Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
  • E04F21/02—Implements for finishing work on buildings for applying plasticised masses to surfaces, e.g. plastering walls
  • E04F21/16—Implements for after-treatment of plaster or the like before it has hardened or dried, e.g. smoothing-tools, profile trowels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
  • B05C17/10—Hand tools for removing partially or for spreading or redistributing applied liquids or other fluent materials, e.g. colour touchers
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
  • E04F21/20—Implements for finishing work on buildings for laying flooring
  • E04F21/24—Implements for finishing work on buildings for laying flooring of masses made in situ, e.g. smoothing tools
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
  • B05C17/002—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces with feed system for supplying material from an external source; Supply controls therefor

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an applicator system, particularly an application head, configured for applying a coating or film to a substrate surface such as a floor.
• a coating composition is applied to the floor to protect it from scuff marks, scratches, dirt, grease, and other contaminants.
• the coating is preferably applied as a smooth, uniform layer over the floor.
• the present disclosure provides an applicator system, particularly an application head, useful for applying a chemical coating composition onto a surface, such as a floor.
• the application head of the present disclosure is particularly suited for applying a consistent thin coating, such as less than 5 mil thick, on the surface, following the gross contours of the surface.
• Various embodiments of application heads are also provided, as are methods of using the application heads.
• the application heads of this disclosure are particularly suited for applying two- component or two-part coating compositions, such as a coating composition that includes a water dispersible polyisocyanate component combined with a cyclic diol hard segment component.
• a coating composition that includes a water dispersible polyisocyanate component combined with a cyclic diol hard segment component.
• cyclohexanedimethanol is the preferred cyclic diol hard segment, and which could be 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.
• some embodiments of the application heads are particularly suited for applying coating compositions with high solids levels, such as greater than 40 wt-%.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user using an applicator system of the present disclosure
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the applicator system of FIG. 1, particularly, an applicator device
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the applicator device of FIG. 2, particularly, an application head;
• FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of an application head suitable for use with the system of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 6 is an end view of the application head of FIG. 5;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an applicator of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 9 is a side view of the applicator of FIG. 8;
• FIG. 10 is a front view of the applicator of FIG. 8;
• FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 11;
• FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 11;
• the present disclosure provides an application head suitable for spreading and smoothing a coating composition on a surface, such as a floor.
• the application head can be part of an applicator device, which typically includes a handle or other connection which allows proper positioning of the application head in relation to the surface being coated.
• the applicator device, with the application head can be part of a larger applicator system, which includes a source of the coating composition.
• a system for applying the coating composition to a surface, such as a floor is illustrated. Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a user with an exemplary coating applicator system 10 applying a liquid coating composition onto floor 15.
• application head 35 has a body 40 with a first end 4OA and an opposite second end 4OB, and a width therebetween.
• the width of application head 35 typically is at least 9 inches (about 23 cm) and is usually no more than about 36 inches (about 91 cm).
• the width of application head 35 is about 12 inches (about 30.5 cm) to about 24 inches (about 61 cm). It should be appreciated that in other alternative embodiments the size of the application head can vary even outside of dimensions provided above.
• Body 40 in this embodiment, can be described as having been formed from a sheet of material that has been formed as desired; body 40 can be generally described as having an open construction.
• Body 40 includes a first portion 43 for connecting to handle 32 and a second portion 45 which is configured for application of the liquid composition onto floor 15. Present between first portion 43 and second portion 45 is a transition portion 44.
• body 40 is deformable or flexible, as will be further discussed below.
• the second portion 45 is shown with an outer surface 50 and an inner surface 52, and an arcuate shape terminating at tip 55. The length of the arcuate shape may be defined by one radius or may have a different definition.
• the overall height of application head 35 in this embodiment the distance between the farthest-most-point on first portion 43 and second portion 45, designated as "Y", is at least about 2 inches (about 5 cm) and is no more than about 12 inches (about 30.5 cm). In some embodiments, height Y is about 3 inches (about 7.5 cm) to about 6 inches (about 15 cm), and in one embodiment, is 3.26 inches (about 8.3 cm).
• Second portion 45 includes a contact area 60 on outer surface 50.
• Contact area 60 extends from first end 4OA to second end 4OB in the longitudinal direction of second portion 45, which is the direction between tip 55 and where second portion 45 meets with transition portion 44. Stated another way, in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the width of application head 35. In some embodiments, including the illustrated application head 35, contact area 60 includes the area that is the farthest-most- point from first portion 43.
• contact area 60 is fairly narrow in the longitudinal direction, merely being a tangential line across body from first end 4OA to second end 4OB.
• body 40 and particularly second portion 45 is deformable and/or flexible when a force is applied to body 40 at first portion 43. As second portion 45 flexes and/or deforms, contact area 60 increases, due to the flattening of second portion 45 against floor 15 or other surface.
• body 40 is sufficiently flexible so that the length of contact area 60, in the longitudinal direction, is at least about 0.25 inch (about 0.6 cm) and is no more than about 2 inches (about 5 cm).
• contact area 60 has a length in the longitudinal direction of about 0.75 inch (about 2 cm) to about 1.25 inches (about 3 cm), with a contact area 60 length of about 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) being particularly preferred for some embodiments.
• second portion 45 has a smooth radius in the longitudinal direction on outer surface 50.
• surface 50 along the longitudinal length is uniform.
• outer surface 50 of second portion 45 in this embodiment, has a smooth surface, with no angles, ribs, grooves, or other surface features. It should be appreciated that other embodiments may include angles, ribs, grooves, flats, or other features.
• body 40 is additionally or alternately sufficiently flexible along its width, from end 4OA to end 4OB, to allow application head 35 to follow the gross contours of the surface being coated.
• head 35 is sufficiently flexible along its width to follow undulations, dips, grooves, or other features in the surface that remove the surface from being planar.
• application head 35 could be used on a surface that has a large dip, for example, a dip that is 0.5 inch (about 1.25 cm) deep and 10 inches (about 25 cm) wide.
• a 12 inch (about 30 cm) wide head 35 could be sufficiently flexible so that second portion 45 maintains contact with that surface along the width of head 35.
• the amount of flexibility and deformation of application head 35 depends on the material of body 40, the configuration of body 40, and the shape and size of the surface feature.
• Application head 35 can be used in conjunction with an applicator pad positioned on the second portion 45.
• suitable pads which are generally well known for applicator systems, include microf ⁇ ber pads, fleece, and foam.
• application head 35 with or without a pad, provides a smooth surface appearance and avoids an Orange peel' look in the applied coating.
• first portion 43 and transition portion 44 other than their ability to deform second portion 45, generally does not affect the functioning of second portion 45.
• First portion 43 and transition portion 44 are configured so that when in use, contact area 60 contacts the surface being coated.
• first portion 43 has a length of about 0.73 inch (about 1.85 cm), and the transition regions are arcuate with a radius of about 0.25 inch (about 0.6 cm).
• FIGS. 5 through 7 A second embodiment of an application head for use with an applicator device and optionally an applicator system is illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7 as application head 75.
• application head 75 has a body 80 with a first end 80A and an opposite second end 80B, and a width therebetween.
• the width of application head 75 is typically similar to the width of application head 35, described above.
• Body 80 includes a first portion 83, e.g., for connecting to handle 32, and a second portion 85 which is configured for application of the liquid composition onto floor 15.
• first portion 83 meets second portion 85 without a transition portion therebetween.
• Body 80 at least from the end view of FIG. 6, is a solid construction.
• Body 80 may, in some instances, be sufficiently flexible in the longitudinal direction to follow contours of floor 15.
• body 80 is solid throughout from end 80A to end 80B.
• Second portion 85 has an arcuate shape that terminates at both ends at first portion 83.
• second portion 85 is 180 degrees and is defined by a single radius.
• second portion 85 has a diameter of about 0.5 inch (about 1.25 cm), which also is the overall height of application head 75.
• Second portion 85 in the longitudinal direction, is smooth, with no angles or flat portions. Along its width, however, second portion 85, in this embodiment, is toothed or serrated in a regular pattern by a plurality of spaced protrusions 90, to provide a row of spaced gaps therebetween. Protrusion 90 may be integral with second portion 85, or may be attached thereto.
• protrusion 90 could be molded simultaneously with second portion 85.
• protrusion 90 could be a wire or other filament that is applied (e.g., wrapped) onto second portion 85.
• Each protrusion 90 has a tip 95 that is furthest-most portion from the surface of second portion 85. See FIG. 7, which is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 5.
• Tip 95 may be a rounded tip, be a point, or have a flat surface.
• Protrusion 90 may be tapered from tip 95 to the surface of second portion 85.
• Protrusions 90 are preferably spaced across second portion 85 from end 8OA to end 80B, preferably have a uniform size, and are preferably uniformly spaced.
• protrusion 90 is typically at least 0.0004 inch (about 0.01 mm) tall and no more than 0.4 inch (about 10 mm) tall. In some embodiments, protrusion 90 is at least 0.004 inch (about 0.1 mm) tall and no more than about 0.2 inch (about 5 mm) tall, and in other embodiments, protrusion 90 is about 0.008 inch (about 0.2 mm) tall to about 0.08 inch (about 2 mm) tall. It should be appreciated that in other alternative embodiments the size of the protrusion can vary even outside of dimensions provided above.
• tip 95 extends from the surface of second portion 85 about 0.004 inch (about 0.1 mm) and has a radius of about 0.001 inch (about 0.02 mm).
• Adjacent protrusions 90 are spaced about 0.4 inch (about 10 mm) apart.
• tip 95 extends from the surface of second portion 85 about 0.025 inch (about 0.63 mm) and adjacent protrusions 90 are spaced about 0.05 inch (about 1.27 mm) apart.
• Protrusions 90 facilitate in controlling the depth or thickness of the coating being applied to a surface. In use, protrusions 90 contact the surface being coated, thus preferably allowing a coating thickness of no more than the distance between tip 95 and the surface of second portion 85. In most embodiments, the composition being coated is sufficiently flowable that it will spread over and engulf any uncoated areas left by protrusions 90. The resulting coating has a smooth surface, typically without the Orange peel' appearance.
• body 80 is sufficiently flexible along its width, from end 80A to end 80B, to allow application head 75 to follow and mold to the gross contours of the surface being coated and provide a constant thickness coating.
• head 75 is sufficiently flexible along its width to follow undulations, dips, grooves, or other features in the surface that remove the surface from being planar.
• application head 75 is sufficiently flexible within its width to accommodate uneven surfaces, in some embodiments as much as 2-3 mm from level, such as, for example, adjacent uneven tiles.
• body 80 is sufficiently flexible along its width to bend at least 1 cm, from end 8OA to end 8OB, often at least 2 cm, and provide a constant thickness coating.
• application head 75 could be used on a surface that has a large dip, for example, 0.1 inch (about 2.5 mm) deep and 10 inches (about 25 cm) wide. A 12 inch (about 30 cm) wide head 75 could be sufficiently flexible so that protrusions 90 maintain contact with that surface along the width of head 75.
• the amount of flexibility and deformation of application head 75 depends on the material of body 80, the configuration of body 80, the height of protrusions 90, and the shape and size of the surface feature.
• the curved end profile of the applicator 106 is convex relative to a surface to be coated.
• the applicator includes a grooved contact surface 110 that is configured to contact the surface to be coated.
• the grooves in the depicted embodiment are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the width Wi of the applicator head 102. It should be appreciated that other groove arrangements are also possible. Referring to FIG. 11, a groove profile with triangular shaped grooves is shown.
• the grooves are U-shaped and the raised portions are domed shaped.
• the U-shaped grooves have a height h 3 of between about .01-.05 inches and the groove has a width t 6 of between about 0.02-0.03 inches.
• the width ts of the raised portion is between about 0.02-0.03 and the distance S 3 from the center of one raised portion to the next is between about 0.01-0.1 inches.
• FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the grooved contact surface that is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.
• the grooves have a height h 4 of between about .01-.05 inches and the groove has a width of U of between about 0.02-0.03 inches.
• the width t 3 of the raised portion is between about 0.02-0.03 inches and the distance S 4 from the center of one raised portion to the next is between about .01-0.1 inches. It should be appreciated that many other alternative embodiments of the grooved contact surface are possible including combinations of the above depicted groove arrangements as well as non-depicted groove contact surface arrangements.
• FIGS. 15A-15E a number of end profiles are shown. Each of the depicted end profiles are curved and are convex when viewed from below.
• the embodiment shown in FIG. 15A includes a generally consistent curve wherein the curve can be described as having a radius of curvature Ri of about .1875 inches.
• the embodiment shown in FIG. 15B includes end portions that have similar curvatures, but a middle portion that is less curved than either end portion.
• the embodiment shown in FIG. 15C includes end portions and a middle portion that each have different curvatures. In the depicted embodiment the portion of one of the ends and the middle is almost straight, but the overall shape of the end profile is convex. Referring to FIG.
• the application head of some embodiments is suited for applying a composition, such as a reactive composition, onto a surface, such as floor 15 of FIG. 1.
• a composition such as a reactive composition
• Some embodiments of the application head are suited for application of compositions having high solids levels, such as at least 40 wt-% solids.
• Some embodiments of the application head are suited for application of compositions having a dynamic viscosity of less or equal to about 25,000 centipoise.
• Application head 35, 75, 106 can be used in system 10, which includes composition retainer 20 and applicator device 30. It should be appreciated that in other alternative embodiments, the application heads can be configured to be suited for compositions having less solid by weight and/or greater dynamic viscosity.
• a preferred coating applicator system 10 for use with heads 35, 75, 106 includes a multi-compartment plastic bag or pouch, to separate individual components, which has internal seals that are readily and controllably rupturable. To mix the individual components, the internal divider between the pouches is ruptured and the individual components are mixed, for example, by kneading. The mixed components are dispensed from the pouch as a reactive composition.
• the composition Upon dispensing from retainer 20, the composition is easy to apply to a surface, such as a floor.
• the surface can be generally any material, such as vinyl, linoleum, ceramic, wood, marble, and the like.
• Application head 35, 75, 106 provides suitable coatings on smooth surfaces as well as porous or other surfaces having a texture.
• Application head 35, 75, 106 With application head 35, 75, 106, the reactive coating is easy to apply and forms a thin, easily managed coating with minimal streaks, grooves, or other surface imperfections. In some situations only one pass with application head 35, 75, 106 is needed to obtain a smooth and even coating.
• Application head 35, 75, 106 is especially suited for applying a coating at a thickness of usually no more than about 5 mil (about 127 micrometers). In some embodiments, depending on the composition and the surface being coating, the applied coating is about 2 mil (about 51 micrometers), or even about 1 mil
• compositions having high solids levels such as greater than 40 wt-%, or even greater than 50 wt-%, can be readily applied with application head
• Application head 35, 75, 106 is able to provide a thin, consistent coating, with high solids levels, over uneven surfaces.
• a reactive coating composition for spreading and/or coating with application head 35, 75, 106 is a waterbased two-part polyurethane finish composition formed from a two-part or two-component system.
• a reactive composition can include a water dispersible polyisocyanate component combined with a cyclic diol hard segment component, such as cyclohexanedimethanol.
• a preferred cyclohexanedimethanol for some compositions, is 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. Additional details regarding such composition formed from a water dispersible polyisocyanate component and a cyclic diol hard segment are disclosed in co-pending patent application having attorney docket no. 62026US002 (application number 11/423061) the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
• waterbased two-part polyurethane finish composition and the various features thereof that have been described herein and in co- pending patent application having attorney docket no. 62026US002 (application number 11/423061) are only examples of suitable compositions for application by the application head, applicator devices and applicator systems of the present disclosure. Other compositions can also be applied.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Coating Apparatus (AREA)
• Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
• Floor Finish (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=38564448

Family Applications (1)

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Citations (5)

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• 2007
  • 2007-06-04 MX MX2008015596A patent/MX2008015596A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2007-06-04 CN CNA2007800208493A patent/CN101460689A/zh active Pending
  • 2007-06-04 KR KR1020087029561A patent/KR20090026272A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2007-06-04 BR BRPI0711494-0A patent/BRPI0711494A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-06-04 CA CA002654227A patent/CA2654227A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-06-04 JP JP2009514486A patent/JP2009539585A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-06-04 WO PCT/US2007/070310 patent/WO2007146635A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2007-06-04 EP EP07798060A patent/EP2032776A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-06-04 US US12/303,308 patent/US20100275401A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-06-07 TW TW096120571A patent/TW200809062A/zh unknown

Patent Citations (5)

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