EP4688278A1

EP4688278A1 - Backpack applicator for applying primer or cleaner on a roofing membrane

Info

Publication number: EP4688278A1
Application number: EP24714839.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sean P. KOREN; Joseph J. Kalwara; Emmabeth VAUGHN
Original assignee: Holcim Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Holcim Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-29
Filing date: 2024-03-20
Publication date: 2026-02-11
Also published as: WO2024200158A1

Abstract

A backpack applicator for the application of primer or cleaner on a roof surface includes a receptacle carrying primer or cleaner; a support structure carrying the receptacle; a wand assembly including a scrub pad applicator at a distal end thereof; and a pump mechanism actuated to feed the primer or cleaner from the receptacle to the scrub pad applicator.

Description

Backpack Applicator For Applying Primer Or Cleaner On a Roofing

Membrane

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a backpack applicator wearable by a user for application of a primer formulation or cleaner formulation on a roof substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Primers and cleaners for roofing membranes are currently supplied in pails or cans, which are usually opened on the roof and applied by hand using a rag, pad, or brush. Those applying the primer or cleaner often must be on their hands and knees, and application through rag, pad, or brush almost always results in an uneven application of the primer or cleaner. Additionally, application of the primer or cleaner using a rag, pad, or brush very often results in the primer or cleaner contacting the skin of the individual applying it, and these are often strong solvents or are caustic and can irritate or burn the individual’s hands and skin.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a means of applying primers and cleaners to a roofing membrane without the need for the applicator to be on their hands and knees or to have the risk of the primer or cleaner contacting the skin of the applicator.

[0004] Roofing membrane sheets also have a silica dusting applied and existing at the edges where two roofing membranes overlap to be joined together during installation. This silica dust interferes with the application of the primers/cleaners and compromises their effectiveness such that there is also a need to disrupt and remove the silica dusting and otherwise improve the laying down of primers and cleaner in the installation of roofing membranes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator for the application of primer or cleaner on a roof surface comprising: a receptacle carrying primer or cleaner; a support structure carrying the receptacle; a wand assembly including a scrub pad applicator at a distal end thereof; and a pump mechanism actuated to feed the primer or cleaner from the receptacle to the scrub pad applicator.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the support structure further includes padded shoulder straps, a rigid backplate, and an adjustable waist strap and is to be worn as a backpack.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the support structure removably receives the receptacle.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the wand assembly includes an elongate wand for manipulating and moving the scrub pad applicator.

[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the wand assembly includes a delivery tube to receive the primer or cleaner from the receptacle and deliver it to the scrub pad applicator.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the delivery tube is selectively connected to a feed portion provided by the receptacle.

[0011] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the pump is selected from the group consisting of a motorized peristaltic pump, a motorized screw pump, or an analog siphon pump.

[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the pump delivers primer or cleaner to a top surface of a scrub pad of the scrub pad applicator.

[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the pump delivers primer or cleaner through a manifold that delivers primer or cleaner to the scrub pad applicator at multiple locations.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the receptacle is refillable. [0015] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the receptacle is carried by the support structure to be refilled as needed from bulk supplies of primer or cleaner.

[0016] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, further comprising a battery for powering the pump mechanism.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the pump mechanism is associated with the receptacle.

[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, further comprising an actuator to place the pump in an on state to pump the primer or cleaner, the actuator being associated with the wand assembly.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a backpack applicator as in any embodiment above, wherein the pump mechanism is associated with the wand assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a first exemplary embodiment of a backpack applicator of the present invention utilizing a receptacle that feeds out of the top.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a second exemplary embodiment of a backpack applicator of the present invention utilizing a receptacle that feeds out of the bottom.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of a scrub pad applicator of the backpack applicator of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a scrub pad applicator of the backpack applicator of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a refillable receptacle embodiment of a backpack applicator of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 6A shows a right side view of the backpack applicator of Fig. 5 on a human applicator. [0026] Fig. 6B shows a right rear side view of the backpack applicator of Fig. 5 on a human applicator.

[0027] Fig. 6C shows a left rear side view of the backpack applicator of Fig. 5 on a human applicator.

[0028] Fig. 7 shows a close-up view of an embodiment of an actuator utilized to control application of primer or cleaner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention are based, at least in part, on the discovery that a backpack applicator for applying primers or cleaners to a roof surface utilizing a scrub-pad applicator can allow for the user of the backpack applicator to avoid being on their hands and knees or to have the risk of the primer or cleaner contacting their skin. The backpack applicator of the present invention can generally be broken down into a support structure carrying a receptacle that carries primer or cleaner, a pump mechanism, and a wand assembly having a scrub pad applicator.

[0030] With reference to Fig. 1, an embodiment of a backpack applicator 10 of this invention includes a support structure 12 adapted to carry a receptacle 14 of primer or cleaner. In this embodiment, a simple strap-based support structure 12 is shown, with padded shoulder straps 16a and 16b, and receptacle straps 18a (upper), 18b (lower), and an adjustable waist strap 20 to secure the backpack applicator 10 around the user’s waist. In some embodiments, the support structure 12 can be provided with a more rigid structure providing framework for carrying the receptacle 14.

[0031] In Fig. 1, the receptacle of primer or cleaner is placed upright, with a feed portion 22 communicating with the primer or cleaner in the receptacle and providing an adapter 24 to fluidly connect with the wand assembly 26, particularly through the delivery tube 28 thereof. The delivery tube 28 ultimately ends at a scrub pad applicator 30 at the distal end of an elongate wand portion 31 of the wand assembly 26. A pump mechanism 32 is activated to pump primer or cleaner from the receptacle 14 to the scrub pad applicator 30. The pump mechanism 32 is shown as built into the elongate wand portion 31, but it could be otherwise located so long as it is suitable to force cleaner or primer from the receptacle 14 through the delivery tube 28 and to the scrubber pad 30. [9932] While virtually any suitable fluid pump can be used, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the pump mechanism is selected from a peristaltic pump, a motorized screw pump, or an analog siphon pump.

[0033] An actuator 34 suitable for placing the pump mechanism 32 in an on state that pumps fluid and an off state that does not pump fluid is further provided, here shown on the elongate wand portion 31, though it might be located elsewhere. Similarly, the actuator 34 might be located proximate the pump mechanism 32 it actuates, or the pump mechanism and actuator may be distanced from one another and even on separate elements of the backpack sprayer as a whole - i.e., though shown here as part of the wand assembly 26, the pump mechanism may be place elsewhere, as for example, as a pump mechanism more permanently associated with a receptacle or a support structure more substantial than the strap system so far shown. A simple pull trigger 36 could be employed to establish pumping (on state) and non-pumping (off state).

[0034] In this embodiment, the feed portion 22 is a dip tube 23 extending proximate the bottom of the receptacle to help ensure a sufficient emptying of the contents thereof, drawing the content (primer/cleaner) from near the bottom. The feed portion ends at the adapter 24 that allows for a releasable connection of the wand assembly 26 at delivery tube 28.

[0035] In some embodiments, the receptacle can be refillable as with a removable lid or fill port (not shown though readily appreciable). In some embodiments, each receptacle 14 of primer or cleaner would be a separately usable and disposable product, ensuring product quality and cleanliness in use, with an empty disposable receptacle 14 being removed and replaced so that the tube 28 of the wand assembly 26 can be secured to the adapter 24 of a new, full receptacle 14 to fluidly communicate with its contents.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, it is also contemplated that the receptacle, here receptacle 114, can provide a feed portion 122 including a gravity fed feed port 123 at the bottom of the receptacle, the delivery tube 28 being secured at an adapter 124 fluidly connecting the delivery tube 28 to this feed port 123 and thereby fluidly communicating with the primer or cleaner in the receptacle. A sloped wall or funnel bottom surface, as shown, can help ensure efficient use of the primer or cleaner. In some such embodiments, there is a less than 20° angle of depression 9. The angle of depression 9 describe the downward angle from the flat plane encompassing all points of the bottom circle of the pail carrying vessel body 12. The wand assembly 26 is as broad as described above, and an actuator 34 actuates the pump mechanism 32 to deliver primer or cleaner to the scrub pad applicator 30.

[0037] As with the embodiment of Fig. 1, receptacle 114 can be refillable as with a removable lid or fill port (not shown though readily appreciable). In some embodiments, each receptacle 114 of primer or cleaner would be a separately usable and disposable product, ensuring product quality and cleanliness in use, with an empty disposable receptacle 114 being removed and replaced so that the tube 28 of the wand assembly 26 can be secured to the adapter 124 of a new, full receptacle 114 to fluidly communicate with its contents.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, some embodiments of the scrub pad applicator 30 include a scrub pad 40 held on a pad support 42, with the delivery tube 28 fluidly communicating with the scrub pad 40 to deliver the primer or cleaner to the scrub pad 40. In some embodiments, the primer or cleaner would be deposited on the top surface 44 of the scrub pad 40. Once deposited, the primer or cleaner will soak through the scrub pad 40 from the top surface to the bottom surface and generally disperse out through the scrub pad 40. This will also occur as pressure and motion is applied to the pad 40 against a roofing membrane surface, in use. In some embodiments it is the same delivery tube 28 that delivers the primer/cleaner, as shown in Fig. 3, with wand portion 31 connecting to the pad support 42 and the delivery tube 28 extending through the wand portion 31. In some embodiments, the delivery tube can remain external of the wand portion 31.

[0039] In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the delivery tube 28 fluidly communicates with the scrub pad 40 through a delivery manifold 44 that delivers primer or cleaner to multiple locations along the footprint of the scrub pad 40. The manifold 44 can be provided by a multitude of delivery tubes or a manifold structure of conduits built into the pad support 42 and ultimately operatively communicating with primer or cleaner from the delivery tube 28. It is broadly a pipe, tube, or chamber branching into several openings. In some embodiments, it is the same delivery tube 28 that delivers the primer/cleaner, with wand portion 31 connecting to the pad support 42 and the delivery tube 28 extending through the wand portion 31. In some embodiments, the delivery tube can remain external of the wand portion 31 and still deliver through a manifold for better spreading and better application to the scrub pad 40. [0040] Fig. 5 shows an additional embodiment of an applicator 210 of the present invention. Applicator 210 includes a receptacle 214 held by a support structure 212, including shoulders straps 216a and 216b, a rigid backplate 250 located along a backend of the receptacle 214 to be placed in a position adjacent the user’s back, when worn. An adjustable waist strap 220 allows for sturdy securement at the waist. This embodiment is to be refillable, with the primer or cleaner added directly into the receptacle 214 through aperture 252. A hinged lid 254 is shown to provide access to refill the receptacle 214, but other means might be provided such as screw lids or fill ports and the like. In some embodiments, a liner (not shown) can be employed to line the interior of the receptacle 214 prior to the primer or cleaner being added. The use of such a liner will just make for an easier clean of the backpack applicator 210.

[0041] Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C, show the backpack applicator 210 of Fig. 5 worn by a user. Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C also show an elongated wand portion 231 having a delivery tube 228 fluidly connected to the refillable receptacle 214. The backpack applicator 210 is powered by a battery pack 256 as can be seen in Figs. 5, 6A, and 6B. The battery pack 256 powers the pump mechanism 232, which can be seen in Fig. 6C. The pump mechanism 232 will pump the primer or cleaner from the interior of the receptacle 214, through delivery tube 228 and to the scrub pad 240, in various ways as disclosed. In one or more embodiments, it is contemplated that the pump mechanism 232 is a peristaltic pump. A peristaltic pump will allow for an easier cleaning of the backpack applicator 210, and also works well with tubingbased applicators. In this embodiment, an alternative control is shown at actuator 234, located on the support structure 212, particularly the adjustable waist strap 220.

[0042] Fig. 7 shows a close-up view of an embodiment of the actuator 234 including an ON/OFF switch 260 and a rate flow adjuster switch 262. The ON/OFF switch 260 is used to turn the pump 232 ON or OFF, while the rate flow adjuster switch 262 provides the user with the ability to control the flow rate of the primer or cleaner from the receptacle 214 to the scrub pad 240.

[0043] Notably the present invention improves the installation of roofing membrane sheets by not only providing means for cleaning and priming roofing membrane surfaces for joinder during installation, but also by addressing the silica dusting applied and existing at the edges where two roofing membranes overlap to be joined together during installation. This silica dust interferes with the application of the primers/cleaners and compromises their effectiveness, but the present invention, by providing a scrub pad to receive and apply primer or cleaner to the surface, disrupts and removes the silica dusting and otherwise improves the laying down of primers and cleaner in the installation of roofing membranes. The silica dust is removed and/or bound in the primers and cleaners laid down and thus less active at the actual surface interface when joining roofing membranes.

[0044] Various modifications and alterations that do not depart from the scope and spirit of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. This invention is not to be limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.

Claims

1. A backpack applicator (10, 210) for the application of primer or cleaner on a roof surface comprising:

(a) a receptacle (14, 114, 214) carrying primer or cleaner;

(b) a support structure (12, 212) carrying the receptacle (14, 114, 214);

(c) a wand assembly (26) including a scrub pad applicator (30) at a distal end thereof; and

(d) a pump mechanism (32, 232) actuated to feed the primer or cleaner from the receptacle (14, 114, 214) to the scrub pad applicator (30).

2. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 1, wherein the support structure (12, 212) further includes padded shoulder straps (16a, 16b; 216a, 216b), a rigid backplate (250), and an adjustable waist strap (20, 220) and is to be worn as a backpack.

3. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 1, wherein the support structure (12, 212) removably receives the receptacle (14, 114, 214).

4. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 1, wherein the wand assembly (26) includes an elongate wand portion (31, 231) for manipulating and moving the scrub pad applicator (30).

5. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 1, wherein the wand assembly (26) includes a delivery tube (28, 228) to receive the primer or cleaner from the receptacle (14, 114, 214) and deliver it to the scrub pad applicator (30).

6. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 5, wherein the delivery tube (28, 228) is selectively connected to a feed portion (22, 122) provided by the receptacle (14, 114, 214).

7. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 1, wherein the pump mechanism (32, 232) is selected from the group consisting of a motorized peristaltic pump, a motorized screw pump, or an analog siphon pump.

8. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 1, wherein the pump mechanism (32, 232) delivers primer or cleaner to a top surface of a scrub pad (40, 240) of the scrub pad applicator (30).

9. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 1, wherein the pump mechanism (32, 232) delivers primer or cleaner through a manifold (44) that delivers primer or cleaner to the scrub pad applicator (30) at multiple locations.

10. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 1, wherein the receptacle (14, 114, 214) is refillable.

11. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 10, wherein the receptacle (14, 114, 214) is carried by the support structure (12, 212) to be refilled as needed from bulk supplies of primer or cleaner.

12. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 11, further comprising a battery for powering the pump mechanism (32, 232).

13. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 12, wherein the pump mechanism (32, 232) is associated with the receptacle (14, 114, 214).

14. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 13, further comprising an actuator (34, 234) to place the pump mechanism (32, 232) in an on state to pump the primer or cleaner, the actuator (34, 234) being associated with the wand assembly (26).

15. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 12, wherein the pump mechanism (32, 232) is associated with the wand assembly (26).

16. The backpack applicator (10, 210) of claim 15, further comprising an actuator (34, 234) to place the pump mechanism (32, 232) in an on state to pump the primer or cleaner, the actuator being associated with the wand assembly (26).