Abstract: A release agent spray system for a vehicle that is used for removing temporary tape from pavement surfaces. The release agent spray system includes a reservoir containing a release agent, a pump for pumping release agent from the reservoir, and a handheld sprayer connected to the reservoir by a fluid conduit or tube and connected electrically to the pump. The handheld sprayer includes an activation switch for activating the pump to deliver release agent from the reservoir to the handheld sprayer.

Abstract: Non-ridable and non-motorized machines for removing temporary tape that include a chassis or frame having front and rear wheels, a vertical support post mounted on the frame or chassis between the front and rear wheels, a horizontal arm mounted on the vertical support post, and a rotatable spool assembly attached to one end of the horizontal arm for winding used temporary tape thereon, wherein the horizontal arm is rotatably coupled to the vertical support to allow the spool assembly to be positioned on either side of the chassis when the horizontal arm is rotated with respect to the vertical support post. The non-ridable temporary tape removal machine can be manually and guided along a pavement during a tape removal operation. The non-motorized temporary tape removal machines can be or coupled to an auxiliary motorized device that pushes the non-motorized temporary tape removal machine during a tape removal operation.

Abstract: A release agent spray system for a vehicle that is used for removing temporary tape from pavement surfaces. The release agent spray system includes a reservoir containing a release agent, a pump for pumping release agent from the reservoir, and a handheld sprayer connected to the reservoir by a fluid conduit or tube and connected electrically to the pump. The handheld sprayer includes an activation switch for activating the pump to deliver release agent from the reservoir to the handheld sprayer.

Abstract: A one-piece integrally molded tape removal hub for a temporary tape removing apparatus which includes a length of cylindrical tube and a sleeve having a noncircular through bore extending into a portion of the cylindrical tube at an end thereof. A plurality of webs extend from the outer surface of the sleeve to the inner wall of the cylindrical tube. The portion of the cylindrical tube extending from the sleeve to the opposite end of the cylindrical tube is hollow.

Abstract: A one-piece integrally molded tape removal hub for a temporary tape removing apparatus which includes a length of cylindrical tube and a sleeve having a noncircular through bore extending into a portion of the cylindrical tube at an end thereof. A plurality of webs extend from the outer surface of the sleeve to the inner wall of the cylindrical tube. The portion of the cylindrical tube extending from the sleeve to the opposite end of the cylindrical tube is hollow.

Abstract: A roller arm assembly for a temporary tape removal machines which roller assembly supports a spool assembly on a vehicle that removes temporary tape from a pavement surface. The roller assembly is attached to a chassis or frame of the vehicle and is pivotal between a raised and lowered position. The roller assembly includes a lower arm member and an upper arm member which are rotatably coupled together. The upper arm member supports a spool assembly and a hydraulic motor that rotates the spool assembly. The upper arm of the roller assembly can be rotated with respect to the lower arm to allow the spool assembly to be position on either side of the vehicle chassis or frame.

Abstract: A tape removal hub for a temporary tape removing apparatus which includes a hub plug having a noncircular through bore complementarily shaped to receive the noncircular shaft portion of a spool spindle shaft of the temporary tape removing apparatus and a length of pipe or tubing into which the hub plug is inserted.

Abstract: An auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger for improving the melting efficiency of melter kettles used to melt thermoplastic pavement marking materials. The auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger includes a heat transfer tube bundle having a plurality of heat transfer tubes in which the flow of molten thermoplastic material reverses directions at least once. Hot heat transfer oils flows around the plurality of heat transfer tubes. Molten thermoplastic material is pumped from the bottom of a melter kettle, through the auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and to the top of the melter kettle. A drainage system is provided to drain molten thermoplastic material and any settled glass beads form the auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and a purging system is provided to purge molten thermoplastic material form the auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger using compressed air.

Abstract: An auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger for improving the melting efficiency of melter kettles used to melt thermoplastic pavement marking materials. The auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger includes a heat transfer tube bundle having a plurality of heat transfer tubes in which the flow of molten thermoplastic material reverses directions at least once. Hot heat transfer oils flows around the plurality of heat transfer tubes. Vertical material transfer tubes connect between the bottom of the melter kettle and the top of the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and between the bottom of the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and the top of the melter kettle. Augers within the vertical material transfer tubes driven by reversible drive motors cause molten thermoplastic material to flow from the bottom of the melter kettle, through the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger, and into the top of the melter kettle.

Abstract: An auxiliary heating means for improving the melting efficiency of melter kettles used to melt thermoplastic pavement marking materials. The auxiliary heating means includes a tube assembly through which thermoplastic material received from the bottom of the melter kettle is transferred to the top of the melter kettle. The tube assembly comprises an odd number of tubes having augers therein. The tube assembly is coupled to a side portion of the melter kettle and located within a heat chamber through which hot combustion gases from a combustion chamber at the bottom of the melter kettle flow and transfer heat into the tube assembly. The heat chamber comprises an extended portion of a heat chamber that surrounds the melter kettle.

Abstract: An auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger for improving the melting efficiency of melter kettles used to melt thermoplastic pavement marking materials. The auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger includes a heat transfer tube bundle having a plurality of heat transfer tubes in which the flow of molten thermoplastic material reverses directions at least once. Hot heat transfer oils flows around the plurality of heat transfer tubes. Vertical material transfer tubes connect between the bottom of the melter kettle and the top of the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and between the bottom of the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and the top of the melter kettle. Augers within the vertical material transfer tubes driven by reversible drive motors cause molten thermoplastic material to flow from the bottom of the melter kettle, through the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger, and into the top of the melter kettle.

Abstract: An auxiliary heat exchanger that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The auxiliary heat exchanger receives molten thermoplastic material from the bottom of a melter kettle, transports the molten thermoplastic material though the auxiliary heat exchanger and feeds the molten thermoplastic material into the top of the melter kettle thereby mixing hotter molten thermoplastic material from the bottom of the melter kettle into cooler thermoplastic material near the top of the melter kettle. The auxiliary heat exchanger includes an oil bath chamber and parallel heat transfer tubes that are arranged in a serpentine configuration and include motor drive augers to transport molten thermoplastic material through the auxiliary heat exchanger.

Abstract: A thermoplastic melter kettle having a heat dome chamber from which combustion gases are exhausted through a conduit that connects between a top of the heat dome chamber and the top of the melter kettle. An adjustable venting arrangement coupled to the conduit allows for adjustment of the flow of exhaust gases through the conduit.

Abstract: An auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger for improving the melting efficiency of melter kettles used to melt thermoplastic pavement marking materials. The auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger includes a heat transfer tube bundle having a plurality of heat transfer tubes in which the flow of molten thermoplastic material reverses directions at least once. Hot heat transfer oils flows around the plurality of heat transfer tubes. Molten thermoplastic material is pumped from the bottom of a melter kettle, through the auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and to the top of the melter kettle. A drainage system is provided to drain molten thermoplastic material and any settled glass beads form the auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and a purging system is provided to purge molten thermoplastic material form the auxiliary multi-pass tube bundle heat exchanger using compressed air.

Abstract: A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

Abstract: An auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger for improving the melting efficiency of melter kettles used to melt thermoplastic pavement marking materials. The auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger includes a heat transfer tube bundle having a plurality of heat transfer tubes in which the flow of molten thermoplastic material reverses directions at least once. Hot heat transfer oils flows around the plurality of heat transfer tubes. Vertical material transfer tubes connect between the bottom of the melter kettle and the top of the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and between the bottom of the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and the top of the melter kettle. Augers within the vertical material transfer tubes driven by reversible drive motors cause molten thermoplastic material to flow from the bottom of the melter kettle, through the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger, and into the top of the melter kettle.

Abstract: A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

Abstract: A temporary tape removal apparatus that includes: a chassis having fixed and guiding wheels; a boom arm extending outward from the chassis and being movable between up and down and side to side positions; a spool assembly including a rotatable spool for winding used temporary tape thereon mounted on the boom arm; and controllable drive means to rotate the rotatable spool. Using the apparatus to remove lane marking tape from pavements involves moving the temporary tape removal apparatus along a pavement having a length of lane marking tape thereon, and pulling the lane marking tape off the pavement by winding the tape onto the spool. Single lines of tape can be removed and multiple lines of tape can simultaneously be removed. The removed tape is spooled on disposable cores for disposal.

Abstract: A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

Abstract: An auxiliary heating means for improving the melting efficiency of melter kettles used to melt thermoplastic pavement marking materials. The auxiliary heating means includes a tube assembly through which thermoplastic material received from the bottom of the melter kettle is transferred to the top of the melter kettle. The tube assembly comprises an odd number of tubes having augers therein. The tube assembly is coupled to a side portion of the melter kettle and located within a heat chamber through which hot combustion gases from a combustion chamber at the bottom of the melter kettle flow and transfer heat into the tube assembly. The heat chamber comprises an extended portion of a heat chamber that surrounds the melter kettle.