SCREED DIE IR ABSORBTION COATING

Abstract

The striper 10 has an aluminum die trough 12 and doctor gate 14 components having a black anodized Type 2 Class 2 coating. Other components 16 of the screed box 18 which are not intended to transfer hear are coated with a reflective E-nickel. These components 16 are more likely to be use to lift the screed box and will absorb less heat due to their reflective properties.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/228,724, filed Jul. 27, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Devices for applying thermal markings and striping to roadways and the like are well known.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention incorporates a combination of aluminum sheet metal parts with black anodized coating to improve the transfer of infrared energy to thermoplastic material. The material and coatings chosen offer high emisivity levels which allow for increased efficiency during infrared heat transfer.

The striper utilizes 10 gauge 5052 aluminum die trough and doctor gate components. These two components have a black anodized Type 2 Class 2 coating.

Other components of the screed box which are not intended to transfer hear are coated with a reflective E-nickel. These components are more likely to be use to lift the screed box and will absorb less heat due to their reflective properties.

Advantages of the invention include increased emissivity by a factor of 3. E-Nickel and zinc coatings reflect heat therefore reducing the risk of burn related injuries. The striper is less costly to operate due to more efficient use of fuel.

The thermoplastic is more likely to reach/maintain the ideal application temperature meaning higher quality lines. The higher wall of the screed box allows for greater heat retention.

Prior art devices use a short walled non-coated aluminum container to hold thermoplastic.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the IR burner and screed die.

FIG. 2 shows the variously coated parts of the screed die.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The striper 10 has an IR burner 20 and utilizes 10 gauge 5052 aluminum die trough 12 and doctor gate 14 components. These two components have a black anodized Type 2 Class 2 coating.

Other components 16 of the screed box 18 which are not intended to transfer hear are coated with a reflective E-nickel. These components 16 are more likely to be use to lift the screed box and will absorb less heat due to their reflective properties.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the screed box without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. In a thermoplastic line striper having non-heated material containing components and a screed box with walls, an aluminum die trough and a doctor gate, the improvement comprising coating said walls, said die trough and said doctor gate with a heat absorbing coating.

2. The line striper of claim 1 wherein said coating is a black anodized Type 2 Class 2 coating.

3. The line striper of claim 1 wherein said non-heated material containing components are coated with a reflective material.

4. The line striper of claim 3 wherein said reflective material coating is E-nickel.