases the pressure of said third empty space and forces the dosed liquid into the second master vessel, where the liquid from that vessel generates a gas to supply the gun and to pressurize the empty space of said master vessel and subsequently the dosing vessel responds at a dosage of pressure in the second vacuum space by adding more liquid dosed to said first reactive liquid.
11. 11. A mixing and dispensing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the containers of reactive liquid chemical include the necessary components to produce a synthetic plastic foam.
12. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11. characterized in that the gas generated is carbon dioxide.
13. 13. An apparatus according to claim 11. characterized in that the trigger comprises a chemical trigger that has a supply of material that reacts with the liquid of said dosing container, to produce a gas to dose liquid to the second empty space to carry the system at its reference pressure.