System, method, and composition for adhering performed thermoplastic traffic control signage to pavement

• US 20070059441A1
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flint Acquisition Corp.
• Original Assignee: LKF Incorporated
• Inventors: Greer, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,317,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/136
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/512 Preformed road surface markings, e.g. of sheet material; Methods of applying preformed markings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for adhering detectable warning devices, pavement markings and preformed traffic control devices (turn arrows, stop bars) that are hydrocarbon or alkyd thermoplastic in nature to an uncured or “green” concrete substrate providing permanent adhesion for detectable warning devices, pedestrian and traffic control markings.

Claims

1. A system for coating or bonding or both coating and bonding a first underlying substrate, wherein a second substrate comprises a curable composition which is bonded to said first underlying substrate, wherein said curable composition second substrate is further bonded with a third substrate, said third substrate comprising an optionally preformed thermoplastic signage and optionally an adhesive sheet, wherein said first, second, and third substrate are further subjected to heating.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first underlying substrate comprises uncured concrete.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said uncured concrete has been previously shaped and formed within about 24 hours to about 2 weeks.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein said uncured concrete provides a moist, damp, or wet surface.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first underlying substrate requires no laitance removal.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first underlying substrate requires no preheating.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first underlying substrate is any traffic surface.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said traffic surface is for pedestrian, motorized vehicles, aircraft, human powered conveyences, programmable robotics and the like.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said second substrate composition is comprised primarily of any curable epoxy including moisture curable epoxy.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said curable epoxy comprises a one part or multiple part composition or mixture and said mixture is optionally a isocyanate-functional prepolymer, an effective amount of terpene-phenolic resin, and an effective amount of a silane compound.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein said curable epoxy comprises a one or two part epoxy, multi-component polyurethane, silicone adhesive, UV/EB curable adhesive, UV/EB curable resins, and combinations thereof.

12. A system according to claim 9, wherein said curable epoxy comprises a viscosity of about 10 centipoise to about 500 centipoise.

13. A system according to claim 9, wherein application of said curable epoxy is by brush, roller, sprayer or the like.

14. A system according to claim 9, wherein said curable epoxy remains uncured from about 1 minute to about 60 minutes.

15. A system according to claim 9, wherein said third substrate includes a layer which is a thermoplastic signage.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said thermoplastic signage comprises hydrocarbon based polymers.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said hydrocarbon polymers are comprised of binders, resins, pigments, fillers and optionally reflective components.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said resins are comprised of maelic modified resin ester, C5 hydrocarbon, plasticizer, vegetable oils, phthalate esters, mineral oil, castor oil, wax/flexibilizer, paraffin wax, polyamide, EVA or SBS elastomers.

19. A system according to claim 17, wherein said pigments are comprised of titanium dioxide, lead chromate, and/or organic dyes.

20. A system according to claim 17, wherein said fillers are comprised of calcium carbonates.

21. A system according to claim 17, wherein said optional reflective components are comprised of glass beads.

22. A system according to claim 15, wherein said thermoplastic signage comprises alkyd polymers.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein said alkyd polymers are generally comprised of binders, resins, pigments, fillers and optionally reflective components.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said resins are comprised of maelic modified resin ester, rosin ester, plasticizer, vegetable oils, phthalate esters, mineral oil, castor oil, wax/flexibilizer, paraffin wax, polyamide, EVA or SBS elastomers.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein said pigments are comprised of titanium dioxide, lead chromate and/or organic pigments.

26. A system according to claim 23, wherein said fillers are comprised of calcium carbonates.

27. A system according to claim 17, wherein said optional reflective components are comprised of glass beads.

28. A system according to claim 15, wherein said thermoplastic signage comprises detectable warning devices, pavement markings, traffic control markings and the like.

29. A system according to claim 15, wherein said thermoplastic signage may be in sheet, roll, flat, raised, strip or stripe form.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein said thermoplastic signage may be rolled, squeegeed, formed or the like to substantially conform to a surface of said second or third substrate.

31. A system according to claim 29, wherein said thermoplastic signage meets AASHTO Designation M 249-98 specifications.

32. A system according to claim 1, wherein the means of said heating comprises an open flame, closed flame, and/or an electronic resistive source optionally in a torch or heated roller form.

33. A system according to claim 1, wherein said heating may occur more than one time per said thermoplastic signage application.

34. A system according to claim 1, wherein said heating elevates the temperature of said thermoplastic signage to about 400 degrees F. to about 450 degrees F.

35. A system according to claim 32, wherein said thermoplastic signage softening point is from about 400 degrees F. to about 450 degrees F. as determined by ring and ball testing methods.

36. A system according to claim 1, wherein said heating of said thermoplastic signage causes said thermoplastic signage to flow into said second surface and into said first surface to a depth from about 0.001 mm to about 10 mm.

37. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first substrate, said second substrate, and said third substrate chemically and/or physically react to form bonds with each other.

38. A system according to claim 37, wherein said bond strength requirements for thermoplastic signage equal or exceed 180 psi.

39. A system according to claim 37, wherein said bond is preferrably from about 200 psi to about 500 psi.

54. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 1, comprising said third substrate including a layer which is thermoplastic signage.

55. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 54, comprising said thermoplastic signage comprising primarily hydrocarbon based polymers.

56. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 54, wherein said hydrocarbon based polymers are including the use of binders, resins, pigments, fillers and optionally reflective components.

57. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 55, wherein said resins are comprising;

maelic modified resin ester, C5 hydrocarbon, plasticizer, vegetable oils, phthalate esters, mineral oil, castor oil, wax/flexibilizer, paraffin wax, polyamide, EVA or SBS elastomers.

58. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 56, wherein said pigments are comprising;

titanium dioxide, lead chromate, and/or organic dyes.

59. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 56, wherein said fillers are comprising calcium carbonates.

60. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 56, wherein said optional reflective components are comprising glass beads.

61. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 54, wherein said thermoplastic signage are comprising alkyd polymers.

62. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 61, wherein said alkyd polymers are generally including binders, resins, pigments, fillers and optionally reflective components.

63. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 62, wherein said resins are comprising maelic modified resin ester, rosin ester, plasticizer, vegetable oils, phthalate esters, mineral oil, castor oil, wax/flexibilizer, paraffin wax, polyamide, EVA or SBS elastomers.

64. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 62, wherein said pigments are comprising titanium dioxide, lead chromate and/or organic dyes.

65. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 62, wherein said fillers are comprising calcium carbonates.

66. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 62, wherein said optional reflective components are comprising glass beads.

67. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 54, wherein said thermoplastic signage is comprising detectable warning devices, pavement markings, traffic control markings and the like.

68. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 54, wherein said thermoplastic signage may be used in sheeting, rolling, flattening, raising, stripping or striping form.

69. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 54, wherein said thermoplastic signage may be substantially conforming to a substrate surface by being rolled, squeegeed, formed or the like.

70. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 54, wherein said thermoplastic signage is designed for meeting AASHTO Designation M 249-98 specifications.

40. A method for coating or bonding or both coating and bonding a first underlying substrate, wherein a second substrate comprises a curable composition which is bonded to said first underlying substrate, wherein said curable composition second substrate is further bonded with a third substrate, said third substrate comprising an optionally preformed thermoplastic signage and optionally an adhesive sheet, wherein said first, second, and third substrate are further subjected to heating.

41. A method for coating or bonding or both according to claim 40, wherein said first substrate comprises uncured concrete.

42. A method for coating or bonding or both according to claim 41, wherein said uncured concrete has been previously shaped and formed within about 24 hours to about 2 weeks.

43. A method for coating or bonding or both according to claim 41, wherein said uncured concrete is providing a moist, damp, or wet surface.

44. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first underlying substrate requires no laitance removal.

45. A method according to claim 40, wherein said first underlying substrate requires no preheating.

46. A method for coating or bonding or both according to claim 40, wherein said first underlying substrate comprises any traffic surface.

47. A method for coating or bonding or both according to claim 46, using pedestrian, motorized vehicles, aircraft, human powered conveyences, programmable robotics and the like for said traffic surface.

48. A method for coating or bonding or both according to claim 40, comprising said second substrate which is primarily of any curable epoxy including moisture curable epoxy.

49. A method for coating or bonding or both according to claim 48, wherein said curable epoxy comprises a one part or multiple part composition or mixture and said mixture is optionally a isocyanate-functional prepolymer, an effective amount of terpene-phenolic resin, and an effective amount of a silane compound.

50. A method for coating or bonding or both according to claim 48, wherein said curable epoxy comprises a one or two part epoxy, multi-component polyurethane, silicone adhesive, UV/EB curable adhesive, UV/EB curable resins, and combinations thereof.

51. A method for bonding or curing or both according to claim 48, wherein said curable epoxy comprises a viscosity of about 10 centipoise to about 500 centipoise.

52. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 48, wherein application of said curable epoxy is by brushing, rolling, spraying or the like.

53. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 44, wherein said curable epoxy is remaining uncured from about 1 minute to about 60 minutes.

71. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 40, wherein heating comprises an open flaming, closed flaming, and/or an electronic resisting source optionally in a torch or heated roller form.

72. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 40, wherein said heating may be occurring more than one time per said thermoplastic signage application.

73. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 40, wherein said heating provides for elevating a temperature of said thermoplastic signage to about 400 degrees F. to about 450 degrees F.

74. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 73, wherein said thermoplastic signage softening point using ring and ball test methods is from about 400 degrees F. to about 450 degrees F.

75. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 73, wherein said heating of said thermoplastic signage is allowing said thermoplastic signage to begin flowing into said second surface and into said first surface penetrating to a depth from about 0.001 mm to about 10 mm.

76. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 73, reacting either physically or chemically or both optionally said first substrate to said second substrate, and optionally to said third substrate, thereby forming bonds with each other.

77. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 76, wherein said bonds strengthening requirements for thermoplastic signage equal or exceed 180 psi.

78. A method for coating or bonding according to claim 77, wherein said bonds strengthening requirements are preferrably from about 200 psi to about 500 psi.

79. A product combining coating or bonding or both coating and bonding a first underlying substrate, wherein a second substrate comprises a curable composition which is bonded to said first underlying substrate, wherein said curable composition second substrate is further bonded with a third substrate, said third substrate comprising an optionally preformed thermoplastic signage and optionally an adhesive sheet, wherein said first, second, and third substrate are further subjected to heating.