AU2002300427B2

AU2002300427B2 - Roller for spreading viscous compound

Info

Publication number: AU2002300427B2
Application number: AU2002300427A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert Rath
Original assignee: WET SEAL HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: WET-SEAL HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-08-09
Filing date: 2002-08-06
Publication date: 2006-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-06

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 WET-SEAL HOLDINGS PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Roller for Spreading Viscous Compounds The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- Field of the Invention This invention relates to a roller and in particular to a roller for spreading viscous compounds.

Background of the Invention It is known to use rollers to spread viscous compounds for various applications. Often such viscous compounds have to be laid to a recommended depth with complete and even coverage of the surface being treated.

In the construction and renovation of buildings, it is known to spread "single pot" polyurethane using rollers. The polyurethane air cures to form a waterproof membrane for waterproofing bathrooms and the like. In order to function effectively the polyurethane has to be evenly laid to a particular depth typically having a minimum thickness of 1.2mm and a maximum thickness of 1.8mm. At present such polyurethane layers are applied in two coats because existing rollers are unable to apply a single layer having the required characteristics in one coat. When attempts are made to apply the layer in a single coat, the surface coverage does not tend to be even and entrapped air and gasses create voids in the waterproofing layer that may lead to failure of the membrane.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved roller which enables the application of an even layer of a viscous material to a desired depth in a single coat.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for spreading viscous substances comprising: a handle means journalled to a roller, the roller comprising a central core defining a surface and a series of spaced discs defined along the core with distal edges of the discs projecting beyond the surface of the core of the roller and wherein the discs have a width of 0.25 to 0.75mm.

The apparatus of the present invention enables the application of an even layer of the viscous compound. The gap left in the layer by the relatively thin discs is sufficiently small to close satisfactorily after the roller has passed to leave an even layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the discs are spaced apart at a distance of between 2.5mm to 3.5mm, most preferably about 3mm.

It is preferred that the distal edges of the discs project from the core by a distance of around 3.5mm to 4.0mm or more.

In a related aspect, the invention provides, a method of forming a waterproof polyurethane membrane on a planar surface comprising the steps of: a) applying a quantity of liquid polyurethane to the surface: b) spreading the liquid polyurethane to a depth of 1.2 to 1.8mm by means of a roller having a central core and defining a series of discs spaced along the core with the distal edges of the discs projecting beyond the core surface of the roller by a distance of greater than 3.5mm, the discs having a width of 0.25 to 0.75mm; c) allowing the polyurethane to solidify and cure to form a waterproof membrane.

The roller of the present invention may be used for forming layers of viscous materials other than polyurethane. It can, for example, be used or adapted for use with rubber based waterproofing substances, which tend to be more viscous than polyurethane but which form a trafficable finished coating one which can be walked on and which does not require application of a protective surface layer.

Brief Description of the Drawings A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a handle journalled to a roller for large scale application of a polyurethane layer; Figure 2 shows a schematic drawing of the roller shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates a detailing roller embodying the present invention.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a roller 10 journalled to a handle means comprising a generally U-shaped bracket 12 and an elongate handle 14. It will be readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the roller 10 can be controlled, pushed and manipulated by an operator manipulating the handle 14.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the roller 10. The roller includes a core 20 which has a constant diameter of 17.5mm apart from end portions 22 which have a relatively smaller diameter of 14.25mm. The end portions are sized and configured to locate in holes near the ends of the U bracket 12 for securing the roller to the bracket as shown in Figure 1.

A series of evenly spaced apart parallel discs 24 extend are defined along the core 20 of the roller. Each disc has an external diameter of 24.5mm and thus projects 3.5mm from the surface of the core 20. The discs are spaced 3mm apart from one another. The width of each disc is The roller and discs are machined from a suitable metal such as stainless steel or aluminium.

In use a quantity of polyurethane is decanted onto an area to be waterproofed, typically sufficient to cover one square metre. The polyurethane is then spread using the roller. The width, depth and spacing of the discs enable an even layer of polyurethane to be formed having a depth of 1.2 to 1.8mm. The gap left in the layer by the relatively thin discs is sufficiently small to close satisfactorily after the roller has passed. Surprisingly although the final layer is only 1.2 to 1.8mm deep it has been found that for polyurethane the discs need to project about 3.5mm or more from the core to achieve a satisfactory result for a layer of that depth.

The discs on the roller are believed to assist in removing entrapped air and gases within the layer and thus reduce the number of voids which may lead to failure of the membrane.

Applying the layer in one coat creates gains in efficiency as it is a much quicker process particularly since it is not necessary to wait for the first layer to part cure before applying a second layer as is necessary with previous technology.

It will be appreciated that the roller of the present invention may be used for applying viscous substances other than polyurethane. In that case the dimensions of the roller may be varied, depending on the viscosity of the substance. For example, the roller may be used with rubber based substances which are to form trafficable waterproof layers. For more viscous substances, the distance that the disc projects from the core surface may be increased as may the disc spacing. The size and spacing of the discs may also be varied to suit the depth of the layer to be provided.

Figure 3 shows a smaller roller 50 which may be used for finer detailing work. The roller is fixed to a handle 52 via a steel frame 54. The roller includes a core 56 from which a series of evenly spaced discs 58 project. Each of the discs 58 has an outside diameter such that they project 3.5mm from the surface 60 of the core. The discs are spaced 3mm apart from one another.

Each disc is 0.5mm thick. The surface of each disc has a parallel knurl machined into it to a depth of 0.25mm.

The roller and discs are integral being machined from a cylinder of a suitable metal such as aluminium or steel.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. An apparatus for spreading viscous substances comprising: a handle means journalled to a roller, the roller comprising a central core defining a surface and a series of spaced discs defined along the core with distal edges of the discs projecting beyond the surface of the core of the roller and wherein the discs have a width of 0.25 to 0.75mm.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the discs have a width of about

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the discs are spaced apart at a distance of between 2.5mm to

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the discs are spaced apart from each other at a distance of about 3mm.

An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the discs project from the core surface by a distance of more than

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the distal edges of the discs project from the core by a distance of 3.5 to

7. A method of forming a waterproof membrane on a planar surface comprising the steps of: a) applying a quantity of a liquid waterproofing material to the surface; b) spreading the liquid material to a desired depth by means of a roller having a central core and defining a series of discs spaced along the core with the distal edges of the discs projecting beyond the core surface of the roller by a distance of greater than 3.5mm, the discs having a width of 0.25 to 0.75mm; c) allowing the material to solidify and cure to form a waterproof membrane.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the liquid material is polyurethane and the desired depth is 1.2 to 1.8mm.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the discs have a width of about

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, 8 or claim 9 wherein the discs are spaced apart at a distance of between 2.5mm to

11. A method of forming a waterproof polyurethane membrane on a planar surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 7

12. An apparatus for spreading viscous compounds substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings. Dated this fifth day of August 2002 Wet-Seal Holdings Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO