System and process for delivering building materials

A system and process for mixing and distributing building materials. This system and process can also include a way or a means for calibrating the mixing of these materials. This system and process can also include a system for tracking the materials that flow through the system, and for controlling the type of material used in the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a system and process for delivering building materials. This type of device is capable of performing a continuous process of feeding materials to a building site in both a batch and continuous flow process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a process for continuously feeding building materials to a building site.

This process comprises feeding a first type of material through a feeding system and then feeling a second type of material through the feeding system. This process also includes mixing said first type of material with a second type of material into a composite material. For example, the first type of material can be sand, while the second type of material can be a binder, such that the first and second types of material when mixed together form a building material such as cement or concrete.

This process can also include mixing a third type of material with the composite material.

This third type of material can be a liquid material such as water, a water chemical mixture or any other type of third material. A next step can include pumping the mixed material to a building site. This process further comprises the step of moving a test batch of at least one type of material through the feeding system to calibrate the feeding rate. Thus, for example, a test batch of sand or of binder can be first fed into the system. Alternatively, or in addition, this process can also comprise the step of calibrating the feeding system by moving a test batch of at least a second type material through the feeding system.

Once this first batch of material is fed through the system, the material which is not yet mixed into a composite can be recycled and re-introduced into the system. For example, this process can also include the step of re-feeding the previously fed test batch of material back into the feeding system. This process can also include the step of feeding the second type of test batch material back into the feeding system.

In at least one embodiment, the step of calibrating the feeding system comprises determining a first weight for a material to be mixed, moving the material through the feeding system, tracking the time for feeding the material through the system and then determining a second weight for the material to be mixed.

At least one embodiment of the invention can relate to a system for delivering building materials comprising a container, and a transport device coupled to the container, wherein the transport device is configured to be coupled to a vehicle. In this case, the transport device can in this or in any embodiment be a flat bed for a truck. In addition, the container can be in the form of a standard sized container for a standard sized truck such as an eighteen wheel truck.

Inside of the container there can be a first holding bin substantially disposed in the container. In addition, there can be a second holding bin substantially disposed in the container. There can be at least one feed tube coupled to the first holding bin. This feed tube can include a drive system to feed the material through the feed tube. The drive system be in the form of any known drive system, but in this case can be in the form of a screw drive system. There can be at least one other feed tube coupled to the second holding bin, and this other feed tube can also comprise a drive system. This type of drive system can be of any known drive system, such as in the form of a screw drive system. There can be at least one pre-mixer configured to receive materials from at least one of the feed tubes coupled to the first and second holding bins.

There can also be at least one continuous mixer, configured to receive an output of the pre-mixer and configured to hold the components from the pre-mixer.

In at least one embodiment, the transport device comprises a flat bed with a connection element configured to connect to the vehicle and wherein this vehicle comprises a motor vehicle.

This embodiment or other embodiments can also include a pre-mixer which further comprises mixing elements.

These said mixing elements of this pre-mixer can comprise paddles.

This continuous mixer is configured to receive a liquid with a mixed material from said pre-mixer.

This said continuous mixer further comprises mixing elements. These mixing elements of this continuous mixer can comprise paddles and/or screws.

This system can also include at least one scale configured to weigh at least one of the first holding bin and the second holding bin. This at least one scale is configured to material in the holding bin.

There can be at least one computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to read information from the at least one scale and determine an amount of material fed from at least one of the first holding bin and the second holding bin.

The system can also comprise an air pump, and a particulate holding bin. This air pump is coupled to at least one of the first holding bin and the second holding bin, and is configured to pump particulate away from at least one of the first holding bin and the second holding bin.

In addition, in at least one embodiment, there can be an additional water cooling system which can be in the form of an external water cooling system or an internal water cooling system.

In addition, in at least one embodiment there can be a system for tracking the usage of building materials as those building materials flow through the system. This system can include a log of all of the building materials that are entered into the system. One way to enter this information is through a scanner which scans a bar code tag or RFID tag of the system in order to record whether the material being used in the system is an authorized form of material. In this case, the logging of material can either be through the use of a barcode scanner, a nearfield scanner, a RFID scanner, a prepaid set of codes, or any other way to grant access to the use of the machine. The scanning or the codes can then provide temporary access to the machine to allow the machine to operate. The machine is then monitored through the use of a flow sensor which is configured to determine the amount of material that is dispensed from the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

At least one embodiment of the invention can relate to a system10for delivering building materials comprising a container11, a transport device coupled to the flat bed71, wherein the transport device can be configured to couple to a vehicle. In this case, the transport device can in this or in any embodiment be a flat bed for a truck. In addition, the container can be in the form of a standard sized container for a standard sized truck such as an eighteen wheel truck.

Inside the container11there can be a first holding bin12substantially disposed in the container11. In addition, there can be a second holding bin14substantially disposed in the container11. There can be at least one feed tube34coupled to the first holding bin12. This feed tube34is configured to receive material from bin12via chute33and can include a drive system29to feed the material through the feed tube34. The drive system29can be in the form of any known drive system, but in this case can be in the form of a screw drive system. There can be at least one other feed tube32coupled to the second holding bin14, via chute31, wherein this other feed tube can also comprise a second drive system27. This type of drive system27can be of any known drive system, such as in the form of a screw drive system. These two holding bins12and14can also each include a vacuum system such as vacuum system19or vacuum system21which is configured to vacuum up additional particulate matter that has not yet settled.

There can be at least one pre-mixer42configured to receive materials from at least one of the feed tubes32and34. The pre-mixer42has an input configured to receive an output of the feed tubes32and34of the first holding bin12or the second holding bin14. This pre-mixer42can also be coupled to a weight scale24and/or26which is configured to weigh the individual inputs of material such as a first type of material and a second type of material. With this design, the pre-mixer42is loaded by first inserting a first type of material, weighing this material individually in the pre-mixer42to set a second starting weight and then mixing the second type of material into the pre-mixer42. The loading of this second type of material is tracked so that it matches the pre-determined amount or ratio to create a proper solution. Once the ratios are matched in this pre-mixed batch the mixer or drive40mixes this batch before dispensing it through a door42ato the container of continuous mixer44.

Continuous mixer44is configured to receive an output of the pre-mixer42and configured to hold the components from the pre-mixer42. These mixing elements45of this pre-mixer can comprise paddles which can be turned to mix the components in the pre-mixer. Alternative mixing elements can be in the form of a screw drive. Continuous mixer44is configured to be larger than pre-mixer42so that multiple hatches of pre-mixer42can be inserted into continuous mixer44. In at least one embodiment, the continuous mixer44can be sized by volume to be up to five times larger than pre-mixer42. In that way there can be a simultaneous batch to continuous mixing process. Thus, multiple batches are transported from mixer42into continuous mixer44so that the system keeps moving forward to continuously mix multiple batches in continuous mixer44. At this position in continuous mixer44there is still no water added to the system. Mixer44also includes a high level sensor44a, a medium level sensor44band a low level sensor44cto determine whether to add additional batches from pre-mixer42into continuous mixer44. High level sensor44a, medium level sensor44band low level sensor44care in communication with a computer or control panel (seeFIG. 3) so that the level that this mix is set is communicated to the control panel. Flow rates into each pre-mixer42can then be controlled so that the flow up feed tubes32and34can be controlled to inject the appropriate amount of material at the appropriate pace.

In at least one embodiment, the transport device comprises a flat bed71with a connection element60configured to connect to the vehicle and wherein this vehicle comprises a motor vehicle.

Located below mixer44is another mixing bin47having a drive46which and drives the material into distribution devices48and50.

Distribution devices48and50are each driven by respective pumps or drives52and51which thereby pump material out from the system. In at least one embodiment, the dry material is mixed with water in mixing bin47. Therefore, mixing bin47is configured to receive fluid material. The dry material which is first mixed in batches in continuous mixer44is then dumped into mixing bin47to be wet mixed with fluid such as water. Once this material is mixed, it is then fed into distribution devices48and50for further distribution.

Alternatively, the fluid material can be fed directly into distribution devices48and50so that the fluid material such as water or chilled water is only mixed with the dry material at a last stage in the process before it is distributed.

In addition, there is a generator54which is configured to provide power to the components such as to control panel100as well as to the rest of the components. Furthermore for each bin12or14there are air filters or air handlers which can be HEPA type air filters or air handlers which pull particulate matter from bins12or14to reduce the environmental issues associated with filling bins12and14with material.

For example, as shown there is air handler55which comprises an air pump which draws particulate material through channel or tube56from bin14and filters this material. The particulate matter can then be stored and saved and recycled back into the system, such as back into bin14.

Similarly, bin12also has an air handler57which includes a tube58which draws particulate matter out of the system and stores this system in the body of the air handler. This particulate material can be recycled back into the system such as back into bin12. With one embodiment, there can be internal water tanks that are chilled, while in another embodiment, there can be external tanks or reservoirs of water that are chilled. For example,FIG. 1shows a first embodiment wherein there are also at least two internal water tanks70and70.1as well as a water line72which is configured to feed water into either tank47or into distribution devices48and50, past flow meter74via a water pump73which can be controlled by control panel/computer100. With this design, tank70.1can be the reserve chiller tank, tank70can be the feed tank and the water flows through water line72past flow meter74into these distribution devices48and50or into tank47.

With the second embodiment, the external chiller120is configured to chill the water or fluid in tanks70.1and70before it is mixed with the material in the distribution devices48. These water tanks can include water that is either chilled internally to the system or externally to the system.

This system can also comprise at least one scale such as scales20and22coupled to their respective holding bins12and14. For example, scale20is in communication with computer/control panel100, while scale22which is coupled to and configured to weigh holding bin14is configured to send the weight of material in holding bin14to computer100. Thus, these scales are in communication with a computerized system100(SeeFIG. 3) to track the weight of material moving through the system.

There can be at least one computer system100(SeeFIG. 3), wherein the computer system is configured to read information from at least one of the scales20, and22and to determine an amount of material fed from at least one of the first holding bin12and the second holding bin14.

The system can also comprise respective first and second air pumps16and18coupled to each of their respective holding bins12and14. Each of these air pumps pump particulate matter that is stirred up in holding bins12and14into an additional particulate holding bin such as bins55and57. For example, there is an air pump16coupled to the first holding bin12and a second air pump18coupled to the second holding bin14. This air pump is configured to pump particulate matter away from at least one of the first holding bin and the second holding bin. Access to these bins is controlled by hydraulic opening devices28and30which are respectively coupled to bins14and12. These hydraulic opening devices28and30are each configured to be hydraulically operated pistons. In addition, inside of each holding bin12and14are respective cutters15and17having raised arrow shaped blades. Furthermore, coupled to the flat bed71is a crane such as crane79. Crane79is configured to load material into the respective bins12and14while the sacks of material are cut by the respective cutters15and17when the sacks of material are loaded into the respective bins12and14.

As shown inFIG. 2, one embodiment of the invention relates to a process for continuously feeding building materials to a building site.

This process comprises a first step S1which includes adding material such as sand and binder to the two different holding bins such as holding bin/silo12and holding bin/silo14. Next, in step S2any particulate material is vacuumed away.

Next, in step S3the system can calibrate the feed rate of the device. In this step a first type of material such as either sand or binder is fed into the system in limited quantities to test the flow rate or feed rate of at least one portion of the system. For example, if sand is fed into holding bin14, this sand is then fed through the system into pre-mixer42, into continuous mixer44, and into mixing bin47to determine the flow rate of this material. Alternatively or in addition, with a second type of run for calibration, different material such as sand or binder can be fed into holding bin12, and then fed through the system into pre-mixer42, into continuous mixer44, and into mixing bin47as well. This type of pre-calibration allows the system to determine the actual feed rate for these materials. In at least one embodiment, the step of calibrating the feeding system comprises determining a first weight for a material to be mixed, moving the material through the feeding system, tracking the time for feeding the material through the system and then determining a second weight for the material to be mixed. This process can all be tracked by computer system100.

Next in step S4includes feeding a first type of material through a feeding system. This step includes step S4A which includes feeding a first type of material into a pre-mixer. Next the computer system100along with weight scales24and26weigh the input of this material in step S4b. When a predetermined amount is added to the pre-mixer, the pumping of the first material stops. Next, Step S5includes feeding a second type of material through the feeding system. This step includes step S5awhich includes feeding a second type of material into the pre-mixer42after the first type of material is fed therein. Next, in step S5B this material is weighed and when the combined weight reaches a predetermined amount, the pumping of this second material is stopped. This process also includes mixing said first type of material with a second type of material into a composite material in step S6in pre-mixer42.

Next, in step S7this dry mixed material is sent as a batch into a holding mixer44. This holding mixer is capable of storing multiple batches at a single time and also includes a high level sensor44a, a medium level sensor44b, and a low level sensor44c. If the high level sensor44aindicates that continuous mixer44is filled, then pre-mixer42holds off from adding additional material to the mix. However, if medium level sensor44bor low level sensor44cindicate that the material is getting low in this continuous mixer44then the pre-mixer42is then instructed to either open a pre-mixing door42aand dump additionally pre-mixed material into the batch, or to continue mixing until the next batch is ready and then dump the pre-mixed material into the continuous mixer44.

This process can also include mixing a third type of material with the composite material in step S8. In this process, the mixed batch material is continuously fed into third mixing bin47which then results in a third type of material being mixed with the dry mix to create a fluid-type slurry. This third type of material can be a liquid material such as water, a water chemical mixture or any other type of third material.

A next step S9can include pumping the mixed material to a building site. Because third mixing bin47is so small, the previous bin44can continuously feed material into bin47thereby creating a simultaneous batch-continuous mixing process.

FIG. 3shows the communication between the computer/control panel100and the components of the system which can be controlled by the computer/control panel100. In this case, there is a direct wireless or wired communication between the remote components and the computer control panel100. For example scales20,22,24, and26are in either wireless or wired communication with computer/control panel100. This communication allows scales20,22,24and26to communicate the weight that is present within these holding bins12and14as well as tracking the dynamic weight change that occurs within these holding bins thereby tracking the flow rate of materials from these holding bins. The material is dispersed from these holding bins12and14via a first material drive36for bin12and a second material drive38for bin14. These material drives are disposed at a bottom region of bins12and14(SeeFIG. 1) such that the material dispensed by bins12and14is synchronized with the material fed up through feed tubes32and34. Therefore, first material drive36is synchronized with drive29in feed tube34, while second material drive38is synchronized with second drive27in feed tube32to allow a continuous and even flow of material up these feed tubes.

In addition, mixer40which is associated with pre-mixer42as well as mixing elements45which is associated with the continuous mixer44, can all be synchronized by computer100to control the flow of material through the system. Door42acan have a mechanical opening system which is configured to open this door when contacted by computer100.

Furthermore, material from continuous mixer44can be fed by pump, or drive46which mixes material in mixing bin47and feeds mixed material into distribution devices48and50. High level sensor44a, medium level sensor44band low level sensor44care configured to send signals to computer or controller100so that computer or controller100can decide when to open door42ato distribute more material from pre mixer42into continuous mixer44which comprises a mixing bin.

There is also a wireless transceiver110which is configured to communicate with other devices such as remote computers or laptop computers which can be used to operate control panel100.

In addition there are a plurality of different sensors/gauges that are configured to work with water cooler system120. For example, there is an outdoor thermometer115which communicates the outdoor temperature to the control panel100. There is also a water temperature thermometer116which is disposed in at least one embodiment in tank70or tank70.1which can be in the form of a water tank. The water temperature thermometer116and the is configured to send water temperature information to control panel100as well. Furthermore, a humidity sensor117which is disposed on the truck is also in communication with control panel100as well.

Some of the other components connected to computer/control panel100are printer98which is configured to print statements which reflect the amount of material that is disbursed, the location of the job, the estimate for the job, the actual cost for the job based upon the amount of material disbursed. Computer100can also control wheel drive53for a hose which can connect to an outside water source. Computer100can also be in communication with generator54, wheel drive53, water flow meter74, scanner49, drive51, and drive52and any other elements shown inFIG. 3. For example, scanner49can be in the form of a hand held scanner which communicates wirelessly or an attached scanner which communicates via a cable with computer100. An example of a wired scanner is shown inFIG. 1. However, in a preferred embodiment, the scanner is a wireless scanner.

This system can also include an external water cooling system. For example,FIG. 4Adiscloses an external water cooling system which can either be included with the pump truck or housed on a separate truck. The external water cooling system120includes two different sets of tanks including an external water cooling system122and isolated water tank121. Inside of this external water cooling system120separate water tanks122, a chiller or compressor123and a water pump124to pump the water either into or out of the tank along line126. Compressor123is configured to chili the water down to a desired temperature such as approximately, 15 degrees C., or even as low as 14 degrees C.

The two different sets of tanks121and122can operate in a similar manner to the two tank system70and70.1shown inFIG. 1. However tanks122function as external water tanks which can be housed outside of the container of the system10.

A valve129is configured to control the release of water along line140. In addition, water is input into the system via line130which allows for an inlet of the water through valve138, past water filter136, and water meter134, through magnet valve132and contra valve131into the water tanks. Essentially as water enters into pipe130it is filtered by water filter136. The amount of flow is monitored by water meter134and this flow is then controlled by valves132and131into the tanks. Once the water is inside the tanks, the temperature is monitored via temperature sensor141. In addition, the water level inside of the tanks is monitored via a pressure sensor142.

Water is dispersed from the tanks via valve129which is controlled by the controller in control panel100. Water then flows along line140to ether the drain pipe and out drain valve147, or along line140and to water pump143which continues to pump the water to water meter144, past magnet valve145, and flow meter146and out to the water supply150for the mixing bin47or distribution devices48and50. The magnet valve145can be controlled by the controller so that if the flow meter146detects that too much water has flowed, or the water meter144detects that the water pressure is too high, then magnet valve145can be closed.

This water cooling system120can be used to chill the water before it is introduced into the mixer to slow the reaction time of the building materials being mixed in the mixing bin47or the distribution devices48and50and to control the temperature of the water introduced into the mixture so that the mixture of building materials and water have a substantially uniform reaction time once the material is mixed and then subsequently poured.

Some of this water can also be selectively drained from the system via valve139which allows water to flow out of the system and into a drain pipe as well.

Thus, there is a system which is a computer controlled system wherein once the drives are synchronized for each set of material, the system can operate on a continuous flow system wherein this material is simultaneously batch mixed as well as continuously mixed.

FIG. 4Bshows a process for cooling the fluid or water before it is mixed with the additional materials. For example, in step S10the system determines the outside temperature with outdoor thermometer115. Next, in step S11the system or control panel100determines the outside humidity. Humidity is an important factor because it can be used to determine how much water should be added to the mixture. Hot and humid days may result in different amounts of water being added vs. cool and wet clays or hot and dry days or cool and dry days. Therefore, it is helpful if control panel100can determine the temperature of the outside air as well as the humidity in the air before starting the process.

Next, in step S12the control panel100or system determines the flow rate of the dry material in the system. In at least one embodiment, the flow rate of the material can be predetermined beforehand so this step can be already set before the process even starts.

Once the flow rate of the dry material is determined then the system in step S13determines how much water/fluid should be added to the mixture. In at least one embodiment, the system could be dynamic in that the flow rate can be varied for both the dry material and the wet material. This flow rate can be varied based upon the outside temperature and the outside humidity which is read by control panel100.

In step S14, control panel100determines the water/fluid temperature before chilling the water. Next, in step S15the system chills the water. By knowing the flow rate of the water and the temperature of the water, the system can work to continuously keep the water cool so that a continuous flow of cool water/fluid is available to mix with the system. In at least one embodiment, this continuous flow of cool water can be set at approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), in another embodiment, the temperature could be approximately 55 degrees F., approximately 60 degrees F., approximately 70 degrees F., approximately 75 degrees F., approximately 80 degrees F., or any suitable temperature in between.

In step S16the water/fluid is added to the mixture to create a wet slurry. Finally in step S17the system, which is shown by way of example in step S17continuously monitors the above parameters so that the chiller can adjust its cooling rate to keep the water cool to a suitable temperature.

There can also be a system for tracking orders used in a continuous, or batch-continuous mixing system. For example, inFIG. 5Ais a schematic view of a system for purchasing and for controlling the flow of material through a dispensing system10. The dispensing system can be in the form of a portable dispensing system such as that shown inFIGS. 1-4. For example, with this system there is a first server204which catalogs and controls the identity of packages of goods. In this embodiment this server204includes a database which includes a list of the packages of goods and the amount of goods in each package. An alternative server202which can be in the form of any additional or auxiliary server can also be connected to server204. This additional or alternative server202can be in the form of an application server, a database server or any other type of suitable server. In addition, there can be a remote pc206which is in communication with first server204as well as in communication with alternative server202. This remote pc or computing device206can be in communication with these servers202and204either on an intranet or through the interact200. Each of these servers202,204or computing device206include a processor such as a microprocessor202a,204a,206arespectively, a motherboard202b,204b,206brespectively, and a memory202c,204c,206crespectively, a communication port202d,204d,206drespectively which allows these devices to independently process information via their respective microprocessors, store information their respective memories, and communicate with each other via their respective communication devices. These communication ports, particularly communication port230dor communication ports230cand/or230fcan be in communication with transceiver110for communication with.

FIG. 5Cshows another version of the computing device such as computing device230which includes two different communication ports. For example, there is a communication port230ewhich is for WIFI communication. A communication port230fis a mobile communication port which has a SIM card, CDMA or any other type of cellular communication to wirelessly communicate with the servers.

Each of these devices communicate either together or through a designated server such as through first server204or the alternate server202. Once this information is passed to the internet200it is then passed onto either a remote computer or processing device210or onto a controller230for controlling the dispensing system10.

The controller230can be configured as a computer such as a personal computer having a processor230a, a motherboard230b, a memory230cand a communication port230d. The communication port230dcan be in the form of a wireless communication port or a wired communication port. In at least one embodiment, this communication port is a wireless communication port having either WIFI (80211.x.) type communication, cellular communication such as 3g, 4g CDMA or any other type of protocol for communication. The information is then communicate between this controller230and the Internet200and then passed back to server204or server202. Remote computer210can also include a microprocessor210a, a motherboard210b, a memory210e, and a communication port210dwhere remote computer210is configured to communicate through a computer network such as the internet to relay information. From this remote computer210a user can purchase product and have the access code sent wirelessly to controller230. The layout and design of the individual computer components is shown inFIG. 5B. In this view, there is a microprocessor202a,204a,206a,210a,230a, for the respective computing devices202,204,206,210,230, a motherboard202b,204b,206b,210b,230b, memory202c,204c,206c,210e, and230c, a communication port202d,204d,206d,210d,230d, and a mass storage which can be in the form of a hard drive202e,204e,206e,210e,230e.

FIG. 5Cshows the computing device230alone which instead of using a single communication port230d, includes two different types of communication ports230eand230f. Communication port230cis a first type of communication port such as WIFI, or using standard TCP/IP protocols and relying on WIFI hotspots. Communication port230fis a cellular type communication port which operates using cellular type communication in addition to the WIFI communication or alternative to this WIFI communication.

FIG. 6is a flow chart for the process for controlling the use of product through a system for delivering building materials such as the system10.

For example, the process starts in step301wherein the producer creates a product in step301. This product can be in the form of cement or building materials. The cement or building materials can be housed in a container such as a sack. Next, in step302, the producer can assign an individual code to that container or sack. Alternatively, the producer in step303can assign a group code to this container or sack. The group code would then coordinate for multiple containers or sacks. The assignment of these codes and the tracking of these building materials can be done through the use of a first server204or an alternative server202. In this case, the assignment of the code would be performed by a microprocessor202ain server202or by microprocessor204ain server204. Remote computing device206can also be used to control the assignment of codes to the product as well. For example a user could log into any one of the servers202or204and then assign individually these numbers in the form of a manual override. Once the codes are assigned to the product, the system can offer the product for sale in step304. If the purchase of the product results in a group purchase, the system an also in step305supply or provide an additional code for hulk purchases which was not provided before. This code can be in any form of identification code for unlocking the use of the machine.

Next, users who are owners of the system10can purchase this product in step306. The purchase of this product can be through a sales call, where a salesman can initiate the sale of this product over the telephone and then place the order or through a computer generated process as well.

Once the product is purchased, the user can receive the product in step307. The purchase of this product will allow the user to receive the generated code as well in step308.

The product can be processed through the system wherein the product can be loaded into one or more holding bins or containers before delivering the mixed product. These containers can contain a bar code, or RFID code or near field scannable code which allows the computer device230to determine whether this is authorized product. For example, as shown inFIG. 7there is a container400in the form of a sack for containing the building materials. This sack can include a scannable tag402. Scannable tag402can include a bar code, either 2d or 3d barcode or a scannable RFID tag which then unlocks the device to operate further. This tag can be scanned by a scanner49which can be either a wired scanner or a wireless handheld scanner in communication with controller230or computer100. Essentially controller230can include all of the components of computer100but also be configured with codes for selectively unlocking the control panel for a limited volume of mixing or for a limited period of time. With computer100this feature is optional.

Once the code is processed in the truck in controller or computing device230in step309, then the controller is unlocked to process the material. This unlocking stage can occur via codes already stored in the controller230or via the controller230communicating with any one of servers202and204to determine whether this code is an authorized code. Once the truck or system has been released for processing in step311it can then process the building materials. This system can also catalog the usage of the materials in step312so that it can track the amount of material processed, and the type of material processed including the times and dates of the usage of the material. This information can then be used to create an invoice to customers who are having work performed on their building. The cataloging of this information then can result in determining the end amount in step313. Once the full amount of material has been processed the system stops processing in step314. If more codes are added, either through electronic communication (email, database download, text message, etc), or scanning a code on site via scanner49then the system can be unlocked again for processing. If during processing, more codes are added, then the volume of material to be disbursed can be increased and the point at which the system is stopped is delayed. Alternatively, this control could be based not on volume but on time as well.

Thus, at this step, the end amount can be continuously re-adjusted based upon either the scanning in of additional tags on containers of building materials, or through the purchase of security codes through wireless communication with a server. This then unlocks at least one mixing step, which can comprise mixing the material in the different mixers such as the pre-mixer42, the continuous mixer44, the mixing bin47, and the distribution devices48and50. Thus this at least one mixing step can include a continuous mixing of material through the system from start to finish until the building materials have been distributed. This information can be cataloged or determined by determining the flow rate of the material through the system and then determining based upon the flow rate of the material, the time for processing the material the entire volume of material being distributed is determined. Once the entire volume of material is determined, and reached, the system can then shut down and stop processing the material.

With these systems such as system10the type of material that is used can greatly affect the ability of the system to function properly. Thus, by having a system to lock down the usage of the system unless it is tied to the particular material used would greatly help avoid any possible operating errors or problems with a machine locking up or breaking during operation.