ES2686773T3 - Apparatus for applying a liquid patch product - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for the application on the ground of a patching product, characterized in that it comprises: - a support (600) capable of being manually moved on the ground by rolling in a multidirectional way; and - a reservoir (100) carried by the support and suitable for containing a liquid that forms a patch product; and - a distribution device (300) in selective communication with a lower region of the tank, characterized in that the distribution device comprises a tube in which a series of openings (320) horizontally spaced through which the liquid are formed it is susceptible to flow by the sole effect of gravity, the tube protruding laterally outside the support (600) in a visible way.

Description

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

DESCRIPTION

Apparatus for applying a liquid patch product Scope of the invention

The present invention generally concerns an apparatus for the application of a liquid product for patching floors.

Background of the invention

Two techniques, both manuals, are mainly known for applying and spreading a patching product in the soil that is presented in essentially liquid form.

According to a first technique, the operator works on his knees. This method has been practiced mostly for several decades. The operator pours a dozen kg of product on the floor from a drum inside which some tens of kg of product have been prepared, in general by mixing a powdery product with water.

Then, the operator, in a kneeling position, spreads the product by a reciprocating movement with the help of a trowel or a straightener, held with the arm extended.

The result is a great difficulty that generates a loss of productivity over the hours. In addition, reciprocating movements frequently leave the defect of a wave effect that subsists after the product has dried.

For the operator, in addition to the immediate physical fatigue, the strong difficulty is manifested by the appearance of muscular and joint pains that evolve in more or less long term in musculoskeletal problems (TMS) at the level of the knees, arms, of the shoulders and back.

The second known technique is implemented while the operator is in a standing position. This technique, very little used by the whole profession, is only a limited use alternative. It is implemented with the help of an adjustable or interchangeable blade spatula provided with spikes. Document FR 2 453 962 A1 gives an example of such an apparatus. In variant, it is known to provide skates or toothed sizing to leave the desired quantity of product on the ground.

It is also known, for standing use, a device comprising a set of rollers assembled on the axis of one another, inter-washers between the rollers, larger in diameter than that of the rollers, which allow the work surface of the the rollers and leave only the desired product thickness on the ground.

These different devices are installed at the end of a handle in order to allow their use standing. But these tools are considered inefficient for use. Indeed, it is still necessary to tilt a heavy drum to pour the product, and then you have to scrape a significant amount of product during the first movements.

On the other hand, with a device of the type described in document FR 2 453 962 A1, scraping on roughness of the rough floor causes tool shocks and spreading defects, which need a touch-up and repetition of the movement, demanding for the operator . Finally, in addition, when this problem occurs near a wall, the latter is dotted. Thus, the application of the product near the plinths without staining them is almost impossible, and this device is therefore unsuitable for compartmentalized surfaces such as homes and others.

The roller device has the same drawbacks, with the exception of shocks due to the roughness of the floor. However, the spreading movements of the product are delicate due to the fact that the roller can only roll in a direction perpendicular to its axis; It is therefore difficult to contain and guide the product in the desired direction and it overflows to one and another part of the roller, forcing unnecessary touch-ups. To make these adjustments, it is necessary to lift the roller with the extended arm in order to replace the excess product, which is very demanding for the operator. In addition, since the weight of the roller is considerable, the fact of causing it to fall into the product in excess runs the risk of splashing a wall or partition located in the vicinity.

Finally, another useful technique to mention is a technique in a standing position with a mechanical pump, for example, of the type described in FR 2 671 754 A1. This technique is intended to eliminate the problems of manual work, namely, mainly operator fatigue, appearance defects and lack of cleanliness of the work performed. But numerous inconveniences appear: high cost of the machine, significant weight of the machine (about 100 kg), transport and volume of the machine, need for assembly / disassembly and especially cleaning at the end of use, particularly annoying operations but essential (causing a bad cleaning later malfunctions).

The installation on site can also be considered particularly difficult in case of access to muddy terrain, presence of ditches, congested passages, stairs, etc).

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

Finally, the use of the machine imposes a reliable power supply (generally uncertain on site) because the untimely shutdown quickly causes its obstruction. The same occurs in the event of a water cut, unless an auxiliary reserve is provided in a drum to defer the work stop or launch an emergency cleaning procedure.

It should also be noted that the work must be carried out by at least three operators, a first that feeds the dust machine, a second that holds the product spout above the ground, and a third that moves the full heavy tube of product.

Finally, the presumed advantage of high performance is not systematically verified, because generally an important area must be shared with other workers working in the work. Thus, for example, an area of 1000 m2 is generally treated in 2 to 4 patched sectors one after the other, thus canceling the interest of using the machine.

For this reason this machine is only rarely used, and tends to disappear from the catalogs of manufacturers and sellers of tools.

On the other hand, US 6 260 743 B1 is known as an applicator device for tile joints in which nozzles are fed individually by flexible tubes from an endless screw combined with a plug. The principle of displacement and distribution of this document, due to the nature of its application, makes it however inappropriate for a patching application.

Document FR 2 244 893 A describes, in turn, an applicator device guided on a well defined path with the help of parallel wheels. In addition, the distribution device, consisting of a single groove, is located entirely in the vertical handle of the device.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the invention is to propose a device for placing a patching product that allows an operator to work without fatigue, which is economical, simple, light, not very bulky, autonomous (that does not require power supply except for the power supply. a possible mixing device), easily cleanable and reliable, while ensuring a product application quality at least equivalent to that obtained by an experienced manual operator working on his knees.

A more particular object of the invention is to ensure a regular application of patching product while the device can be easily moved and can visually control the application.

It is thus proposed, in accordance with the invention, an apparatus for the application on the ground of a patch product as defined in claim 1. Preferred, but not limiting, aspects of this apparatus comprise the additional features of the dependent claims. .

Brief description of the drawings

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the present invention will be better apparent in reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example and made referring to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevational view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, in side elevation and partially in section, of a lower region of the apparatus of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the lower region of the apparatus according to an embodiment variant of the invention, and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

Referring to the figures, an applicator apparatus for liquid patching product comprising a container 100 for the product is shown. The container is generally barrel-shaped and is advantageously made of plastic material, for example, of high density polyethylene. The barrel preferably has a diameter of 35 cm to 55 cm in diameter and a height of 60 cm to 80 cm.

The bottom wall 110 of the container is perforated by a hole 112, for example, of a diameter of 40 mm to 60 mm, for communication of the interior of the container with a device 300 for distributing patching by means of an elbow 200 90 °.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

55

This elbow made for example by PVC injection comprises a vertical part 210 that extends the hole 112 downwards and provided at its upper end with a collar 212 that extends into the inner space 120 of the barrel and by which the elbow is fixed to the barrel (for example by gluing, or with the help of a tightening nut that is screwed underneath, etc.) and by which it is fixed in said opening, an elbow part 220 and a horizontal part 230.

Inside the collar 212 a flexible annular flat gasket 250 is provided, for example, of elastomer, intended to cooperate with a shut-off valve which will be described in the following. This is fixed in this case by peripheral embedding in the collar material.

The apparatus further comprises an intermediate cylindrical sleeve 400 installed between the elbow 200 and the distribution device 300, a sleeve that has the function of making it possible to instantaneously disassemble the distribution device 300 for example with a view to cleaning it, in the course of work . The sleeve 400 is, for example, fixed by fitting fitted in the horizontal part 230 of the bend 200.

The distribution device 300 is constituted by a tube for example of PVC, of a diameter of the order of 30 mm to 60 mm and of a length of the order of 300 mm to 600 mm. An open end 310 of this tube is inserted into the open end 410 of the sleeve 400. For example, the inner diameter of the sleeve 400 is 42 mm, while the outer diameter of the distribution tube 300 is 40 mm, being a lip seal 420 integral with the sleeve 400 in the region of its open end 410 to cooperate with the tube 300 and ensure the tightness between these two pieces in the course of work.

The detachability of the elements 200, 300, 400 with respect to each other is ensured, in order to facilitate cleaning either at the end of the operation, or during the operation in case of obstruction, entry of an external element, etc. . in which case the shut-off valve is implemented as will be described later.

At the opposite end 320, the distribution tube 300 is closed by a plug 350 for example of elastomeric material, preferably removable.

Between its two ends, the tube is perforated by a series of openings 320 oriented downwards and desinados to the passage of the patching product with a view to its spreading as will be seen in the following. The openings have a diameter of approximately 6 mm to 10 mm (determined especially as a function of the greater or lesser viscosity of the liquid patching product), preferably approximately 8 mm, and are spaced mutually spaced 20 mm to 50 mm apart, by example, 40 mm. According to the length of the tube 100 and the values chosen for the diameter of the openings and their spacing, typically between 4 openings and 15 openings are provided.

The apparatus according to the invention further comprises a valve 500 that selectively allows or not the flow of the patching product of the container 100 towards the dispensing device 300. This valve comprises a sealing member 510 capable of penetrating from above the collar 212 of the elbow 200. This sealing region 510 is superimposed on a sleeve 520 that extends vertically in the inner space 120 of the barrel 100, made for example from a PVC tube assembled to the sealing part 510, also made of PVC. The upper end of the sleeve, located substantially at the top of the barrel 100 or protruding upwardly therefrom, forms a maneuvering handle 530.

As Figure 2 shows, the sealing member 510 comprises, from the bottom up, a guide tube 512 that facilitates the positioning of the valve in position, a sealing part 514 of diameter slightly larger than that of the tube 512, located at seal level 250 and intended to establish a satisfactory seal with it. The sealing part finally comprises a wider ring or collar 518 intended to form a shoulder that rests against a homologous shoulder formed by the upper part of collar 212 of elbow 200, to define an end of stroke of the sealing part in the direction of closure, preventing the sealing member 510 from entering too deeply into the elbow 200 and wedging or creating an inclination capable of compromising the tightness.

The diameters of the different parts are chosen according to the role they have to play, being of the order of 30 mm to 50 mm for the smaller diameter parts and 40 mm to 80 mm for the larger diameter part.

It should be noted that the seal is secured at the same time by the support between the projections of the collars 518, 212 and by the cooperation between the flat joint 250 and the periphery of the part 514.

The assembly formed by the container 100, the distribution equipment 200, 300, 400 and the valve 500 is mounted on a car 600. This car comprises a platform 610 for example of a circular or square shape, on which the base 110 of the barrel 100. The platform consists, for example, of an iron whose dimensions are adapted to those of the base of the barrel (for example, a square of 300 mm to 500 mm side).

The platform 610 is mounted on three or four roulettes 620 (in this case four roulettes arranged in the four corners of a square), which are all freely pivoting about a vertical axis, eventually being

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

lockable

On the platform 610 a cut of appropriate dimensions is formed to accommodate the sleeve 400 and the essential of the elbow 200.

As Figure 1 shows, the distribution device 300 protrudes laterally with respect to the material platform 610 to allow the operator to visualize well how the patching product is distributed on the floor.

Advantageously, the apparatus also comprises a mixing device 700 comprising a mixing accessory 710 of the beater type having a sleeve 712 that descends into the liquid contained in the barrel (at an appropriate distance from the valve to avoid disturbing its operation) and provided in its free end of the part 714 that forms the whisk itself. The accessory is mounted in this case on an electro-portable device such as a perforator 720. Alternatively, it could be a specific motor, powered by the mains or by rechargeable battery.

The mixing device is removably mounted on a support 120 integral with the barrel 100. Advantageously, this support 120 occupies only a part of the upper opening of the barrel so that the level of the liquid patch product inside can be visually verified of the barrel This also preferably serves to guide and retain the upper part 530 of the valve 500, and to allow, with the help of a pin, a jaw or any other suitable mechanical element, to retain the valve in the high (open) or low position (closed).

Optionally, in the upper region of the barrel 100, for example, fixed to the support 120, a handle (not shown) is provided which makes it easier to guide the apparatus during its movements. For example, it can be two vertical or inclined handles that allow the device to be held with two hands forming a handle.

The apparatus according to the invention is used as follows:

- after verifying that the valve 500 was closed, the operator pours a dose of powder and the corresponding amount of water into the barrel 100; the mixing device being in service, the mixing is carried out autonomously;

- the power supply of the mixing device being connected, the apparatus is moved by rolling it to the product application site, then the operator opens the valve 500 by lifting the sleeve 520 with the help of the maneuvering handle 530,

- the product then begins to flow by gravity between the interior of the tank 100 and the distributor 300 and to leave distributedly at the level of the different openings 320, and the operator then moves the apparatus, generally at the same time in rotation and in translation , so that the quantity of product spread is adapted to the desired thickness, in turn, in general, a function of the state of the soil;

- once the application is finished, the valve 500 is closed and the device can be moved to another area to be treated; if the treatment is over, the dispensing device 300 is disassembled to be cleaned, just like the bottom of the tank 100 and the valve 500.

In accordance with the variant illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the apparatus further comprises, above the openings 320 and in alignment with them, a distribution element 800 intended to homogenize the distribution of the product on the floor. In this example, the element 800 has the shape of an elongated profile with a bulged section, its upper face 810 being turned towards the openings 320, concave. In a variant, a flat or convex upper surface could be used, however, the concave profile has given the best results in terms of product distribution.

The element 800 is preferably fixed to the distribution device 300, for example, with the aid of collars or fixing hooks 820. Alternatively, the elements 300 and 800 can be formed by a single piece, for example, by injection of plastic material.

Tests have been carried out with an apparatus according to the invention. The device has allowed an inexperienced person to treat several thousand square meters of compartmentalized premises with a high quality of application, without effort or fatigue. It is noted that it can be easily manipulated and used by a single operator.

Naturally, the present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiment described and represented, but the person skilled in the art will know how to add thereto numerous variants and modifications in the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. Apparatus for the application on the floor of a patching product, characterized in that it comprises: - a support (600) capable of being manually moved on the ground by rolling in a multidirectional way; Y - a tank (100) carried by the support and suitable for containing a liquid that forms a patch product; Y - a distribution device (300) in selective communication with a lower region of the tank, characterized in that the distribution device comprises a tube in which a series of horizontally spaced openings (320) are formed through which the liquid is capable of flowing by the sole effect of gravity, the tube protruding laterally outside the support (600) visibly. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a sealing device (500) capable of selectively opening and closing a communication channel (200, 400) between the reservoir and the distribution device. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the communication channel comprises a part (210) generally oriented vertically leading to the bottom of the tank, and that the sealing device comprises a shutter (510) which it extends inside the tank, suitable for being guided in said part (210) generally oriented vertically and sent from an upper region of the tank (100). 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the shutter (510) cooperates with the channel (210) at the same time by support between projections formed at the level of the shutter (518) and the channel (212) and by a joint flexible ring (250) interleaved. 5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the distribution device (300) comprises a blind tube that generally extends horizontally and along which said openings (320) are distributed. 6. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means (310, 400) for sealing and detachable mounting of the distribution device. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealed mounting means comprise a pressure coupling with gasket (420) between a tubular end (310) of the distribution device and a coupling sleeve (400). 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sleeve (400) is connected to the bottom of the tank by an elbow (200). 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, taken in combination with one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the communication channel with which the sealing device cooperates comprises a vertical part (210) of the elbow (200), whereby it is mounted tightly on the bottom (110) of the tank (100). 10. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a product distribution element located below the openings, the patching product being distributed over the element before reaching the ground. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the delivery element has a generally concave upper face.