FR3135289A1 - ROOF TREATMENT DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

ROOF TREATMENT DEVICE Device for spraying a treatment liquid onto a roof (2) of a building (1) having at least one inclined side (3) from an upper edge or ridge (5), comprising: - at least a spray boom (6), - fixing means (8a – 8e), shaped to fix said spray boom (6) along said upper edge or ridge (5) of said roof (2) and in an orientation in which the spray is directed towards said inclined pan (3), - a pipe (11), connected to said spray boom (6), and having a second end (11b) at ground or basement level of said building ( 1), - a movable assembly (12) comprising a treatment liquid reservoir and pumping means designed to take said treatment liquid contained in said reservoir and to inject it into said pipe (11) to spray this liquid through the spray boom (6). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

ROOF TREATMENT DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of treatment of building roofs, to ensure their cleaning and their treatment against vegetation, in particular against vegetation of the moss and lichen type.

The lifespan of building roofs, in particular sloping roofs covered with a covering of ceramic tiles or plates, terracotta, concrete, bitumen or even wood, depends very largely on the vegetation which grows. develops on the roof, in particular moss and lichens. The destructive effect of this type of vegetation is due to the penetration of roots into the finest cracks and cavities of roof coverings. Roots that have penetrated put pressure on the material, causing cracks to widen or shatter. The roof covering is then more vulnerable to bad weather, particularly frost, which further increases bursting.

Thus, to extend the lifespan of building roofs, it is desirable to avoid the proliferation of plants, particularly moss and lichens on the external surface of these roofs.

Until now, periodic cleaning of the external surface of such roofs has been carried out, by a mechanical cleaning action and/or by a spraying of chemical cleaning liquid, possibly followed by a spraying of protective polymer which prevents further penetration by mosses and lichens. Such a possibility is described for example by document WO2005106158. It will be understood that such treatment requires the action of an operator who holds and moves a portable liquid spraying device. The operator must be present on the roof itself, which presents a risk of accident by falling, or on lifting equipment, which entails a significant cost and which is not exempt from the risk of accident.

To avoid the above disadvantages, it was also proposed to fix, near the upper part of the roof, copper elements on which rainwater can run off. Rainwater dissolves the components of the copper elements, and distributes them by runoff on the roof. The dissolved components oppose plant growth, particularly the growth of mosses and lichens, and tend to make them disappear. However, experience shows that this device is not sufficiently efficient. In particular, the distribution of dissolved components is not sufficiently regular, and does not extend sufficiently, particularly when the roof has a large surface area.

A problem proposed by the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages of known devices for treating building roofs, by designing means which ensure satisfactory treatment of roofs without requiring the presence of an operator on the roof itself or on a lifting machine.

At the same time, the invention aims to enable satisfactory treatment of a roof by a non-professional operator, for example by the owner himself of a villa or by the manager of a collective building, without requiring any particular skill.

To achieve these objects as well as others, according to a first aspect of the invention, a device is proposed for treating a roof of a building having at least a first section inclined from an upper edge or ridge, by spraying a treatment liquid on said roof, the device comprising:
- at least a first spray boom, elongated between a first open supply end and a second closed end or connected to a second end of a second spray boom, and shaped to spray laterally and in all or most part of its length said treatment liquid around at least a first spray plane,
- fixing means, shaped to fix said first spray boom along said upper edge or ridge of said roof and in an orientation in which said at least one first spray plane is directed towards said first inclined surface,
- a pipe, having a first end shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to said first end of the first spray boom, having a second end, and having a sufficient length so that its second end is at ground or basement level -floor of said building when its first end is connected to said first spray boom,
- a tank, shaped to contain said treatment liquid, having an inlet through which said treatment liquid can be introduced into the tank, and having an outlet through which said treatment liquid can exit,
- pumping means designed to take said treatment liquid contained in said tank through said outlet and to inject it into said second end of the pipe at a pressure sufficient to carry out said spraying of this liquid by the first spray boom.

In one embodiment allowing the spraying of a treatment liquid on a building roof having a first and a second inclined sides on either side of an upper ridge, the device comprises:
- said first spray boom, elongated between its first open supply end and its second closed end or connected to a second end of a second spray boom, and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length of said treatment liquid around a first spray plane,
- a second spray boom, elongated between a first open supply end and a second closed end or connected to the second end of the first spray boom, and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around a second spray plane,
- fixing means, shaped to fix said first spray boom along said upper ridge of said roof and in a first orientation in which said first spray plane is directed towards said first inclined surface, and shaped to fix said second spray boom spraying along said upper ridge of said roof and in a second orientation in which said second spray plane is directed towards said second inclined surface,
- said pipe being shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to the respective first ends of one and the other of the first and second spray booms.

According to a first embodiment, the spray boom(s) are visible, made of copper or copper alloy, and placed on the ridge of the roof being uncovered and likely to receive rain. We thus combine the action of the treatment liquid and the action of the rain which dissolves the chemical components of the copper spray booms, and distributes them by runoff on the roof.

According to another embodiment, the spray boom(s) are made of cross-linked polyethylene and are placed on the ridge of the roof, topped with a sheet of copper or copper alloy. We thus again combine the action of the treatment liquid and the action of the rain which dissolves the chemical components of the copper or copper alloy sheet, and distributes them by runoff on the roof. In addition, making the spray boom(s) from cross-linked polyethylene is more economical.

According to another embodiment, the spray boom(s) are concealed, made of cross-linked polyethylene, and placed on the ridge of the roof, being topped by ridge tiles.

In practice, the spray boom(s) can advantageously be provided with spraying or misting nozzles distributed along their length and shaped to spray the treatment liquid. The production of spray booms is thus simplified.

Preferably, the spray boom(s) are further shaped to spray treatment liquid also upwards around the upper edge or ridge of the roof. In practice, it can be provided that certain spraying or misting nozzles of each spray boom are oriented downstream of the roof according to a respective spraying plane, and that additional spraying or misting nozzles are oriented upwards. around the upper edge or ridge of the roof, to complete the spraying of treatment liquid and avoid possible lack of spraying on the surfaces to be treated.

According to an advantageous embodiment:
- the tank and the pumping means are mounted on a movable trolley,
- the pumping means are connected to the pipe in a removable manner.

In this way, the treatment liquid supply means constitute a removable assembly which can be disconnected and stored away from the location of use, for example indoors in a cellar or basement, and/or that can be moved to treat other buildings.

Advantageously, we can predict that:
- the pumping means comprise a pump driven by an electric motor designed to be powered by a source of electrical energy via a switch,
- the tank is associated with a liquid level sensor designed to open said switch and thus interrupt power supply to said electric motor when the liquid level inside the tank is lower than a predetermined minimum level.

This protects the pumping means against possible degradation resulting from empty operation, so that the use of the device can be ensured by an operator with little experience.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a building with a roof is proposed having at least one section inclined from an upper edge or ridge, said building being provided with a roof treatment device as defined above, said at least one spray boom being fixed along said upper edge or ridge of said roof, said pipe having its first end connected in a sealed manner to said spray boom and having its second end at ground or basement level of said building for be removably connected to a movable assembly comprising said tank and said pumping means.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the use of a roof treatment device as defined above is proposed for the treatment of the roof of a building.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which:

There is a schematic side view of a building equipped with a treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

There is a front view of the building with the treatment device;

There is a top view of the building with the treatment device;

There is a partial front view illustrating two spray booms fixed on either side of the roof ridge according to one embodiment of the present invention;

There is a partial front view illustrating two spray booms fixed on either side of the roof ridge according to another embodiment of the present invention;

There is a schematic view illustrating a movable assembly with reservoir and pumping means according to one embodiment of the present invention;

There illustrates another embodiment of an assembly with reservoir and pumping means, which cannot be moved;

There illustrates an embodiment of a ridge tile; And

There illustrates a spray boom provided with a diversion to cooperate with a ridge tile of the .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

When identical reference numerals are used in several embodiments of the invention, these reference numerals designate identical or similar elements in each of the embodiments.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a building 1 whose roof 2 comprises a first section 3 and a second section 4 which are both inclined from an upper ridge 5. The building 1 is provided with a treatment device according to the present invention for spraying a treatment liquid on both sides 3 and 4 of the roof 2.

The treatment device comprises a first spray ramp 6, elongated between a first open supply end 6a and a second closed end 6b, and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around of a first spraying plane P3 ( ).

The treatment device comprises a second spray ramp 7, elongated between a first open supply end 7a and a second closed end 7b, and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around a second spraying plane P4 ( ).

In the presence of two spray booms 6 and 7, the second ends 6b and 7b can be connected to each other, instead of being closed.

Fixing means are shaped to fix said first spray boom 6 along said upper ridge 5 of said roof 2 and in a first orientation in which said first spray plane P3 is directed towards said first inclined surface 3 or parallel to it. this.

The fixing means are also shaped to fix said second spraying ramp 7 along said upper ridge 5 of said roof 2 and in a second orientation in which said second spraying plane P4 is directed towards said second inclined surface 4 or parallel to that -this.

For example, the fixing means comprise curved spacers 8a-8e connecting the spray booms 6 and 7 to each other by forming an arch above the upper ridge 5, and/or comprise fixing members such that hooks for securing the ends 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b of the spray booms 6 and 7 to the respective edges 9 and 10 of the roof 2, and/or comprise fixing members such as hooks for securing the spray booms spraying 6 and 7 to roof tiles 2.

The treatment device comprises a pipe 11, having a first end 11a shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to the respective first ends 6a and 7a of the spray booms 6 and 7, having a second end 11b, and having a sufficient length so that its second end 11b is at ground or basement level of said building 1 when its first end 11a is connected to the spray booms 6 and 7, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

The treatment device comprises treatment liquid supply means 12 which, during use, are arranged at ground level near the building 1, or in the basement of the building 1, according to the wishes of the 'user.

In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the treatment liquid supply means 12 are arranged at ground level, and for example form a movable assembly mounted on a carriage 13 as illustrated in the figure. , or form for example an assembly mounted on a fixed support 13a as illustrated in the .

The treatment liquid supply means 12 comprise a reservoir 14 and pumping means 15. The reservoir 14 is shaped to contain said treatment liquid. It has an upper inlet 14a closed by a cover 14b and through which said treatment liquid can be introduced into the tank 14. It has a lower outlet 14c through which said treatment liquid can exit. The pumping means 15 are shaped to take through said outlet 14c said treatment liquid contained in said reservoir 14 and to inject it into said second end 11b of the pipe 11 at a pressure sufficient to achieve said spraying of this liquid by the ramps spraying 6 and 7.

In practice, the pumping means 15 comprise a pump 15a driven by an electric motor 15b designed to be powered by a source of electrical energy via a switch 16.

The tank 14 is associated with a liquid level sensor 17 designed to open said switch 16 and thus interrupt the power supply to said electric motor 15b when the liquid level inside the tank 14 is lower than a predetermined minimum level N0 . Preferably, the predetermined minimum level N0 is chosen close to the bottom of the tank 14, but higher than the level of the lower outlet 14c.

In the embodiment illustrated on the , the discharge outlet 15c of the pump 15a is directly connected to the second end 11b of the pipe 11, and a lower orifice of the tank 14 itself constitutes the lower outlet 14c.

The embodiment illustrated on the includes some modifications and improvements. The elements corresponding to those of the embodiment of the are identified by the same numerical references.

A first difference lies in the liquid sampling means which, in the embodiment of the , comprise a flexible pipe 14d which plunges into the tank 14 from an upper inlet to a lower end 14c provided with a strainer and placed near the bottom of the tank 14.

A second difference lies in the liquid level sensor 17, illustrated in the form of a float level switch connected by an electrical line to the housing of the switch 16 to control the tilting of said switch 16.

A third difference lies in the fact that the pump 15a is associated with an air tank 18 containing a bladder 19 connected to the discharge outlet 15c of the pump 15a in order to regulate the liquid pressure at the outlet of the pump.

Another difference lies in the presence of draining means to selectively allow the treatment liquid to flow downwards out of the spray boom(s) 6 and 7, out of the pipe 11, and out of the tank 14 and the means pumping 15, and in the presence of means allowing the introduction of pressurized air into the pipe 11 and into the spray boom(s) 6 and 7. In practice these means can include, in the vicinity of the end 11b of the pipe 11, a bypass 11c associated with valves 11d and 11e selectively allowing the flow of the treatment liquid out of the pipe 11 and the spray booms 6 and 7, or the introduction of pressurized air for purging and the possible unblocking of spray booms 6 and 7.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the spray booms 6 and 7 are placed on the roof 2 being uncovered and likely to receive rain. In this case it is advantageous to make the spray booms 6 and 7 in copper or copper alloy.

In the embodiment illustrated on the , the spray booms 6 and 7 are placed on the roof 2 being surmounted by a sheet 20 of copper or copper alloy, or by ridge tiles. In this case it is advantageous to make the spray booms 6 and 7 in crosslinked polyethylene.

In all the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the spray booms 6 and 7 are provided with spraying or misting nozzles 21, distributed along the length of the spray booms, for example every 30 cm, and shaped to spray the treatment liquid according to the respective plans P3 and P4. The spraying or misting nozzles 21 create the outlet orifices of the spray booms 6 and 7.

On each spray ramp 6 or 7, at least some of the spraying or misting nozzles 21 can advantageously be inclined, alternately or not, towards one or the other of the first 6a, 7a and second 6b, 7b ends of said spray nozzle 6 or 7.

In the case of spray booms surmounted by ridge tiles, one can advantageously plan to use special, extruded ridge tiles, such as the ridge tile 22 illustrated for example in the . This ridge tile 22 is in the shape of an arch, for example the arc of a cylinder, and has one or more lateral notches such as the notch 23 for the passage of a spraying or misting means 21. In practice, as illustrated also on the , it is possible to provide on the spray boom 6 branches such as the branch 24 at the end of which a spraying or misting nozzle 21 is provided. The branch 24 is conformable to adapt to the distance between its connection to the spray boom 6 and the position of the notch 23 of the ridge tile 22. It is thus possible to offset the spraying or misting nozzles 21 along the spray boom 6, to adapt to the position notches 23 of the ridge tiles 22.

The treatment device can advantageously be distributed in the form of a kit that the user can assemble themselves around the building to be treated. For this, the spray booms 6 and 7 can be delivered in the form of sections, for example sections of 2 m long, and sections of shorter lengths, for example 20 or 30 cm, so that their assembly can be carried out. adapt to the length of the ridge or upper edge of the roof to be treated. The pipe 11 can be a flexible pipe, for example made of cross-linked polyethylene, delivered in coiled form.

In use on the roof 2, the spraying or misting nozzles 21 are oriented downstream of the roof 2. Complementary spraying or misting nozzles 21a can advantageously be oriented upwards around the upper edge or ridge 5, to complete the spraying of treatment liquid in the area close to the ridge 5. Pipe 11 is advantageously placed along a rainwater downspout, to avoid disturbing the aesthetic appearance of the building. Alternatively, pipeline 11 can be incorporated into building 1 during its construction or renovation.

The pumping means 15 must be shaped to deliver in the second end 11b of the pipe 11 a pressure of treatment liquid sufficient to transport the treatment liquid according to the height of the building 1 and to supply the spraying or misting nozzles 21 and 21a a residual pressure corresponding to their nominal operating pressure determined by their manufacturer.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations contained in the field of the claims below.

Claims (12)

1 - Device for treating a roof (2) of a building (1) having at least one first section (3) inclined from an upper edge or ridge (5), by spraying a treatment liquid onto said roof (2 ), characterized in that it includes:
- at least a first spray boom (6), elongated between a first open supply end (6a) and a second end (6b) closed or connected to a second end (7b) of a second spray boom (7 ), and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around at least a first spray plane (P3),
- fixing means (8a – 8e), shaped to fix said first spray boom (6) along said upper edge or ridge (5) of said roof (2) and in an orientation in which said at least one first plane spray (P3) is directed towards said first inclined surface (3),
- a pipe (11), having a first end (11a) shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to said first end (6a) of the first spray boom (6), having a second end (11b), and having a length sufficient so that its second end (11b) is at ground or basement level of said building (1) when its first end (11a) is connected to said first spray boom (6),
- a reservoir (14), shaped to contain said treatment liquid, having an inlet (14a) through which said treatment liquid can be introduced into the reservoir (14), and having an outlet (14c) through which said liquid can exit treatment,
- pumping means (15) shaped to take through said outlet (14c) said treatment liquid contained in said reservoir (14) and to inject it into said second end (11b) of the pipe (11) at sufficient pressure to carry out said spraying of this liquid by the first spray boom (6). 2 - Device according to claim 1 for spraying a treatment liquid on a roof (2) of a building having a first and a second section (3, 4) inclined on either side of a ridge (5) superior, characterized in that it comprises:
- said first spray boom (6), elongated between its first open supply end (6a) and its second closed end (6b) or connected to a second end (7b) of a second spray boom (7), and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around the first spray plane (P3),
- a second spray boom (7), elongated between a first open supply end (7a) and a second end (7b) closed or connected to the second end (6b) of the first spray boom (6), and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around a second spray plane (P4),
- fixing means (8a – 8e), shaped to fix said first spray boom (6) along said upper ridge (5) of said roof (2) and in a first orientation in which said first spray plane (P3 ) is directed towards said first inclined side (3), and shaped to fix said second spray boom (7) along said upper ridge (5) of said roof (2) and in a second orientation in which said second spray plane (P4) is directed towards said second inclined side (4),
- said pipe (11) being shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to the respective first ends (6a, 7a) of one and the other of the first (6) and second (7) spray booms. 3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spray boom(s) (6, 7) are made of copper or copper alloy and are placed on the roof (2) being uncovered and likely to receive rain. 4 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spray boom(s) (6, 7) are made of cross-linked polyethylene and are placed on the roof (2) being surmounted by a sheet metal (20). ) of copper or copper alloy. 5 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spray boom(s) (6, 7) are made of cross-linked polyethylene and are placed on the roof (2) being topped by ridge tiles ( 20, 22). 6 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spray boom(s) (6, 7) are provided with spraying or misting nozzles (21) distributed along their length and shaped to spray the treatment liquid. 7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spray boom(s) (6, 7) are further shaped to spray treatment liquid upwards around the edge or ridge (5) upper part of the roof (2). 8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that:
- the tank (14) and the pumping means (15) are mounted on a movable carriage (13),
- the pumping means (15) are connected to the pipe (11) in a removable manner. 9 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that:
- the pumping means (15) comprise a pump (15a) driven by an electric motor (15b) designed to be powered by a source of electrical energy via a switch (16),
- the tank (14) is associated with a liquid level sensor (17) designed to open said switch (16) and thus interrupt the power supply to said electric motor (15b) when the liquid level inside the tank (14) is less than a predetermined minimum level (N0). 10 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises:
- draining means to selectively allow the treatment liquid to flow downwards out of the spray boom(s) (6, 7), out of the pipe (11), and out of the tank (14) and means pumping (15),
- means for introducing air under pressure into the pipe (11) and into the spray boom(s) (6, 7). 11 - Building (1) with roof (2) having at least one section (3, 4) inclined from an upper edge or ridge (5), said building (1) being provided with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, said at least one spray boom (6, 7) being fixed along said upper edge or ridge (5) of said roof (2), said pipe (11) having its first end (11a) connected so waterproof to said spray boom (6, 7) and having its second end (11b) at ground or basement level of said building (1) to be removably connected to a movable assembly comprising said tank (14) and said pumping means (15). 12 - Use of a roof treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for the treatment of the roof (2) of a building (1).