Device and method for coating material with resin and subsequently laying the material saturated with the resin onto a surface

Abstract

A device for coating material with resin and subsequently laying the material saturated with the resin onto a surface, the device comprising a vessel for retaining the resin, the vessel having a slot sized and configured so that the material is passable through the slot after being coated with resin retained in the vessel, and a first and a second roller being arranged on either side of the slot or behind the slot.

Claims

1. A device for coating material with resin and subsequently laying the material saturated with the resin onto a surface, the device comprising: a frame comprising an operator handle; a vessel for retaining the resin, the vessel being supported by the frame and comprising a slot sized and configured so that the material is passable through the slot after being coated with resin retained in the vessel, and a first roller and a second roller being arranged adjacent to the slot; and an adjustment mechanism comprising a supporting member pivotally connected to the frame at a point of the supporting member between a first end of the supporting member that supports the first roller and a second end of the supporting member, an adjustment handle positioned adjacent to the operation handle, and a cable spanning from the second end and the adjustment handle such that moving the adjustment handle pulls or pushes the cable causing the supporting member to rotate about the point, thereby moving the first roller relative to the second roller to adjust a distance between the first roller and the second roller and adjust a width of the slot.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a first guide member comprising a first lamella or a first vane or a first plate is adjacent to the first roller for (1) guiding the material saturated with the resin or (2) sealing the first roller with respect to a vessel main body to prevent resin from leaking.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a second guide member comprising a second lamella or a second vane or a second plate is adjacent to the second roller for (1) guiding the material saturated with the resin or (2) sealing the second roller with respect to the vessel main body to prevent resin from leaking.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one stopping member is arranged at least partially between the first and second rollers for stopping a sideward flow of resin between the first and second rollers.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second rollers comprise a metal component and a plastic component.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the metal component comprises a core member, a tubular member or a cylindrical member, the metal component comprising steel and the plastic component comprises a polymer coating.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a material roller from which rolled material is unrolled; and a tension adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tension of the unrolled material.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising conical centering cones for centering a roller core of the material roller.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the tension adjustment mechanism comprises one or more movable members and an actuating member for moving the one or more movable members towards or away from the material to be saturated with resin, wherein at least one of the one or more movable members is rotationally movable, translationally movable, or both rotationally and translationally movable.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the one or more movable members contacts a rolled portion of the material to be saturated with resin.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising an arresting means for arresting the actuating member in at least two different positions.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more movable members are springs.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more side wheels being provided on only one side of the device or on both sides of the device.

14. A method of applying a reinforcing material for waterproofing or roofing of a structure comprising: coating a material with a liquid resin via the device of claim 1; and laying the material saturated with the resin on a surface or a subsurface of the structure via the device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: adjusting the distance between the first and second rollers by rotation of the first roller about the point via the supporting member; and adjusting a tension of the unrolled material between a material roller on which the material is rolled and a free end of the material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. These show:

(2) FIG. 1 A side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device for coating a sheet of material and applying the sheet of material to a surface;

(3) FIG. 2 A further side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 A side perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 A front view of the device of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 A perspective view of a portion of the device of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 A perspective view of another portion of the device of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 A portion of a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 A perspective cross-section of a portion of the device of FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 A perspective cross-section of a portion of the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

(11) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for a coating material with resin and subsequently laying the material saturated with the resin onto a surface. The material may be applied onto a surface of a structure such as a roof, floor of a deck, or a subsurface of a structure. The device includes a frame 10 and wheels 11 so that the device is moveable along the surface for applying the coated material. A handle 12 (see also FIG. 3) is attached to the frame 10 (and may be moveable from a stowed position to an operative position). A user may grasp the handle 12 to push and/or pull the device and steer the device.

(12) Pointers 13 may be positioned adjacent opposite sides of the frame 10. The pointers 13 may provide a visual indicator that helps the user steer the device to facilitate the laying of saturated material and to help overlay edges of immediately adjacent rows of laid material.

(13) The frame 10 supports a resin vessel 14 that may contain a liquid resin. In addition, the frame 10 supports a material roller 15 (in general material holder) onto which material 16 to be saturated with resin is rolled. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a free end 17 of the material 16 is applied on the ground. Adjustable conical centering cones 39 may center a roller core 40 of the material roller 15, even if different material rollers with different roller cores 40 are used (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In order to saturate the material 16 with resin, it is moved through the vessel 14 filled with liquid resin. The material exits the vessel via slot 38 (see FIG. 8).

(14) A tension adjustment mechanism 18 (see FIG. 3) comprises (a pair of pivotally) moveable members 19 which may come in pressed contact with the material on the material roll 15 (see also FIG. 7). The moveable members 19 may have an elongated plate-shape. The moveable members 19 can be moved by actuating members 20 so that they can be pressed against the roller 15, wherein such pressing force can be regulated by the actuating members 20. The actuating members 20 can be arrested in different positions via arresting means 21 which can be arrested in corresponding arresting means at the frame and/or the handle (not shown in the figures). The arresting means 21 may comprise on or more recess(es) and/or one or more projection(s).

(15) In particular FIG. 4 shows a plurality of side wheels 41. In general, one or more (e.g. at least two or at least three or at least four) side wheels 41 may be provided on (only) one side of the device or on both sides. These side wheels allow placing the device on its side so that it can be easier to place and/or carry, e.g. in a (cargo) elevator, if necessary.

(16) FIGS. 5, 8 and 9 show details of a first 23 and second 24 rollers which are arranged at the bottom of the vessel 14 and which guide the material 16 onto the surface to be coated with the material 16.

(17) A distance between the rollers and a width of the slot 38 can be regulated by a distance and/or slot adjusting mechanism 22. In order to adjust a distance between the rollers 23, 24, the first roller 23 can be pivoted (swivelled) around a rotation axis 25 (see FIG. 5). In order to pivot the first roller 23, a handle 26 (see for example FIG. 3) being connected with a cable 27 (see FIG. 5) is operated. Thereby, an end portion 28 of a supporting member 29, supporting the first roller 23 can be moved in the direction of an arrow 30. This movement may be assisted by one or more spring members (not shown in the figures). Via handle 26 a slot between the rollers 23, 24 may be adjusted.

(18) Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows a closing mechanism 31, for closing a distance between the rolls 23 and 24. Precisely, the closing mechanism 31 comprises a screw 32 via which the supporting member 29 can be rotated so that the first roller 23 approaches the second roller 24.

(19) As seen in FIG. 8, each of the first and second rollers 23 and 24 are in contact with a first vane 33 and a second vane 34, respectively. First vane 33 and second vane 34 function as guide members for guiding the material 16 in the direction of the rolls 23 and 24. Moreover, first vane 33 and second vane 34 seal the rollers 23, 24 with respect to the vessel 14. Moreover, a stopping member 35 is provided on either end portion of the rollers 23, 24 and is located partially between the rollers 23, 24 in order to stop flow of resin in a sideward direction.

(20) A third 36 and fourth 37 (upper) roller are arranged between the material roller 15 (see FIG. 6) and the vessel 14. These rollers 36, 37 may further reduce wrinkling of the material 16. These rollers further enhance the process of applying saturated material. In particular, the risk of movement (sailing) of the fabric (when working under windy conditions) is reduced (to a great extent).

REFERENCE SIGNS

(21) 10 Frame 11 Wheel 12 Handle 13 Pointer 14 Vessel 15 Material roller 16 Material 17 Free End 18 Tension adjustment mechanism 19 Moveable member 20 Actuating member 21 Arresting means 22 Distance and/or slot adjustment mechanism 23 First roller 24 Second roller 25 Rotation axis 26 Handle (for adjusting a slot between the rollers 23, 24) 27 Cable 28 End portion 29 Supporting member 30 Arrow 31 Closing mechanism 32 Screw 33 First vane 34 Second vane 35 Stopping member 36 Third roller 37 Fourth roller 38 Slot 39 centering cone 40 roller core 41 side wheel