US3206125A

US3206125A - Dispenser for heated material having means to prepare the surface to be heated

Info

Publication number: US3206125A
Application number: US213930A
Authority: US
Inventors: Farrell Louis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-08-01
Filing date: 1962-08-01
Publication date: 1965-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 1982-09-14

Description

Sept. 14, 1965 L. FARRELL 3,206,125 DISPENSER FOR HEATED MATERIAL HAVING MEANS TO PREPARE THE SURFACE TO BE HEATED 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1962 I N VEN TOR. Lou/s fia geu.

P 1965 L. FARRELL 3,206,125

DISPENSER FOR HEATED MATERIAL HAVING MEANS TO PREPARE THE SURFACE TO BE HEATED 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1962 INVENTOR. Cows 34 .96 BY W Wu Arrvqwsya United States Patent 3,206,125 DISPENSER FOR HEATED MATERIAL HAV- ING MEANS TO PREPARE THE SURFACE TO BE HEATED Louis Farrell, Bank St., Califon, NJ. Filed Aug. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 213,930 4 Claims. (Cl. 239-135) This invention relates to a dispensing device and more particularly to a device for applying compound for filling and sealing the joints in highway structures, pipes and the like.

In the construction of concrete highways it is standard practice to pour the concrete in elongated slabs disposed within an arrangement of metal forms. Since the concrete expands and contracts with temperature changes, it is necessary to leave a transverse space or joint between the ends of adjacent slabs. In constructing adjacent lanes, the presence of the metal forms results in longitudinal joints which permit transverse expansion of the slabs in each lane. Once the concrete has set and the forms removed, it is necessary to fill and seal all of the joints in order not only to prevent the entry of water but also to level the opening of the joints with respect to the adjacent portions of the concrete slab so that a substantially smooth road surface can be obtained. The entry of water into the joints can be destructive to the highway since during cold weather any accumulation of water in the joints and beneath them can freeze and the expansion of the ice can crack the concrete and heave the slab up from the subgrade. Similarly as in the case of concrete highway construction, concrete pipes especially those used in sewerage work are provided with joints which must be sealed after the pipes are placed in position. Here it is necessary that the joint be completely filled since otherwise leakage of contaminated liquids can occur.

The joints are commonly filled with bituminous joint compounds such as those consisting of pure asphalt or asphalt with a percentage of filler. In splite of the mechanization of highway construction, it is common practice to fill the joints with the compound by manual methods. Thus the compound is heated in a kettle or vat by means of an oil-fired furnace, the firing rate of which is manually controlled in view of visual checks of the melting compound. The melted compound is tapped from the vat into containers each of which has a pouring spout. Prior to filling and sealing, the joints are swept out and made ready for the compound. The containers are then handcarried to the portion of the joint to be sealed and by means of the pouring spout, the joint compound is poured into the joint. With such a system it is obvious that it is difficult to obtain uniform high quality and efficiency in the filling of the joints. If the furnace is permitted to overheat the compound or to heat it for too long a period of time, the compound can become carbonized and brittle. An overheated compound can make steam in the joint causing the compound to be blown clear out of it while on the other hand an underheated compound, due to its viscosity, may fail to completely fill the joint or harden before the joint is completely filled. The method of filling the joints from containers is not only an inherently slow and tedious process but it also exposes the workers to serious injury if the melted compound is accidentally spilled from the container or from the vat during the filling of the container.

It is an object of the invention, to provide a dispensing device for delivering a flow of material adjacent a Work area and for conditioning the work area to receive the material.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing device for delivering a flow of heated material adjacent a work area and for conditioning the work area to receive the heated material.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing device for delivering heated joint compound to adjacent the joint to be filled and for cleaning the joint prior to filling.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a dispensing device for delivering compound under controlled temperature conditions to a joint to be filled.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a portable apparatus which is adapted to melt the compound, deliver it to the joint, and to provide the means for cleaning the joint in advance of filling.

In one embodiment of the invention an electrically heated vat is provided to melt the joint compound. Means are provided for maintaining the joint compound at a predetermined temperature within the vat. The melted compound is delivered from the vat by a hose arrangement which also is maintained at a predetermined temperature. The hose is provided with an applicator which is adapted to direct a stream of melted compound directly into the joint in order to insure that the joint is completely and properly filled and sealed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the applicator or nozzle at the free end of the heated delivery hose is provided with means for cleaning the joint adjacent to the area where the compound is introduced. The means for cleaning can comprise a nozzle adapted to inject a stream of compressed air into the joint adjacent to the nozzle delivering the melted compound.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the dispensing equipment is integrated into a portable unit. The vat as well as the hose and applicator are electrically heated by current supplied from a generator located adjacent to the vat. The unit further includes an air compressor located adjacent the vat for delivering compressed air to the nozzle for cleaning the joint.

Other objects and features will become apparent in the following description and claims and in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary horizontal section view of the dispenser showing the electrically heated vat, the electrically heated hose and applicator, and the compressed air cleaning nozzle;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section view of the vat taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and showing the vat provided with electrical strip heaters and an insulating jacket;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 and further showing an electrical strip heater and the insulating jacket;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the applicator showing the nozzles for both the melted compound and the compressed air.

The dispensing device of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Vat 10 serves as the means for containing a quantity of the joint compound while it is being melted and heated to a predetermined temperature. Vat 10 is provided with inner and outer walls 10a and 1012, respectively. The walls are separated from one another and the space between them is filled with insulating material 11, such as fiberglass. The means for heating the compound in vat 10 includes electrical strip heaters 12 which are positioned adjacent to the bottom inner wall of the vat by fasteners 12a (FIG. 3). With this arrangement, heat from the strip heaters is conducted directly through the inner wall of the vat to the compound. By placing the strip heaters along the bottom of the vat, it is insured that substantially all of the heat is transferred to the compound and that the convection currents resulting from the heating of the bottom portion of the vat pro-motes rapid and uniform heating of the compound.

As shown in FIG. 2, vat It) is provided with cover 13 which includes sections 13a and 13b connected by hinge 13c. Either section of the cover can be raised to permit the insertion of unmelted compound into the vat. Leads 15a and b which are connected to a source of electrical energy such as generator 14 provide the current to the strip heaters. The temperature of the compound Within the vat is determined by temperature sensor or bulb 16 located adjacent inner wall 10a. The response of the bulb is transmitted by tube 17 to thermostat switch 1%. Thus the temperature sensor arrangements can be of the vapor or pressure type, the response of which is transmitted from the bulb by a capillary tube to the thermostat control switch. Thermostat switch 18 in turn controls the flow of currents to the strip heaters in order to maintain a predetermined temperature condition within the vat. The thermostat switch can be set to maintain a predetermined temperature condition at bulb 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the thermostat switch is connected in series with the parallel arrangement of strip heaters.

The melted compound is carried from vat 10 to applicator 19 by hose 20. As shown in FIG. 2, hose 20 includes inner flexible tube 2% surrounded by heater 20b and insulating cover 200. Heater Ztlb can be the woven type fabricated from electrical resistance wire which is woven in a form adapted to be wrapped about inner flexible tube 2110. Rapid transfer of heat from heater 20b to the melted compound within the tube is enhanced by placing the heater directly along the outer surface of the tubing and forming the tubing from a highly conductive metal such as copper. In this way the temperature of the melted compound is maintained at a predetermined level not only within the vat but also while the compound passes from the vat to the applicator. Loss of heat from heater 2% is prevented by encasing the heater with insulating cover or jacket 20c such as one containing fiberglass. Vat 19 is provided with fitting 21 adjacent its bottom portion for passing the melted compound into hose 20. Valve 22 inserted between the connector and hose enables the flow of compound to the hose to be shut off such as when the compound is to be allowed to cool and harden. Thus by closing valve 22, the hose can be drained or even removed from the vat.

Applicator 19 includes tubular body portion 19a and nozzle 1%. Valve 23 which connects the applicator to hose 20 serves to control the flow of melted compound through the applicator and also enables the flow to be shut off whenever desired. Knob 23a permits adjustment of the valve. Heater 2% and insulating cover 290 extend over the applicator in order that it be heated in a similar manner as hose 2%. Hose 20 is provided with thermostat switch 24 which is mounted adjacent to hose 20 in order to sense its temperature. Switch 24 controls the flow of electrical current from leads Site and b to heater 20b to maintain the compound at a predetermined temperature. In this way temperature of the compound can be maintained at a predetermined temperature not only within the vat but in the hose and regardless of whether flow is taking place or has been terminated. This arrangement insures that the viscosity of the compound is maintained at the desired point for the proper application to the joints.

In order to clean the joint in advance of the application of the compound, applicator 19 is provided with cleaning nozzle 25 mounted adjacent to nozzle 19b. Tube 25:: connects nozzle 25 to air control valve 26. Pipe 27 connects the control valve to hose 28 which is disposed adjacent to hose 20. Adjacent to vat 10 air hose 28 is connected to supply pipe 29 of the compressed air source 30. As shown in FIG. 4 nozzle 25 is disposed at an angle to the axis of nozzle 1% in order that the jet of air passing from without nozzle 25 is directed into joint 31 of working surface 32 ahead of the stream of joint compound 33. In this manner foreign material such as dust, sand, moisture and the like, are blown from within joint 31 thereby preparing it to receive the melted compound. Devices other than those producing a jet of compressed air can be used to condition the joint to receive the compound. Thus for example, fluids other than air can be sprayed ahead of the stream of material being delivered to the joint. The operator can control the flow of compressed air as desired by means of button 26a on the control valve. Thus the air blast into the joint is operated only when required by the condition of the joint.

As shown in FIG. 1 the means for supplying the compressed air and the electrical power, that is air compressor 3'0 and generator 14, respectively, can be positioned adjacent to vat 10 with the result that a compact and integrated portable dispenser is obtained.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is understood that certain changes, additions, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed:

1. A portable device for dispensing sealing compound into a joint or the like comprising a container adapted to receive a quantity of the compound, means supported by said container for electrically heating said container, a tube connected at one end portion thereof to said container, said tube being adapted to convey said compound through the other end portion thereof to adjacent the joint, additional means supported 'by said tube and adjacent thereto for electrically heating the compound therein, means connected to said heating means and said additional heating means for energizing the same, means supported by said tube and disposed about said tube and said heating means for retarding the outward flow of heat therefrom, means for providing a source of pressured fluid, and an additional tube connected at one end portion thereof to said source providing means, the other end portion of said additional tube being supported by said tube adjacent the other end portion thereof, said additional tube being adapted to convey a flow of pressured fluid through the other end thereof to adjacent the said joint to prepare the joint to receive the compound, the other end portion of said tube and the other end portion of said additional tube being disposed relative to one another to deliver flows of fluid and material which are spaced apart throughout their length.

2. A device for applying material at an elevated temperatnre to a work area comprising a tubular body member adapted to receive material at one end portion thereof and to deliver a flow of the material at the other end portion thereof adjacent the work area, means connected to said tubular body member for controlling the rate of delivery of said material therefrom, means supported by said body member adjacent thereto for heating the material therein, means supported by said body member and disposed about said body member and said heating means for retarding the outward flow of heat therefrom, an additional tubular member positioned adjacent and supported by said body member, said tubular member being adapted to receive a flow of fluid at one end portion thereof and to deliver the flow of fluid at the other end portion thereof adjacent the work area adapted to receive the material, the other end portion of said additional tubular member and the other end portion of said tubular member being disposed relative to one another to deliver flow of fluid and material which are spaced apart throughout their length, and means connected to said tubular member for controlling the rate of delivery of fluid therefrom.

3. A device for applying material at an elevated temperature to a work area comprising a tubular body member adapted to receive material at one end portion thereof, a nozzle member connected to and extending at an angle from the other end portion of said body member, said nozzle member being adapted to deliver the material in a predetermined direction from said body member to adjacent the work area, means connected to said nozzle member for controlling the rate of delivery of said material therefrom, means supported by said body member adjacent thereto for heating the material therein, means supported by said member and disposed about said body member and said heating means for retarding the outward flow of heat therefrom, a tubular member supported by said body member and extending adjacent said nozzle member at an angle thereto, said tubular member being adapted to deliver a flow of fluid extending away from said flow of material to adjacent the work area adapted to receive the material, and means connected to said tubular member for controlling the rate of delivery of fluid therefrom.

4. A device for dispensing sealing compound into a joint or the like comprising a container adapted to receive a quantity of the compound, means disposed adjacent a wall of said container for electrically heating said container, a flexible tube connected at one end portion thereof to said container, said tube being adapted to dispense a flow of said compound through the other end portion thereof in a predetermined direction to adjacent the joint to receive the compound, additional means disposed adjacent and attached to said tube for electrically heating the compound therein, means mounted on said container for controlling the temperature of the compound therein, additional means disposed adjacent and supported by said tube for controlling the temperature of the compound in said tube, means connected to aid heating means and said additional heating means for energizing the same, means supported by said tube and disposed about said tube and said heating means for retarding the outward flow of heat therefrom, means for providing a source of pressure fluid, and an additional tube connected at one end portion thereof to said source providing means, the other end portion of said additional tube being positioned adjacent and supported by the other end portion of said tube and extending away from said predetermined direction in which the compound is dispensed at an angle, said additional tube being adapted to convey a flow of pressured fluid through the other end portion thereof at an angle extending away from the direction of the flow of said compound to adjacent the said joint to prepare the joint to receive the compound.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,634 6/23 Neri 222-146 1,968,992 8/34 Conkling 222-146 2,262,964 11/41 Reilly et a1 239-112 2,478,557 8/49 Bell et al. 239-105 2,610,092 9/52 Thompson 239-295 2,614,000 10/52 Reinhold 239-295 2,738,231 3/56 Kurtz 239-295 2,762,652 9/56 Carter 239- 2,785,925 3/57 Bell et a] 239-75 3,008,808 11/61 Hodges 239-133 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, LOUIS I. DEMBO, EVERETT W. KIRBY, Examiners.

Claims

1. A PORTABLE DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SEALING COMPOUND INTO A JOINT OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A CONTAINER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A QUANTITY OF THE COMPOUND, MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID CONTAINER FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATING SAID CONTAINER, A TUBE CONNECTED AT ONE END PORTION THEREOF TO SAID CONTAINER, SAID TUBE BEING ADAPTED TO CONVEY SAID COMPOUND THROUGH THE OTHER END PORTION THEREOF TO ADJACENT THE JOINT, ADDITIONAL MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID TUBE AND ADJACENT THERETO FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATING THE COMPOUND THEREIN, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID HEATING MEANS AND SAID ADDITIONAL HEATING MEANS FOR ENERGIZING THE SAME, MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID TUBE AND DISPOSED ABOUT SAID TUBE AND SAID HEATING MEANS FOR RETARDING THE OUTWARD FLOW OF HEAT THEREFROM, MEANS FOR PROVIDING A SOURCE OF PRESSURED FLUID, AND AN ADDITIONAL TUBE CONNECTED AT ONE END PORTION THEREOF TO SAID SOURCE PROVIDING MEANS, THE OTHER END PORTION OF SAID ADDITIONAL TUBE BEING SUPPORTED BY