Applicator for floor coatings, and methods

Abstract

An applicator system, including an application head, for applying a coating composition onto a surface, such as a floor. The head is particularly suited for applying a consistent thin coating, such as coating less than 5 mil thick, on the surface, following the gross contours of the surface. The coating can be a two-component or two-part system, and can have a high solids level. The head is suited for applying a coating composition with an applicator system that includes a multi-compartment plastic bag or pouch, to separate individual components of the coating composition prior to reacting the individual components together to form the coating composition, the pouch having internal seals that are readily and controllably rupturable.

1 . A tool for spreading a liquid evenly over a surface, the tool comprising:
 a handle;   a head connected to the handle, the head including a convex end profile with a grooved contact surface;   wherein the handle and head are configured so that about the same amount of the grooved contact surface is in contact with a horizontal surface while the handle is inclined between about 30 to about 60 degrees relative to the horizontal surface.   
     
     
         2 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle and head are configured so that about the same amount of the grooved contact surface is in contact with a horizontal surface while the handle is inclined between about 10 to about 80 degrees relative to the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         3 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle and head are configured so that about the same amount of the grooved contact surface is in contact with a horizontal surface while the handle is inclined between about 0 to about 90 degrees relative to the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         4 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the convex end profile is curved at about a constant curvature. 
     
     
         5 . The tool according to  claim 4 , wherein the radius of curvature is between about 0.1875-5.0 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves that are about 0.02-0.070 inches apart from center to center. 
     
     
         7 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves that are about 0.02-0.03 inches high. 
     
     
         8 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves with rectangular profiles. 
     
     
         9 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves with triangular profiles. 
     
     
         10 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves with domed profiles. 
     
     
         11 . The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid the grooved contact surface is configured to apply has a dynamic viscosity of less or equal to about 25,000 centipoise. 
     
     
         12 . A tool for spreading a liquid evenly over a surface, the tool comprising:
 a head configured to be attached to a handle, the head including a convex end profile with a grooved contact surface;   wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves that are about 0.02-0.07 inches apart from center to center and grooves that are about 0.02-0.03 inches high.   
     
     
         13 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves with rectangular profiles. 
     
     
         14 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves with triangular profiles. 
     
     
         15 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein grooved contact surface includes at least grooves with domed profiles. 
     
     
         16 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the head is configured so that about the same amount of the grooved contact surface is in contact with a horizontal surface while the head is rotated through at least about 30 degrees relative to the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         17 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the head is configured so that about the same amount of the grooved contact surface is in contact with a horizontal surface while the head is rotated through at least about 70 degrees relative to the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         18 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the head is configured so that about the same amount of the grooved contact surface is in contact with a horizontal surface while the head is rotated through at least about 90 degrees relative to the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         19 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the width of the head is between about 2 to 24 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the radius of curvature of the grooves on the grooved contact surface is less than about 4 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the grooved contact surface comprises a polymeric construction. 
     
     
         22 . The tool according to  claim 12 , wherein the liquid the grooved contact surface is configured to apply has a dynamic viscosity of less or equal to about 25,000 centipoise.