Third stream automotive color injection

Abstract

A method and system are provided for injecting a color component into a plural component coating dispensing system. Base, cure and color components are pumped from respective containers at metered volume. The color component, which is preferably a low-viscosity automotive paint is injected into the either the base or cure stream at a point immediately prior to mixing all components in a dispensing device for dispensing the resulting colored fluid mixture onto a surface to be coated. The mixture may be dispensed by pouring or spraying onto the surface. The method and system are particularly useful for mixing and dispensing colored polyurethane or polyurea coatings, such as for spray-on truck bed liners.

1 . A system for dispensing a polymerizing composition, the system comprising:
 a. a first tank comprising a first reactive component;   b. a second tank comprising a second reactive component;   c. a dispensing device in fluid communication with the first tank and second tank for mixing the components and for dispensing the mixture from the dispensing device onto a surface to be coated;   
     wherein at least one of the first tank and the second tank comprises a desiccant cartridge mounted within the tank to reduce humidity in the tank. 
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant cartridge is positioned on an interior surface of a lid on the tank. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the desiccant cartridge is positioned proximate to one or more air inlets defined in the tank lid. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the desiccant cartridge substantially covers the one or more air inlets. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant cartridge comprises silica crystals. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a color component stored in a paint pot, the dispensing device injecting the color component into either the first reactive component or the second reactive component prior to mixing the components, to produce a colored mixture that is then dispensed onto a surface to be coated. 
   
   
       7 . A system for dispensing a polymerizing composition, the system comprising:
 a. a first tank comprising a first reactive component;   b. a second tank comprising a second reactive component;   c. a dispensing device in fluid communication by a plurality of fluid lines with the first tank and second tank for mixing the components to produce a mixture and for dispensing the mixture from the dispensing device onto a surface to be coated;   
     wherein at least one of the first tank and the second tank comprises a filter mounted within the tank to prevent solid particles from entering the lines. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the filter comprises a filter plate. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the filter is removeable. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the filter is serviceable. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the filter is mounted proximate to an exit port in the bottom of the tank. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first tank and the second tank further comprises a desiccant cartridge mounted within the tank to reduce humidity in the tank. 
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the desiccant cartridge is positioned on an interior surface of a lid on the tank. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the system further comprises a color component stored in a paint pot, the dispensing device injecting the color component into either the first reactive component or the second reactive component prior to mixing the components, to produce a colored mixture that is then dispensed onto a surface to be coated.