Apparatus for applying thermoplastic marking material to a pavement surface
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying thermoplastic marking material to a pavement surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a hopper for holding a supply of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state;
means for conveying the thermoplastic marking material from the hopper to a continuous melt processor;
a conduit from the continuous melt processor to a dispenser that directs molten thermoplastic marking material to the pavement surface; and
means for heating the continuous melt processor and conduit to a temperature that is higher than the melt temperature of the thermoplastic marking material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for applying thermoplastic marking material to a pavement surface. The apparatus includes a hopper for holding a supply of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state, a means for conveying the thermoplastic marking material from the hopper to a continuous melt processor, and a conduit from the continuous melt processor to a dispenser that directs molten thermoplastic marking material to the pavement surface. The apparatus further includes means for heating the continuous melt processor and conduit to a temperature that is higher than the melt temperature of the thermoplastic marking material. The present invention also provides a method of applying a thermoplastic marking material to a pavement surface. The method includes conveying a stream of particulate thermoplastic marking material stored in a non-molten state in a hopper to a heated continuous melt processor in communication with the hopper, wherein the stream of thermoplastic marking material exits the continuous melt processor in a molten state, and pumping the stream of molten thermoplastic marking material through a heated conduit from the continuous melt processor to a dispenser that directs the molten thermoplastic marking material to the pavement surface.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying thermoplastic marking material to a pavement surface, the apparatus comprising:
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a hopper for holding a supply of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state;
means for conveying the thermoplastic marking material from the hopper to a continuous melt processor;
a conduit from the continuous melt processor to a dispenser that directs molten thermoplastic marking material to the pavement surface; and
means for heating the continuous melt processor and conduit to a temperature that is higher than the melt temperature of the thermoplastic marking material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A self-propelled apparatus for applying thermoplastic marking material to a pavement surface, the apparatus comprising:
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a hopper for holding a supply of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state;
an auger for conveying the thermoplastic marking material from the hopper to a continuous melt processor;
a conduit from the continuous melt processor to a manifold that selectively distributes molten thermoplastic marking material to one or more of a plurality of spray dispensers in fluid communication with the manifold, the spray dispensers directing molten thermoplastic marking material to the pavement surface; and
means for heating the continuous melt processor and conduit to a temperature that is higher than the melt temperature of the thermoplastic marking material. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method of applying a thermoplastic marking material to a pavement surface comprising:
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conveying a stream of particulate thermoplastic marking material stored in a non-molten state in a hopper to a heated continuous melt processor in communication with the hopper, the stream of thermoplastic marking material exiting the continuous melt processor in a molten state; and
pumping the stream of molten thermoplastic marking material through a heated conduit from the continuous melt processor to a dispenser that directs the molten thermoplastic marking material to the pavement surface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification