Heat Reactive Composition and Applicator Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus and method are set forth. The heat reactive composition is applicable to the surface of an existing substrate to permanently scorch the existing substrate at places where contact with the composition of matter is effected. The exothermic reaction of the composition of matter constrains the reaction to portions of the substrate that are in immediate contact with the composition only. Intricate patterns and designs are thereby permanently transferrable onto or into the surface of the existing substrate by action of heat with a controlled and deliberate intent.

Claims

1. A heat-reactive composition of matter comprising seven parts water (H.sub.2O) to one part ammonium Chloride (NH.sub.4CL), said composition of matter having a temperature of activation at least 350 F. to initiate combustion, wherein said composition of matter is applicable to an existing substrate to burn designs onto or into the existing substrate when the composition of matter is exposed to a heat source, said designs thereby scorched onto or into the existing substrate in a manner entirely conformant and congruent with the points of contact of the composition of matter as introduced upon the existing substrate.

2. The composition of matter of claim 1 further comprising a dye at 0.5% to 2% by volume.

3. A heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus comprising: a reservoir portion; a composition of matter disposed interior to the reservoir portion, said composition of matter consisting of seven parts water (H.sub.2O) and one part ammonium chloride (NH.sub.4CL); an applicator tip disposed in fluid communication with the reservoir portion; a nib member disposed upon the applicator tip; and a valve member disposed in operational communication with the nib member, said valve member movable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the composition of matter is applicable to an existing substrate whereby controlled combustion of the composition of matter upon the existing substrate effects burning onto or into the substrate that is entirely conformant and congruent with the application of the composition of matter upon the existing substrate whereby complex and intricate patterns and designs are permanently scorched upon or into the existing substrate.

4. The heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a mixing agitator disposed interior to the reservoir portion, said mixing agitator disposed to enable mechanical mixing of the composition of matter when accelerated by an external force.

5. The heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a dye mixed with the composition of matter interior to the reservoir portion at a concentration of approximately 0.5 to 2% by volume wherein the composition of matter is rendered visible when applied to the surface of the existing substrate.

6. The heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a spring member disposed interior to the applicator tip, said spring member biased against the action of the valve member wherein pressure to orient the valve member to the open position compresses the spring member and release of said pressure enables rebound of the spring member whereby the valve member is restored to the closed position.

7. The heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus of claim 6 wherein the reservoir portion is elongate and the apparatus is shaped like a pen and manually wieldable whereby hand-drawn patterns and designs are applicable to the existing substrate.

8. A method for applying a permanent image to an existing substrate, said method comprising the steps of: applying a heat-reactive composition of matter consisting of seven parts water (H.sub.2O) and one part ammonium chloride (NH.sub.4CL) to a surface of the existing substrate; subjecting the applied composition of matter to a controlled heat source of at least 350 F. whereby the heat-reactive composition of matter reacts exothermically to scorch the existing substrate in positions conformant and congruent with the positions of contact with the composition of matter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures

[0017] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an example embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a detail view of an example embodiment of a nib member and applicator tip.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram view illustrating the steps comprising the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, an example embodiment of the instant heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus, employing the principles and concepts of the present heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus and generally designated by the reference number 10, will be described.

[0021] The example embodiment herein illustrated is particularly devised for manual use, whereby a user may inscribe designs, lettering, or other pictorial and graphical elements to a substrate for marking. However, it is understood that additional embodiments employing the present method are contemplated as within the range of ordinary skill in the art. Thus embodiments wherein the applicator tip is controlled by an automated or computerized apparatus, for example, are not intended to be restricted by the drawings herein presented, the inventive step of the instant invention more conveniently set forth thereby.

[0022] The present heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus 10, therefore, has been devised to enable application of a heat reactive composition of matter 20 to a substrate 70 whereby hand-drawn, lettered, or other designs or pictorial elements as may by applicable to said substrate, whether manually or automatically, are subsequently permanently scorched into the substrate 70 via application of heat whereby the composition of matter 20 reacts and burns the substrate 70 in immediate contact therewith. Thus a user may draw, write, or cause to be applied, the composition of matter 20 as an outline of some image, lettering, brand, or other pictorial or graphical element, as case may be, whereby application of heat transfers the image permanently onto the substrate 70.

[0023] The present heat reactive composition and applicator apparatus 10, therefore, includes a heat reactive composition of matter 20 and an applicator apparatus 22. The heat reactive composition of matter 20 is contemplated to be mixture of ammonium chloride 50 and water 52 and, in some embodiments, an admixture of a coloring agent 54 added to enable visualization of the composition of matter 20 upon the substrate 70 to which it is applied. The composition of matter 20 may include a ratio of seven parts water to one part ammonium chloride (7:1), or a ratio approximate thereto, sufficient to enable reaction of the composition of matter 20 when heat, in the range of approximately 350 F., or more, is applied thereto. In the example embodiment contemplated herein, the coloring agent 54 is contemplated to be an admixture of approximately 0.5% to 2% by volume of colored dye, whereby a user is enabled to see each line traced by the applicator apparatus 22 upon the substrate 70 and thereby determine the scope of the image applied. In the example embodiment herein contemplated the dye is colored red.

[0024] An example embodiment of the proposed composition of matter 20, as produced for use in a handheld apparatus 22 for manual, hand-drawn application to a substrate 70, is set forth in Table 1 below. An example embodiment of the proposed composition of matter 20 as produced in larger applications is set forth in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Handheld Applicator Amount by Amount by Amount by Weight Volume Volume Substance (oz) (tbsp.) (ml) NH.sub.4CL 0.5 1 14.7 H.sub.2O 3.5 7 102.9 Dye 0.0338 0.067 1.11

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Larger Applications (9 volume) Amount by Amount by Amount by Weight Volume Volume Substance (oz) (tbsp.) (ml) NH.sub.4CL 4.5 9 132.3 H.sub.2O 31.5 63 926.1 Dye 0.3042 0.603 10

[0025] The applicator apparatus 22 is devised to store the composition of matter 20 and enable controlled application of the composition of matter 20 to a substrate 70. In the example embodiment herein contemplated, the applicator device 22 includes a nib member 24, an applicator tip 26, a valve member 28, and an elongate reservoir portion 30. The applicator apparatus 22 may be devised to resemble a pen or other marker. A lid or cap 42 may be included to encase the applicator tip 26 when not in use.

[0026] The elongate reservoir portion 30 is devised to house and store the composition of matter 20. The elongate reservoir portion 30 is operatively coupled to the nib member 24 wherein the valve member 28 is contained in operational communication with the applicator tip 26. The applicator tip 26 is porous to the composition of matter 20 whereby distribution of the composition of matter 20 through the valve member 28 is directable and controllable by means of the applicator tip 26. Application of the composition of matter 20 is thereby regulated through the applicator tip 26 whereby a consistent and even flow of the composition of matter 20 is controllable for application upon a desired substrate 70.

[0027] The valve member 28 enables regulated control of the composition of matter 20 therethough, for application to the substrate 70 via the applicator tip 26. The valve member 20 is movable between a closed position and an opened position. When the valve member 28 is disposed in the closed position, the composition of matter 20 is prevented from flowing through the valve member 28 and remains stored interior to the elongate reservoir portion 30. When the valve member 28 is moved to the opened position, the composition of matter 20 is enabled flow through the valve member 28 for application to the substrate 70 at the applicator tip 26.

[0028] The valve member 28 may be controllable by action of pressure applied at the applicator tip 28 to enable flow of the composition of matter 20 through the valve member 28 for application to the substrate at the applicator tip 28. The valve member 28 may be biased against the action of a spring member 32, whereby pressure to orient the valve member 28 to the opened position compresses the spring member 32. Release of said pressure, therefore, enables rebound of the spring member 32 to return the valve member 28 to the closed position.

[0029] Thus a user may, for example, press the applicator tip 26 against a substrate 70 to effect opening of the valve member 28 whereby the composition of matter is caused to flow through the applicator tip 26 and onto the substrate 70 against which the applicator tip 26 is pressed. The composition of matter 20 stored within the elongate reservoir portion 30 may be stored under pressure. Alternately the composition of matter 20 may be caused to flow through the valve member 28, when said valve member 28 is disposed in the opened position, by action of gravity. In alternate embodiments the valve member 28 may be controlled by an electromechanical connection, such as, for example, a solenoid or other electromechanical switch.

[0030] A mixing agitator 34 is included to enable mechanical agitation and mixing of the composition of matter 20 whereby a user may shake the elongate reservoir portion 30 to effect mechanical mixing of the composition of matter 20 and thereby enable throughflow of a properly mixed composition for application to the substrate 70 when the valve member 28 is subsequently moved to the opened position.

[0031] The coloring agent 40 enables a user to see what has been inscribed upon the substrate 70 previous to reaction with heat, and thus render a design, image, or graphic, or other pictorial or outlined element, to the substrate 70. The user subsequently applies heat to effect reaction of the composition of matter 20 whereby the image drawn is scorched into the substrate 70 and permanently depicted thereon. In the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, the substrate 70 is contemplated to be wood, woody, or another ligneous substrate. However additional substrates upon which the reaction is enabled to occur are also contemplated. In the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, the temperature of activation to initiate the reaction of the composition of matter is 350 F. or higher, as may be applied by action of a heat gun, an oven, an open flame, a directed heat, for example.

[0032] A method of applying an image to a substrate is also contemplated as part of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of applying the composition of matter to a substrate to outline a desired image. Application of the composition of matter may be rendered manually or by automation (such as in use with a machine devised to hold or wield the applicator apparatus, or at least the applicator tip disposed in operational communication with a controllable source of the composition of matter, as case may be).

[0033] Once the composition of matter has been applied to the substrate to articulate the desired image, the substrate (or at least the portion of the substrate whereon the composition of matter has been applied) is thereafter subjected to a controlled source of heat at or above 350 F. whereby the composition of matter reacts and burns the image into or onto the substrate. Where the composition of matter is applicable by automated means, such as a machine operatively coupled to a software or driver, the coloring agent 40 may be excluded from the composition of matter.