EP3091142B1 - Apparatus for applying a liquid resurfacing product - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for applying a liquid soil leveling product.

Background of the invention

Two techniques are known, both manual, for applying and distributing on the ground a patching product in essentially liquid form.

According to the first technique, the operator works on his knees. This method is mostly used for several decades. The operator pours on the ground about ten kg of product from a can in which a few tens of kg of product have been prepared, usually by mixing a powdery product with water.

Then the operator, in kneeling position, spreads the product by a movement back and forth with the aid of a buncher or a smooth, held at arm's length.

This results in a very heavy workload generating a loss of productivity over the hours. In addition, the movements back and forth often leave the defect of a wave effect that remains after the drying of the product.

For the operator, in addition to the immediate physical fatigue, the severe pain is manifested by the appearance of muscular and articular pain evolving in more or less long term musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the knees, arms, shoulders and back.

The second known technique is implemented while the operator is in a standing position. This technique, very little used by the entire profession, is only a limited use alternative. It is implemented using an adjustable or interchangeable blade spatula provided with pins. The document FR 2 453 962 A1 give an example of such a device. Alternatively, it is known to provide skids or teeth sized to leave on the ground the desired amount of product.

Also known, for standing use, a device comprising a set of rollers assembled in the axis of each other, spacer washers between the rollers, of greater diameter than that of the rollers, for spacing from the ground the surface of rollers and leave only the desired product thickness on the floor.

These different devices are installed at the end of a handle to allow their standing use. But these tools are not very effective in use. Indeed remains necessary to switch a heavy can to pour the product, and then must scrape a large amount of product during the first movements.

Moreover, with a device of the type described in FR 2 453 962 A1 scraping rough edges of the rough soil causes bursts of the tool and spreading defects, requiring recovery and repetition of movement, demanding for the operator. Finally, when this problem occurs near a wall, it is splashed. Thus product application near baseboards without staining is almost impossible, and this device is unsuitable for partitioned housing and other types.

The roller device has the same disadvantages, with the exception of bursts due to the unevenness of the ground. However, the spreading movements of the product are made delicate by the fact that the roll can roll only in a direction perpendicular to its axis; it is therefore difficult to contain and guide the product in the desired direction and it overflows on both sides of the roll, forcing incessant occasions. To make these occasions, it is necessary to lift the roller arm to bring back the excess product which is very demanding for the operator. In addition, the weight of the roll being consequent, the fact of falling back into the surplus product may splash a wall or partition located nearby.

Finally another useful technique to mention is a standing technique with a mechanical pump, for example of the type described in the document FR 2 671 754 A1 . This technique is supposed to eliminate the problems of manual work, namely mainly operator fatigue, appearance defects and lack of cleanliness of the work done. But many disadvantages appear: high cost of the machine, heavy weight of the machine (nearly 100 kg), transport and size of the machine, need for assembly / disassembly and especially cleaning at the end of use, particularly tedious operations but essential (poor cleaning causing subsequent malfunctions).

On-site installation can also be particularly difficult in case of muddy access, presence of trenches, congested passages, stairs, etc.).

Finally, the use of the machine requires a reliable power supply (often uncertain on site) because the inadvertent shutdown quickly causes clogging. It is the same in case of water cut, except to provide a reserve buffer in a can to postpone the work stoppage or initiate a cleaning procedure procedure in a hurry.

It should also be noted that the work must be carried out by at least three operators, a first feeding the machine powder, a second holding the product pouring nozzle above the ground, and a third moving as the progress the heavy hose filled with product.

Finally, the presumed advantage of a high efficiency is not systematically observed, since a large surface area must generally be shared with the other state bodies operating on the site. Thus, for example, an area of 1000 m2 is often treated in 2 to 4 sectors patched one after the other, thus ruining the interest of the use of the machine.

That is why this machine is rarely used, and tends to disappear from the catalogs of manufacturers and resellers of tools.

We also know by US 6,260,743 B1 an applicator device for tile joints in which nozzles are individually fed by flexible tubes from an endless screw combined with a shutter. The principle of displacement and distribution of this document, by the nature of its application, makes it however unsuitable for a patching application.

The document FR 2 244 893 A describes an applicator device guided on a well-defined path using parallel wheels. In addition the distribution device, consisting of a single slot, is located entirely in the vertical grip of the device.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is to propose an apparatus for placing a patching product which enables an operator to work standing without fatigue, which is economical, simple, light, compact, autonomous (not requiring a power supply). with the exception of feeding a possible mixing device), easily cleaned 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 an application of regular patching product while being able to easily move the device and being able to visually control the application.

Thus, according to the invention, an apparatus is proposed for the application to the ground of a patching compound 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

• La Figure 1 est une vue en élévation de côté, schématique, d'un appareil selon un exemple de réalisation préféré de l'invention,
• La Figure 2 est une vue à échelle agrandie, en élévation de côté et partiellement en coupe, d'une région inférieure de l'appareil de la Figure 1,
• La Figure 3 est une vue en coupe de la région inférieure de l'appareil selon une variante de réalisation de l'invention, et
• La Figure 4 est une vue en section transversale selon la ligne IV-IV de la Figure 3.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings. on which ones :

• The Figure 1 is a schematic side elevational view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
• The Figure 2 is an enlarged view, in side elevation and partly in section, of a lower region of the apparatus of the Figure 1 ,
• The Figure 3 is a sectional view of the lower region of the apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and
• The Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of the Figure 3 .

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

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

The bottom wall 110 of the container is pierced with an orifice 112, for example with a diameter of 40 to 60 mm, for the communication of the interior of the container with a device 300 for distributing patching product via a bend 200 to 90 °.

This elbow made for example by PVC injection comprises a vertical portion 210 extending the orifice 112 downwards and provided at its upper end with a flange 212 extending into the inner space 120 of the barrel and by which the elbow is fixed to the shank (for example by gluing, or by means of a clamping nut screwing from below, etc.) and by which it is fixed in said opening, a bend part 220 and a horizontal part 230.

Inside the flange 212 is provided a flexible annular flat gasket 250, for example elastomer, intended to cooperate with a closure valve that will be described below. It is fixed here by peripheral embedding in the material of the collar.

The apparatus further comprises an intermediate cylindrical sleeve 400 installed between the bend 200 and the dispensing device 300, sleeve whose function is to allow instant disassembly of the dispensing device 300 for example for cleaning during work. The sleeve 400 is fixed for example by fitting fitted to the horizontal portion 230 of the bend 200.

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

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

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

Between its two ends, the tube is pierced by a series of lights 320 facing downwards and intended for the passage of the patching product for spreading as will be seen in the following. The lumens have a diameter of approximately 6 to 10 mm (determined in particular as a function of the more or less viscosity of the liquid patching product), preferably of approximately 8 mm, and are mutually spaced by a distance of 20 to 50 mm. mm, for example 40 mm. Depending on the length of the tube 100 and the values chosen for the diameter of the lights and their spacing, typically between 4 and 15 lights are provided.

The apparatus according to the invention further comprises a valve 500 for selectively allowing and preventing the flow of the product. of the container 100 to the dispenser device 300. This valve comprises a shutter member 510 adapted to penetrate from the top into the collar 212 of the elbow 200. This shutter member 510 is surmounted by a sleeve 520 ' extending vertically in the inner space 120 of the barrel 100, made for example from a PVC tube assembled to the shutter portion 510, also PVC. The upper end of the handle, located substantially at the top of the barrel 100 or projecting upwardly therefrom, forms an operating handle 530.

As shown in Figure 2 , the closure member 510 comprises, from the bottom upwards, a guide tube 512 facilitating the placement of the valve in position, a sealing portion 514 of slightly larger diameter than that of the tube 512, situated at the level of seal 250 and intended to establish a satisfactory seal with him. The closure part finally comprises a wider ring or flange 518 intended to form a shoulder resting against a homologous shoulder formed by the top of the flange 212 of the bend 200, to define a limit of the closing portion portion in the closing direction, preventing the shutter member 510 from going too deep into the bend 200 and becoming jammed or creating a bias that could compromise the seal.

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

Note that the closure is provided both by the support between the shoulders of the flanges 518, 212 and by the cooperation between the flat gasket 250 and the periphery of the portion 514.

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

The platform 610 is mounted on three or four wheels 620 (here four wheels arranged at the four corners of a square), which are all freely pivotable about a vertical axis, possibly being lockable.

A cutout of appropriate dimensions is formed in the platform 610 to house the sleeve 400 and the bulk of the bend 200.

As shown in Figure 1 , the dispensing device 300 projects laterally with respect to the platform 610 of material to allow the operator to clearly visualize how the patching product is distributed on the ground.

Advantageously, the apparatus also comprises a mixing device 700 which comprises a mixer-type mixing device 710 having a handle 712 descending into the liquid contained in the drum (at an appropriate distance from the valve to avoid disturbing its operation) and provided with at its free end of the part 714 forming drummer proper. The accessory is mounted here on a power tool such as a drill 720. Alternatively, it could be a dedicated motor, powered by mains or rechargeable battery.

The mixing device is removably mounted on a support 120 integral with the drum 100. Advantageously, this support 120 occupies only part of the upper opening of the drum so as to visually check the level of liquid product of patching in the drum. . It is also preferably used to guide and retain the upper portion 530 of the valve 500, and to allow, using a pin, a jaw or any other suitable mechanical element, to hold the valve in the up position (open) or low (closed).

Optionally, there is provided in the upper region of the barrel 100, for example fixed to the support 120, a handle (not shown) to facilitate guiding the device during its movements. For example, it may be two vertical or inclined handles to hold the device with both hands forming a handlebar.

• après avoir vérifié que la vanne 500 était fermée, l'opérateur verse une dose de poudre et la quantité d'eau correspondante dans le fût 100 ; le dispositif de gâchage étant en service, le mélange s'effectue de façon autonome ;
• l'alimentation électrique du dispositif de gâchage étant débranchée, l'appareil est déplacé en le faisant rouler jusqu'au site d'application du produit, puis l'opérateur ouvre la vanne 500 en levant le manche 520 à l'aide de la poignée de manoeuvre 530,
• le produit commence alors à s'écouler par gravité entre l'intérieur de la cuve 100 et le distributeur 300 et à sortir de façon répartie au niveau des différentes lumières 320, et l'opérateur déplace alors l'appareil, le plus souvent à la fois en rotation et en translation, de manière à adapter la quantité de produit épandue à l'épaisseur recherchée, elle-même fonction en général de l'état du sol ;
• une fois l'application terminée, la vanne 500 est refermée et l'appareil peut être déplacé vers une autre zone à traiter ; si le traitement est terminé, le dispositif distributeur 300 est démonté pour être nettoyé, de même que le fond de la cuve 100 et la vanne 500.

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 drum 100; the mixing device is in use, the mixture is carried out autonomously;
• the power supply of the mixing device being disconnected, the apparatus is moved by rolling it to the application site of the product, then the operator opens the valve 500 by lifting the handle 520 with the handle maneuvering machine 530,
• the product then begins to flow by gravity between the inside of the tank 100 and the distributor 300 and to leave distributedly at the various lights 320, and the operator then moves the device, usually to the both in rotation and in translation, so as to adapt the amount of product spread to the desired thickness, itself in general function of the state of the soil;
• once the application is completed, the valve 500 is closed and the device can be moved to another area to be treated; if the treatment is finished, the dispensing device 300 is disassembled for cleaning, as well as the bottom of the tank 100 and the valve 500.

According to the variant illustrated on the Figures 3 and 4 , the apparatus further comprises, below the lights 320 and in alignment with them, a splitter element 800 for homogenizing the distribution of the product on the ground. In this example, the element 800 has the shape of an elongate section of tiled section, its upper face 810 facing the lights 320 being concave. One could alternatively use a flat or convex upper surface, the concave profile having however given the best results in terms of product distribution.

The element 800 is preferably fixed to the dispensing device 300, for example by means of clamps, brackets or fastening hooks 820. Alternatively, the elements 300 and 800 may be formed in one piece, for example by injection of plastic material.

Tests were carried out with an apparatus according to the invention. The device allowed an inexperienced person to treat several thousand square meters of partitioned premises with a high quality of application, effortlessly and without fatigue. It is noted that it can be easily handled and used by a single operator.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, but the art can make many variations and modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for applying a resurfacing product to the ground, characterized in that it comprises:

   - a holder (600) capable of being manually moved on the ground by means of multidirectional rolling; and

   - a tank (100) supported by the holder and capable of containing a liquid resurfacing product; and

   - a dispensing device (300) in selective communication with a lower region of the tank,

   characterized in that the dispensing device comprises a tube in which a series of horizontally spaced openings (320) are formed, through which the liquid can flow out under the effect of gravity alone, the tube projecting laterally outside the holder (600) so as to be visible.
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 tank and the dispensing device.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the communication channel comprises a generally vertically oriented portion (210) leading upwards into the bottom of the tank, and in that the sealing device comprises a seal (510) which extends into the tank, is capable of being guided in said generally vertically oriented portion (210) and is controlled from an upper region of the tank (100).
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the seal (510) interacts with the channel (210) both by bearing between shoulders formed on the seal (518) and on the channel (212) and by means of an inserted flexible annular gasket (250).
5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dispensing device (300) comprises a blind tube which extends generally horizontally, and along which said openings (320) are distributed.
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means (310, 400 for sealingly and removably mounting the dispensing device.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing mounting means comprise a press fit having a gasket (420) between a tubular end (310) of the dispensing 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 a bend (200).
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 combined with any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the communication channel with which the sealing device interacts comprises a vertical portion (210) of the bend (200), by means of which it is sealingly mounted in the bottom (110) of the tank (100).
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a member for distributing the product, located below the openings, the resurfacing product being distributed onto the member before reaching the ground.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the distribution member has an upper face which is generally concave.

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