A method for applying contrasting thermoplastic markings to a roadway in a single pass. The contrast road marking apparatus includes two or more ribbon guns configured to apply a first thermoplastic marking to a roadway surface area and a second thermoplastic marking, which comprises a color that contrasts with a color of the first thermoplastic marking, to another roadway surface area. The resulting contrast road marking has no visible or substantially negligible overlap or gap between the individual thermoplastic markings.

A bead flow sensor module includes a housing, a beam, and a sensor. The beam extends into a flow channel of the housing through which a flow of beads and compressed air flows. The sensor outputs a signal indicative of bead impacts on the beam. A system incorporating the bead flow sensor module includes a compressed air source, a bead hopper, and a bead dispenser. The compressed air source delivers a flow of compressed air to the bead hopper. A flow of beads carried by the compressed air discharges from the bead hopper along a flow pathway connecting the bead hopper to the bead dispenser. The bead flow sensor module positioned along the flow pathway outputs the signal from which a bead flow volume through the bead dispenser is determined.

A bead flow sensor module includes a housing, a beam, and a sensor. The beam extends into a flow channel of the housing through which a flow of beads and compressed air flows. The sensor outputs a signal indicative of bead impacts on the beam. A system incorporating the bead flow sensor module includes a compressed air source, a bead hopper, and a bead dispenser. The compressed air source delivers a flow of compressed air to the bead hopper. A flow of beads carried by the compressed air discharges from the bead hopper along a flow pathway connecting the bead hopper to the bead dispenser. The bead flow sensor module positioned along the flow pathway outputs the signal from which a bead flow volume through the bead dispenser is determined.

A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.

A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.

An example method includes storing surface treatment data to specify at least one selected surface treatment to apply at a target location along a vehicle path of travel, the surface treatment data including a machine-readable description and a reference coordinate frame for the selected surface treatment. The method also includes generating task plan data to apply the selected surface treatment based on the surface treatment data and at least one parameter of an application tool. The method also includes determining a location and orientation of the application tool with respect to the vehicle path of travel based on location data representing a current location of a vehicle carrying the application tool. The method also includes computing a joint-space trajectory to enable the application tool to apply the selected surface treatment at the target location based on the task plan data and the determined location of the application tool.

An example method includes storing surface treatment data to specify at least one selected surface treatment to apply at a target location along a vehicle path of travel, the surface treatment data including a machine-readable description and a reference coordinate frame for the selected surface treatment. The method also includes generating task plan data to apply the selected surface treatment based on the surface treatment data and at least one parameter of an application tool. The method also includes determining a location and orientation of the application tool with respect to the vehicle path of travel based on location data representing a current location of a vehicle carrying the application tool. The method also includes computing a joint-space trajectory to enable the application tool to apply the selected surface treatment at the target location based on the task plan data and the determined location of the application tool.

The invention pertains to pavement marking patterns and the application thereof to roads, streets, walkways and the like. Various pattern marking designs replicate bricks, cobblestones, horizontal signage, logos and other components. The marking patterns are composed of two or more independent sections, the first section is a grid representing for example, the mortar joints in a brick wall. The second sections or inserts, for example represent bricks which are contained within the grid. As the first and second sections are generally formed from different colored, preferably thermoplastic materials, a hot melt adhesive spray is utilized on the bottom surface of the marking pattern bridging the intersections between the first and second sections, maintaining the integrity of the marking pattern for convenience during handling and application to a substrate. Preferably the hot melt spray adhesive has approximately the same softening point range as the pattern sections for heat treatment during application.

The invention pertains to pavement marking patterns and the application thereof to roads, streets, walkways and the like. Various pattern marking designs replicate bricks, cobblestones, horizontal signage, logos and other components. The marking patterns are composed of two or more independent sections, the first section is a grid representing for example, the mortar joints in a brick wall. The second sections or inserts, for example represent bricks which are contained within the grid. As the first and second sections are generally formed from different colored, preferably thermoplastic materials, a hot melt adhesive spray is utilized on the bottom surface of the marking pattern bridging the intersections between the first and second sections, maintaining the integrity of the marking pattern for convenience during handling and application to a substrate. Preferably the hot melt spray adhesive has approximately the same softening point range as the pattern sections for heat treatment during application.

A hot applied thermoplastic pavement composition and method of using is described wherein the composition comprises; a modified polyamide resin in the range of between 3 and 10 percent by weight, wherein the composition contains rosin-modified esters, a copolymer, 30-70 percent by weight of a glass bead intermix, a range of between 1 and 15 percent by weight of either white or yellow pigment, the balance of the composition being selected from the group consisting of; one or more plasticizers, inorganic fillers, waxes, antioxidants and light stabilizers.