System and method for automated finishing of interior surfaces

Abstract

An automated interior finishing system utilizes an apparatus having an upper section for mixing material, and a lower section for conveying the material. The upper section has a mixing compartment and a separate washing/storage compartment. Each compartment has a hinged lid that forms an air-tight seal. The mixing compartment has a shaft with an auger for mixing compound with water. The lower section has a motor for driving a progressive cavity pump, which receives mixed material from the mixing compartment. The pump delivers a smooth and uniform supply of material through an external supply hose. The apparatus is used as one component of an overall automated interior finishing system and method for completing surface finishes. For example, one end of the supply hose is connected to the outlet end of the pump for delivering mixed material to a hand tool at the opposite end, such as a flat taper.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for automated finishing of interior surfaces, comprising: 
 a compartment with a power mixer for mixing material therein;    a pumping system for pumping the material from the compartment to a pumping system output;    material delivery means for transporting the material from the pumping system output to a terminal end; and    application means for applying the material from the terminal end to a desired location.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an on-board water system for adding water to the compartment.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the material delivery means is a hose.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the material delivery means includes electrical means for delivering power to the application means.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising storage means for storing components within the compartment.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the storage means comprises a secondary compartment.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the application means is a drywalling device.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising tape dispensing means for automatically dispensing tape to the application means for application with the material.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pumping system comprises two pumping system outputs for simultaneously applying the material at two desired locations.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the application means has control means for remotely controlling operation of the pumping system from the terminal end.  
     
     
         11 . A system for automated finishing of interior surfaces, comprising: 
 a base unit having a moisture-proof, sealable compartment with a power mixer for automatically mixing material therein;    a water system on the base unit for adding water to the compartment;    storage means mounted to the base unit for storing components within the base unit;    a pumping system mounted to the base unit for automatically pumping mixed material from the compartment to a pumping system output;    a conduit extending from the base unit for transporting the mixed material from the pumping system output to a terminal end; and    application means for automatically and continuously applying the mixed material from the terminal end to a desired location.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the conduit includes electrical means for delivering power from the base unit to the application means.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the storage means comprises a secondary compartment located adjacent to said compartment for cleaning and storing components.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the application means is a drywall taping device.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising tape dispensing means for automatically dispensing tape to the application means for application with the mixed material.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the pumping system comprises two pumping system outputs for simultaneously applying the mixed material at two desired locations.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the application means has control means for remotely controlling operation of the pumping system from the terminal end.  
     
     
         18 . A method of automatically finishing interior surfaces, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a system having a power mixing compartment, a pump, and an applicator;    (b) automatically mixing material in the power mixing compartment;    (c) pumping mixed material from the compartment to a pumping system output;    (d) transporting the mixed material from the pumping system output to the applicator; and then    (e) applying the mixed material with the applicator to a desired location.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein step (b) comprises adding water to the power mixing compartment and mixing the water with the material.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein step (d) also comprises delivering power to the applicator.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of storing components within the compartment.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of cleaning components in a secondary compartment and then storing the components in the secondary compartment.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein step (e) comprises drywalling.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of automatically dispensing tape to the applicator for applying the tape with the mixed material.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18  wherein steps (d) and (e) comprises transporting the mixed material to two separate applicators, and then simultaneously applying the mixed material with the two applicators to two different locations.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of remotely controlling operation of the system from the applicator.