EP1887159B1 - Weather independent cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

Cleaning device contains sulfur material which reacts with a reaction material to form a surface-cleaning sulfate compound. The sulfur material is released over time over the surface to be cleaned. Preferred Features: The reaction material is an elementary reaction metal and/or a compound containing the elementary metal and/or a material mixture containing the metal and/or compound. The reaction metal is zinc and/or copper and the sulfur material is a sulfide, sulfate, sulfoxide and/or organic sulfur compound and/or a material mixture containing sulfur or sulfur compound.

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning device for the weather exposed surfaces such as roofs, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such cleaning devices are known from various proprietary rights. The development has always been there to make cleaning devices from the highest possible possible copper, ie as pure as possible copper and to provide as protective as possible copper surface, so that the copper can react with natural moisture, as for example in the WO 2005/071181 and WO 2004/018 794 is described. The adapted to the particular roof tile form copper sheet plate was even attached with fixing means made of copper to the roof to the reaction surface of the cleaning device, ie the copper surface of the respective plate to increase. Further measures to increase the copper surface involved multilayer laminations of copper sheet on the base copper plate of the cleaning device, as in EP 1 389 659 B1 described. EP 1 389 659 B1 discloses a cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 1. It has been recognized that it also plays a major role to suspend the copper material on the reaction surfaces as long as possible the natural moisture, as in the gaps between the copper layers according to EP 1 389 659 B1 already was the case. Further improvements in this direction concerned copper layers of perforated plates and a movable connection of the individual copper layers to each other, so that the water penetrating into the gap between the copper is kept as long as possible therein. In other manifestations of roof cleaning devices of the applicant, it was always important to expose the largest possible copper surface of the natural moisture, such as in the cleaning device according to German utility model DE 203 211 44.8 in which the copper was provided in the form of a container with a large outer surface.

While in these roof cleaning devices under most environmental conditions a satisfactory in relation to the respective price performance ratio satisfactory result in terms of roof cleaning reliably and for a long time is achieved, developments have become known lately, the effect was limited, for example, a voltage-assisted roof cleaning system according to DE 10 2004 036 979 A1 , In this case, two copper plates are separated by a thin gap and galvanically coupled together when rainwater penetrates into the gap. However, in order to keep the water in the gap for a certain time, it is necessary that the thickness of the gap remains in the range of the capillary action, ie at most a few tenths of a millimeter. However, the gap is too thin to achieve a flow, because the water in the gap generates such a dynamic pressure that the following water flows over the outer of the two copper layers. In addition, it comes with the usual temperature fluctuations on rooftops quickly to a material delay, which inevitably leads to short circuit of the plant due to the small gap thickness. Even if no material distortion should occur, the material removed from the copper plate forming the positive pole is not deposited as homogeneously as there on the negative pole, so that, over time, material builds up on the copper plate forming the negative pole, and thus inevitably over time for short circuit of the plant.

Another roof cleaning device is in the US 3,566,832 which comprises a housing in which a chemical is housed, for example a metal oxide, or a bleaching agent, which gradually dissolves under the influence of moisture and exits through the perforation of the housing.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention, a cleaning device exposed to the weather surfaces; such as to create roofs with which the achievable cleaning effect acts more independent of the environmental conditions at the respective site of use of the cleaning device.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the cleaning device contains not only a reaction material which, in interaction with natural moisture, has a fungicidal or antibacterial and soil-removing effect, but also a Sulfur material with which the reaction material can react to form a sulfate compound, for example a metal sulfate or sulfide.

For, as the inventor has recognized, the antibacterial, fungicidal and soil-removing action of reaction materials of the type described in the preamble of claim 1 is based on the fact that natural moisture is presently contained due to air pollution and the like sulfur - as is the case with the public discussion of acid Rain well known- and this sulfur is in the form of an acidic solution, which reaction materials of the generic type such as copper, zinc or the like. attacks and reacts with them to copper sulfate, which is a highly toxic plant poison, bactericide and fungicide.

In areas where the natural moisture but has a lower sulfur content, such as in coastal areas, the roof cleaning triggering reaction comes in classic roof cleaning devices of the type described above, therefore slow to get going and remains behind in terms of their cleaning power behind the set goals. Since the cleaning device additionally emits a sulfur material in the manner according to the invention, which can react with the reaction material to form a sulfate compound or a metal sulfate, it is possible to provide sufficient roof cleaning even in such areas for an appropriate cleaning power and duration of cleaning. Even in areas with high sulfur pollution in the precipitation of the natural sulfur of the cleaning device advantageously leads to a faster and more sustainable roof cleaning. In addition, the self-sulfur content makes the cleaning device according to the invention can also be used in areas where fall only very limited rainfall and therefore the natural, che moisture must be optimally utilized for the roof cleaning.

It should be noted that in addition to or as an alternative to the sulfur material within the scope of the invention, any further additional material can be used, which under the influence of moisture with the reaction material of the generic type, so for example a copper and / or zinc material forms surface-cleaning compounds, so a fungicide, bactericide, plant poison, an acid or alkali.

The reaction material as well as the sulfur material is contained in the cleaning device so that it is released gradually over time, i. that the cleaning effect over a period of years or decades is achieved, so that the reaction material and the sulfur material is not immediately washed out by acting moisture completely, but only in tracks, but is continuously released under the influence of moisture. The sulfur material may also be such that it reacts with the reaction material to form a sulfide compound, since sulfide compounds convert into sulfate compounds under the influence of moisture.

Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims. In the context of the invention, it is possible to use all claimed features in any seemingly meaningful combination.

In the construction of the cleaning device according to the invention and in the selection of the reaction material and the sulfur material, its physical state and its presence in elemental form, as a compound or as a mixture can be varied within the scope of the invention, as long as the effects described above are achieved.

For example, a cleaning device could have multiple layers of copper or zinc sheet, between which the sulfur material is arranged. In this case, the sulfur material could, for example, consist of a pulverized, sulfur-containing mineral or elemental sulfur, which is connected by means of a binder to a layer, which can be arranged in each case between two of the sheets. It may be sufficient if at the edges of the sheets, the moisture acts on the filled with the sulfur material columns to wash out enough sulfur material and reaction material from the cleaning device to achieve the roof cleaning effect. However, it would also be conceivable to make the sulfur material layer water-permeable with suitable measures, for example by the sulfur material is sintered with a suitable binder, so that the moisture can penetrate into the sinter pores of the sulfur material layer. It would also be conceivable to foam the gap with the sulfur material. Furthermore, it would be conceivable not to fill the entire gap between the copper layers, but to release channels into which the moisture can penetrate, so as to increase the moisture wettable surface. Furthermore, it would be conceivable to provide the copper sheets and / or the sulfur material layer with holes or a perforation, so that the moisture can wet the layer of sulfur material on a larger surface. It would also be conceivable, the sulfur material as a container, knitted fabric, braid or the like. to introduce between the copper sheets, so that water can run between the sulfur material threads, or such a nonwoven, container, knitted fabric, braid or the like. from a preferably absorbent carrier material or from the reaction material and with a paste, a varnish or the like. which is sulfur-containing.

Furthermore, it would be conceivable, for example, the cleaning device completely as a container, knitted fabric, braid or the like. of reaction material filaments, for example copper filaments or the like and a paste applied thereto, lacquer or the like. to produce from the sulfur material. The provided with the paste container, knitted fabric, braid or the like. could also be housed in a housing, which in turn may consist of a carrier material, the reaction material or the sulfur material.

Furthermore, it would be conceivable to produce a housing from the reaction material, that is to say, for example, from copper sheets provided with a suitable perforation, which is filled with the sulfur material in the form of crystalline or mineral chunks.

In addition, the cleaning device could also consist of a material carrier which simultaneously contains the sulfur material and the reaction material. For example, a sheet of a copper-sulfur alloy or an alloy containing, among other components, copper and / or zinc components and sulfur material could be mounted on the roof. But just as well, this sheet could be used to make the case, which is filled with the sulfur material, or the sheet metal layers, between which the sulfur material is arranged. In such a housing, or between such sheets not only sulfur material may be arranged, but in addition also copper material or a both sulfur and reaction material containing material, such as a sulfur-containing copper ore in ground and provided with binder form, metal or Copper or zinc shavings and sulfur powder embedded in binder or glued or sintered together, one provided with a sulfur-containing coating copper knitted fabric, or the like. It would also be conceivable to provide a receptacle made of a non-reactive carrier material, that is to say a housing or two metal sheets between which a layer of material can be arranged, which is filled with a material which contains both reaction metal or copper and also sulfur material , Thus, for example, in a plastic housing, which is perforated in a suitable manner, a comminuted suitable for washing, sulfur-containing copper ore may be introduced. Furthermore, it would be conceivable to introduce, for example, a sintered body between two suitably perforated plastic films, in which sulfur-containing and copper-containing proportions of material are sintered.

It would also be conceivable to produce the cleaning device from a copper sheet, in which sulfur impurities are trapped.

Preference is given to a cleaning device which contains a total of at least 0.6 weight percent sulfur. Experiments have shown results from this threshold. However, the cleaning effect of the cleaning device according to the invention is particularly rapid when the sulfur content is increased to more than 5 percent by weight, for example over 25 percent by weight.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device could be provided with a sprinkler, with which the or mounted on the roof body can be sprinkled with a liquid. The cleaning device becomes even more independent of the weather in this way, so that the cleaning effect can be achieved even during long periods of drought and / or in areas with a dry climate. In this context At least some of the sulfur material could also be present in a liquid state, for example as a sulfur-containing solution in a tank, which is applied with the sprinkler to the body (s) mounted on the roof, such as plates made of sheet copper. It would also be conceivable to throw out a solution containing reaction material and sulfur onto the body mounted on the roof, wherein the bodies mounted on the roof can contain not only reaction material but also sulfur material, as for example in the embodiments described above. Under certain circumstances, it would even be possible to inject a solution containing sulfur and / or sulfur copper into a sintered body or to gas the sintered body with a sulfur-containing gas before it is made part of a cleaning device mounted on the roof or the surface exposed to the weather ,

It goes without saying that the cleaning device according to the invention as Dachfirstelement for attachment to a roof ridge, as a tile element for attachment from a roof tile, as well as a plurality of these elements, an optional sprinkler for it and an optional tank can exist. It would also be conceivable that the cleaning device consists of cleaning elements, which consist of a different material. For example, a layer of copper sheet and a layer of a sulfur material carrier could be arranged alternately in a shingled position next to one another across a roof.

The advantages that can be achieved with the cleaning devices known from the inventions of the inventor can be further improved if these cleaning devices, which are known in principle, are equipped with the sulfur material or the sulfur material carrier.

Figur 1

eine Reinigungsvorrichtung für einen Dachfirstziegel im Längsschnitt;

Figur 2

eine Reinigungsvorrichtung zum Aufbringen auf einen Dachziegel im Längsschnitt und

Figur 3

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung im Längsschnitt.

In connection with the figures is therefore explained how existing cleaning devices of the inventor are developed according to the invention. Show it:

FIG. 1

a cleaning device for a roof ridge tile in longitudinal section;

FIG. 2

a cleaning device for application to a roof tile in longitudinal section and

FIG. 3

a further embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention in longitudinal section.

First, reference is made to the FIG. 1 , which shows a cleaning device according to the invention for placement on a roof ridge tile 3. The cleaning device has four layers of copper sheet 1.1 to 1.4, which largely cover the ridge tile 3 on the top, each layer extending over both sides of the ridge tile. The individual layers in this case have punched bulges, which act as spacers between the individual layers. At the bottom of the respective layers beads 8 are tilted against which the respective overlying layer can be supported with its longitudinal side. Due to the shape of the individual copper sheet layers with the punched bulges of the knobs or holes as spacers gaps 14 are generated between the layers, in which find sintered body 7 made of a sulfur-containing sintered material. Via openings 6 and preferably also via a perforation of the copper sheet layers rain and / or condensation can penetrate into the interstices between the layers. There, the surface of the copper sheets 1.1 to 1.4 thus wetted, but also the surface of the sintered body 7, so that for the desired copper sulfate always sufficient starting materials can be washed out.

The FIG. 2 shows a cleaning device in principle of the same design for attachment to a flat tile 9, which is also formed four-ply. In this case, between the bottom copper sheet layer 1.1 and the overlying copper sheet layer 1.2, a web 17 of an absorbent material, which is coated with a sulfur-containing paste, fed. Thus, while in the interstices 14 between the three upper layers of the penetrating moisture, or the sulfur contained therein copper from the surfaces of the copper sheet metal 1.2 to 1.4 washes and binds to copper sulfate, which is in the gap 14 between the bottom layer 1.1 and the above lying lying 1.2 rainwater penetrating from the web 17 and thus stored there over a longer period. In addition to that in the Natural rainwater present sulfur caused leaching of copper from the surfaces of the copper sheet layers 1.1 and 1.2 here still applies that the sulfur-containing paste, which is provided with the web 17, emits additional sulfur under the influence of moisture, so that there is an increased copper sulfate.

At this point it should be mentioned that, of course, in the other intermediate spaces, such a web 17 may be introduced.

The in the Figures 1 and 2 Embodiments shown are developments of the invention in their own European Patent EP 1 389 659 B1 in FIG. 1 and 3 described multi-layer cleaning device. It goes without saying that the other cleaning devices shown, described and claimed there according to the invention can be provided with the sulfur material according to the invention. Likewise it would be conceivable that in connection with FIG. 2 said fleece to be provided with a paint with bound sulfur or in connection with Fig. 1 said sintered body with Schwefelgaseinpressungen slowly evaporate. Furthermore, multi-layer cleaning devices with mutually movable layers according to the invention could be provided with sulfur material. Such multi-layer cleaning devices with movable layers are, for example, in the own German patent DE 103 52839 B3 shown, described and claimed.

Finally shows Fig. 3 a further development of the invention in one's own German utility model DE 203 21144 21 in Fig. 3 shown cleaning device. This cleaning device has a tube made of copper threads 8, which is constructed similar to the braid shield of an electric cable. This tube of copper threads 8, which extends ideally over the entire length of the roof ridge, is fastened with retaining clips 9 on the roof. The retaining clips 9 have an annular opening 9.a, in which the tube of copper threads 8 is inserted. In the tube of copper threads 8 while a cross-sectionally annular or cylindrical, sulfur-containing sulfur material carrier is added.

In this case, a sintered body with sintered-in sulfur material, a body made of a sulfur-containing alloy, etc., is again suitable as a sulfur material carrier, wherein the copper braid could also be coated with sulfur material. In the same way, the others in the DE 203 21 144 described, shown and claimed embodiments are further developed according to the invention.

Of course, deviations and modifications of the illustrated embodiments are possible without departing from the name of the invention.

Thus it would be possible, for example, to use zinc sheets or zinc threads instead of copper sheets or threads.

Claims (20)

1. Cleaning apparatus for surfaces exposed to the weather, in particular roofs, which comprises at least a reaction material which cooperates with natural moisture to produce surface-cleaning compounds which kill bacteria, algae, fungi and/or lichens or at least inhibit their growth and/or remove environmental dirt, wherein the reaction material is present in the cleaning apparatus such that the reaction material is gradually in the course of time delivered over the surface which is exposed to the weather, characterized in that the cleaning apparatus contains sulphur material with which reaction material can react to form a surface-cleaning sulphate compound, the cleaning apparatus containing the sulphur material such that the sulphur material is delivered gradually in the course of time over the surface which is exposed to the weather.
2. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reaction material is an elemental reaction metal, and/or is a compound which contains the reaction metal, and/or is a composition of matter containing the reaction metal and/or the reaction metal compound, wherein the reaction metal is preferably copper and/or zinc, and the sulphur material is elemental sulphur and/or a sulphide, sulphite, sulphate, sulphoxide and/or organosulphur compound and/or a composition of matter containing the sulphur or the sulphur compound.
3. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there is provided at least one reaction material carrier, which contains the reaction material, and at least one sulphur material carrier, which contains the sulphur material, wherein the cleaning apparatus contains sufficient sulphur material that all reaction material carriers and sulphur material carriers together contain at least 0.6% by weight of sulphur, in particular at least 5% by weight of sulphur, for example at least 25% of sulphur.
4. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that there is provided at least one reaction material carrier, which contains the reaction material, and at least one sulphur material carrier, which contains the sulphur material, wherein at least one of the reaction material carriers and at least one of the sulphur material carriers is both a reaction material and a sulphur material carrier, which contains both a fraction of reaction material and a fraction of sulphur.
5. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sulphur in at least one of the sulphur material carriers is present therein in a solid state, in particular as alloy constituent or inclusion, as salt or mineral, for example pure or as sulphide ore.
6. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the sulphur material carriers contains at least a fraction of an alloy which contains a fraction of reaction material and a fraction of sulphur, such as for example niello, or a copper-sulphur alloy, such as for example CuSP, or a copper material having sulphur-containing inclusions.
7. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one of the sulphur material carriers contains at least a fraction of a mineral which contains a fraction of reaction material and a fraction of sulphur, for example a copper ore.
8. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the sulphur material carriers contains at least a fraction of a salt which contains a fraction of reaction material and a fraction of sulphur, such as for example copper sulphate.
9. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the sulphur material carriers contains sulphur in a liquid state, in particular a sulphurous solution, for example a sulphuric acid solution or a solution rendered acidic with sulphuric acid.
10. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized in that at least one sulphur material carrier contains at least a fraction of a solution which contains a fraction of copper and a fraction of sulphur, in particular a copper sulphide, copper polysulphide or a copper hydroxide-sulphuric acid solution.
11. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sulphur material carrier is present in a gaseous aggregate state.
12. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 11, characterized in that at least one of the sulphur material carriers includes a carrier material as well as the sulphur material.
13. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 12, characterized in that the carrier material is a wrapped, woven, loop-drawingly knitted, staple, loop-formingly knitted, braided or nonwoven structure and the sulphur material is applied in paste form for example.
14. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the carrier material is a structural component sintered, rolled, stamped or pressed into shape and for example the sulphur material is sandwiched between two plies of the carrier material or accommodated in a housing composed of the carrier material and the carrier material has a stippled and/or perforated surface or is for example enclosed in sintered pores of the carrier material.
15. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the carrier material is a binder with which the sulphur material is bonded together in a shape-conferring manner and for example the sulphur material is adhered together with the binder to form a plate.
16. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the carrier material is at least one of the reaction material carriers and is in particular of sheet metal, preferably of copper sheet or foil, more preferably of a sheet of plumber's copper.
17. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the reaction material carriers includes a carrier material as well as the reaction material.
18. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 17, characterized in that the carrier material carries at least a portion of the reaction material and a portion of the sulphur material.
19. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the sulphur material is bonded to the carrier material by welding, adhering or riveting with or without an extraneous rivet.
20. Cleaning apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is provided a tank for accommodating a liquid and an irrigation apparatus for applying the liquid to the reaction material carrier, the liquid preferably being the sulphur material carrier according to Claim 9 or 10.

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