Road structure – process – or apparatus – Process – In situ treatment of earth or roadway
Patent
1995-01-17
1996-08-13
Buiz, Michael Powell
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Process
In situ treatment of earth or roadway
404 94, 26099819, 523172, 427137, B05D 500, B05D 724
Patent
active
055449727
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for applying horizontal markings to roads or other traffic areas, using water-thinnable emulsion paints.
2. Description of the Related Art
Horizontal markings, especially limiting, guiding and warning lines, are generally applied using a marking vehicle which is equipped with paint spray guns for spraying the marking paint and, optionally, with bead scatterers for applying reflective beads, as described, for example, in EP-B-0 280 102.
Marking paints containing solvents are known generally, but their use is being increasingly criticized for reasons of environmental protection. Also known are water-thinnable emulsion paints, which are more environmentally friendly.
A disadvantage common to both types of marking paints, however, is a fairly long drying time, of in general from 10 to 30 minutes. At a drying time of, for example 20 minutes and a marking rate of 6 km/h, therefore, it is necessary to close off a stretch of 2 km at a time behind the operations site with the aid of a blocking gang, resulting in considerable hindrances and hold-ups for traffic. Furthermore, marking work has to be interrupted in inclement weather and when rain threatens, so as to avoid the possible running of paint which has not yet become water resistant.
EP-A-0 200 249 describes a process in which an aqueous emulsion paint is caused to dry within 15 minutes--in specific cases in 6 minutes--after application, by the addition of a water-soluble salt, for example sodium chloride, calcium chloride or the like. The quantity of salt is from approximately 15 to 25 g per m.sup.2 of painted surface.
EP-A-0 409 459 describes acid-coagulable emulsion paints which contain, in particular, an anionic stabilized polymer emulsion and a polyfunctional amino polymer and which are stabilized in the alkaline range by a volatile base. After application the base evaporates, so that the pH falls and, as it passes the pH of coagulation, the paint solidifies. The drying time is from 10 to 20 minutes or more, depending on the temperature and the degree of atmospheric humidity, which are factors which affect the evaporation of the base.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus which together permit marking work to be carried out with shorter paint drying times, which are largely independent of the weather, and which therefore make it possible to work even in unfavourable weather conditions, irrespective of atmospheric humidity and temperature, and with virtually no closure of the road.
This object is achieved, with respect to the method, by the features specified in the characterizing clause of claim 1 and, with respect to the apparatus, by the features indicated in claim 9.
The application of the paint and of the acid is carried out by methods which are well known to the person skilled in the art, preferably by spraying.
The invention makes it possible to shorten the drying time of the paint, and with it the time before it is possible to drive--in the road-traffic sense--over the paint to only from about one to two minutes or even less, depending on the coat thickness and application method, and thus to a fraction of the drying times which were previously required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is illustrated in more detail, with reference to the drawings, by exemplary embodiments. In the drawings
FIG. 1 shows a first example of a marking vehicle (which is only vaguely indicated) with a paint spray gun, a reflective-bead scatterer and a nozzle for spraying acid on to the marking,
FIG. 2 shows a second example, in which the acid is sprayed directly into the jet of paint,
FIG. 3 shows a third example, in which a bead scatterer scatters reflective beads, which have been treated beforehand with acid, into the jet of paint,
FIG. 4 shows a fourth example, in which the installations illustrated in FIG. 1 on the marking vehicle are supplemented by further installations,
REFERENCES:
patent: 4031048 (1977-06-01), Holmen et al.
patent: 4175064 (1979-11-01), Landau et al.
patent: 4690958 (1987-09-01), Lacoste et al.
patent: 4839198 (1989-06-01), Lonis et al.
patent: 4856931 (1989-08-01), Bollag
Buiz Michael Powell
Lisehora James A.
Plastiroute S.A.
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