ROOF TREATMENT DEVICE

Abstract

ROOF TREATMENT DEVICE Device for spraying a treatment liquid onto a roof (2) of a building (1) having at least one slope (3) from an upper edge or ridge (5), comprising: - at least one spray boom (6), - fixing means (8a – 8e), configured to fix said spray boom (6) along said upper edge or ridge (5) of said roof (2) and in an orientation in which the spraying is directed towards said slope (3), - a pipeline (11), connected to said spray boom (6), and having a second end (11b) at ground level or in the basement of said building (1), - a movable assembly (12) comprising a treatment liquid reservoir and pumping means configured to draw said treatment liquid contained in said reservoir and to inject it into said pipeline (11) to spray this liquid through the spray boom (6).Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: ROOF TREATMENT DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of treatment of building roofs, to ensure their cleaning and treatment against vegetation, in particular against moss and lichen type vegetation.

[0002] The lifespan of building roofs, particularly pitched roofs covered with ceramic, terracotta, concrete, bitumen or even wooden tiles or slabs, depends very largely on the vegetation that grows on the roof, particularly mosses and lichens. The destructive effect of this type of vegetation is due to the penetration of roots into the finest cracks and cavities in the roof coverings. The roots that have penetrated exert pressure on the material, which causes the cracks to widen or burst. The roof covering is then more vulnerable to the weather, particularly frost, which further increases bursting.

[0003] Thus, to extend the lifespan of building roofs, it is desirable to avoid the proliferation of plants, in particular mosses and lichens on the external surface of these roofs.

[0004] Until now, the external surface of such roofs has been periodically cleaned by mechanical cleaning and / or by spraying with chemical cleaning liquid, possibly followed by spraying with protective polymer which prevents further penetration by mosses and lichens. Such a possibility is described for example by document WO2005106158. It will be understood that such treatment requires the action of an operator who holds and moves a portable liquid spraying device. The operator must be present on the roof itself, which presents a risk of accident by falling, or on a lifting device, which entails a significant cost and is not without the risk of accident.

[0005] To avoid the above drawbacks, it has also been proposed to fix, in the vicinity of the upper part of the roof, copper elements on which rainwater can run off. Rainwater dissolves the components of the copper elements, and distributes them by runoff on the roof. The dissolved components oppose plant growth, in particular the growth of mosses and lichens, and tend to make them disappear. However, experience shows that this device is not sufficiently efficient. In particular, the distribution of the dissolved components is not sufficiently regular, and does not extend sufficiently, particularly when the roof has a large surface area. Statement of the invention

[0006] A problem addressed by the present invention is to avoid the drawbacks of known devices for treating building roofs, by designing means which ensure satisfactory treatment of roofs without, however, requiring the presence of an operator on the roof itself or on a lifting device.

[0007] At the same time, the invention aims to enable satisfactory treatment of a roof by a non-professional operator, for example by the owner of a villa himself or by the manager of a collective building, without requiring any particular skill.

[0008] To achieve these and other objects, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for treating a building roof having at least a first sloped section from an upper edge or ridge, by spraying a treatment liquid onto said roof, the device comprising: - at least one first spray bar, elongated between a first open supply end and a second closed end or connected to a second end of a second spray bar, and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around at least one first spray plane, - fixing means, shaped to fix said first spray bar along said upper edge or ridge of said roof and in an orientation in which said at least one first spray plane is directed towards said first inclined section, - a pipe, having a first end shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to said first end of the first spray bar, having a second end, and having a sufficient length so that its second end is at ground or basement level of said building when its first end is connected to said first spray bar, - a reservoir, shaped to contain said treatment liquid, having an inlet through which said treatment liquid can be introduced into the reservoir, and having an outlet through which said treatment liquid can exit, - pumping means designed to collect through said outlet said treatment liquid contained in said reservoir and to inject it into said second end of the pipeline at a pressure sufficient to carry out said spraying of this liquid by the first spray bar.

[0009] In an embodiment allowing the spraying of a treatment liquid on a building roof having a first and a second inclined slope on either side of an upper ridge, the device comprises: - said first spray bar, elongated between its first open supply end and its second closed end or connected to a second end of a second spray bar, and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around a first spray plane, - a second spray bar, elongated between a first open supply end and a second end closed or connected to the second end of the first spray bar, and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around a second spray plane, - fixing means, shaped to fix said first spray bar along said upper ridge of said roof and in a first orientation in which said first spray plane is directed towards said first inclined section, and shaped to fix said second spray bar along said upper ridge of said roof and in a second orientation in which said second spray plane is directed towards said second inclined section, - said pipe being shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to the respective first ends of one and the other of the first and second spray bars.

[0010] According to a first embodiment, the spray bar(s) are visible, made of copper or copper alloy, and placed on the ridge of the roof while being uncovered and capable of receiving rain. This combines the action of the treatment liquid and the action of the rain which dissolves the chemical components of the copper spray bars, and distributes them by runoff on the roof.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the spray bar(s) are made of crosslinked polyethylene and are placed on the ridge of the roof, topped with a copper or copper alloy sheet. This also combines the action of the treatment liquid and the action of the rain which dissolves the chemical components of the copper or copper alloy sheet, and distributes them by runoff on the roof. Furthermore, making the spray bar(s) of crosslinked polyethylene is more economical.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the spray bar(s) are concealed, made of crosslinked polyethylene, and placed on the ridge of the roof, being topped by ridge tiles.

[0013] In practice, the spray bar(s) may advantageously be provided with spray or misting nozzles distributed according to their length and shaped to spray the treatment liquid. The production of the spray bars is thus simplified.

[0014] Preferably, the spray bar(s) are further configured to spray treatment liquid also upwards around the upper edge or ridge of the roof. In practice, it may be provided that certain spray or misting nozzles of each spray bar are oriented downstream of the roof according to a respective spraying plane, and that additional spray or misting nozzles are oriented upwards around the upper edge or ridge of the roof, to supplement the spraying of treatment liquid and avoid possible lack of spraying on the surfaces to be treated.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment: - the tank and the pumping means are mounted on a movable trolley, - the pumping means are connected to the pipeline in a removable manner.

[0016] In this way, the treatment liquid supply means constitute a removable assembly which can be disconnected and stored away from the location of use, for example inside in a cellar or basement, and / or which can be moved to treat other buildings.

[0017] Advantageously, it can be provided that: - the pumping means comprise a pump driven by an electric motor designed to be powered by an electrical energy source via a switch, - the tank is associated with a liquid level sensor configured to open said switch and thus interrupt the power supply to said electric motor when the liquid level inside the tank is below a predetermined minimum level.

[0018] The pumping means are thus protected against possible damage resulting from empty operation, so that the device can be used by an inexperienced operator.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a building with a roof having at least one slope inclined from an upper edge or ridge, said building being provided with a roof treatment device as defined above, said at least one spray bar being fixed along said upper edge or ridge of said roof, said pipe having its first end connected in a sealed manner to said spray bar and having its second end at ground or basement level of said building to be removably connected to a movable assembly comprising said tank and said pumping means.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the invention, the use of a roof treatment device as defined above is proposed for treating the roof of a building. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic side view of a building provided with a processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a front view of the building with the treatment device;

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a top view of the building with the treatment device;

[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a partial front view illustrating two spray booms fixed on either side of the roof ridge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a partial front view illustrating two spray bars fixed on either side of the roof ridge according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic view illustrating a movable assembly reservoir and pumping means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates another embodiment of a reservoir assembly and pumping means, non-movable;

[0029] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates an embodiment of a ridge tile; and

[0030] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] illustrates a spray bar provided with a bypass for cooperate with a ridge tile of [Fig.8]. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] When identical reference numerals are used in several embodiments of the invention, these reference numerals designate identical or similar elements in each of the embodiments.

[0032] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a building 1 whose roof 2 comprises a first slope 3 and a second slope 4 which are both inclined from an upper ridge 5. The building 1 is provided with a treatment device according to the present invention for spraying a treatment liquid onto both of the slopes 3 and 4 of the roof 2.

[0033] The treatment device comprises a first spray ramp 6, elongated between a first open feed end 6a and a second closed end 6b, and shaped to spray laterally and according to all or most large part of its length said treatment liquid around a first spray plane P3 ([Fig.2]).

[0034] The treatment device comprises a second spray ramp 7, elongated between a first open supply end 7a and a second closed end 7b, and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around a second spray plane P4 ([Fig-2]).

[0035] In the presence of two spray ramps 6 and 7, the second ends 6b and 7b can be connected to each other, instead of being closed.

[0036] Fixing means are configured to fix said first spray ramp 6 along said upper ridge 5 of said roof 2 and in a first orientation in which said first spray plane P3 is directed towards said first inclined section 3 or parallel to it.

[0037] The fixing means are also shaped to fix said second spray ramp 7 along said upper ridge 5 of said roof 2 and in a second orientation in which said second spray plane P4 is directed towards said second inclined section 4 or parallel to it.

[0038] For example, the fixing means comprise curved spacers 8a-8e connecting the spray bars 6 and 7 to each other, forming an arch above the upper ridge 5, and / or comprise fixing members such as hooks for securing the ends 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b of the spray bars 6 and 7 to the respective edges 9 and 10 of the roof 2, and / or comprise fixing members such as hooks for securing the spray bars 6 and 7 to tiles of the roof 2.

[0039] The treatment device comprises a pipe 11, having a first end 11a shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to the respective first ends 6a and 7a of the spray bars 6 and 7, having a second end 11b, and having a sufficient length so that its second end 11b is at ground or basement level of said building 1 when its first end 11a is connected to the spray bars 6 and 7, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0040] The treatment device comprises treatment liquid supply means 12 which, in use, are arranged at ground level near the building 1, or in the basement of the building 1, depending on the user's wishes.

[0041] In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the treatment liquid supply means 12 are arranged at ground level, and form for example a movable assembly mounted on a carriage 13 as illustrated in [Fig.6], or form for example an assembly mounted on a fixed support 13a as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0042] The treatment liquid supply means 12 comprise a reservoir 14 and pumping means 15. The reservoir 14 is shaped to contain said treatment liquid. It comprises an upper inlet 14a closed by a cover 14b and through which said treatment liquid can be introduced into the reservoir 14. It comprises a lower outlet 14c through which said treatment liquid can exit. The pumping means 15 are shaped to take said treatment liquid contained in said reservoir 14 through said outlet 14c and to inject it into said second end 11b of the pipe 11 at a pressure sufficient to carry out said spraying of this liquid by the spray ramps 6 and 7.

[0043] In practice, the pumping means 15 comprise a pump 15a driven by an electric motor 15b configured to be powered by an electrical energy source via a switch 16.

[0044] The reservoir 14 is associated with a liquid level sensor 17 shaped to open said switch 16 and thus to interrupt the power supply to said electric motor 15b when the liquid level inside the reservoir 14 is lower than a predetermined minimum level N0. Preferably, the predetermined minimum level N0 is chosen close to the bottom of the reservoir 14, but higher than the level of the lower outlet 14c.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.6], the discharge outlet 15c of the pump 15a is directly connected to the second end 11b of the pipe 11, and a lower orifice of the reservoir 14 itself constitutes the lower outlet 14c.

[0046] The embodiment illustrated in [Fig.7] includes some modifications and improvements. The elements corresponding to those of the embodiment of [Fig.6] are identified by the same numerical references.

[0047] A first difference lies in the liquid collection means which, in the embodiment of [Fig.7], comprise a flexible pipe 14d which plunges into the reservoir 14 from an upper inlet to a lower end 14c provided with a strainer and placed near the bottom of the reservoir 14.

[0048] A second difference lies in the liquid level sensor 17, illustrated in the form of a float level switch connected by an electrical line to the housing of the switch 16 to control the switching of said switch 16.

[0049] A third difference lies in the fact that the pump 15a is associated with an air reservoir 18 containing a bladder 19 connected to the discharge outlet 15c of the pump 15a in order to regulate the liquid pressure at the outlet of the pump.

[0050] Another difference lies in the presence of draining means to selectively allow the treatment liquid to flow downwards out of the spray bar(s) 6 and 7, out of the pipe 11, and out of the reservoir 14 and the pumping means 15, and in the presence of means allowing the introduction of pressurized air in the pipe 11 and in the spray bar(s) 6 and 7. In practice these means may comprise, in the vicinity of the end 11b of the pipe 11, a bypass 11e associated with valves 11d and 11e selectively allowing the flow of the treatment liquid out of the pipe 11 and the spray bars 6 and 7, or the introduction of pressurized air for purging and possible unblocking of the spray bars 6 and 7.

[0051] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the spray bars 6 and 7 are placed on the roof 2 while being uncovered and likely to receive rain. In this case it is advantageous to make the spray bars 6 and 7 from copper or copper alloy.

[0052] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.5], the spray bars 6 and 7 are placed on the roof 2, being topped by a sheet 20 of copper or copper alloy, or by ridge tiles. In this case it is advantageous to make the spray bars 6 and 7 from crosslinked polyethylene.

[0053] In all the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the spray bars 6 and 7 are provided with spray or misting nozzles 21, distributed according to the length of the spray bars, for example every 30 cm, and shaped to spray the treatment liquid according to the respective planes P3 and P4. The spray or misting nozzles 21 form the outlet orifices of the spray bars 6 and 7.

[0054] On each spray bar 6 or 7, at least some of the spray or misting nozzles 21 can advantageously be inclined, alternately or not, towards one or other of the first 6a, 7a and second 6b, 7b ends of said spray nozzle 6 or 7.

[0055] In the case of spray ramps topped by ridge tiles, it is advantageous to use special extruded ridge tiles, such as the ridge tile 22 illustrated for example in [Fig. 8]. This ridge tile 22 is arch-shaped, for example in the arc of a cylinder, and has one or more lateral notches such as the notch 23 for the passage of a spraying or misting means 21. In practice, as also illustrated in [Fig. 9], it is possible to provide on the spray ramp 6 branches such as the branch 24 at the end of which is provided a spraying or misting nozzle 21. The branch 24 is conformable to adapt to the gap between its connection to the spray ramp 6 and the position of the notch 23 of the ridge tile 22.It is thus possible to move the spray or misting nozzles 21 along the spray bar 6, to adapt to the position of the notches 23 of the ridge tiles 22.

[0056] The treatment device can advantageously be distributed in the form of a kit that the user can assemble himself around the building to be treated. For this, The spray booms 6 and 7 may be delivered in the form of sections, for example sections 2 m long, and sections of shorter lengths, for example 20 or 30 cm, so that their assembly can be adapted to the length of the ridge or upper edge of the roof to be treated. The pipe 11 may be a flexible pipe, for example made of cross-linked polyethylene, delivered in the form of a coil.

[0057] When used on the roof 2, the spray or misting nozzles 21 are oriented downstream of the roof 2. Complementary spray or misting nozzles 21a may advantageously be oriented upwards around the upper edge or ridge 5, to supplement the spraying of treatment liquid in the area close to the ridge 5. The pipe 11 is advantageously placed along a rainwater downspout, to avoid disturbing the aesthetic appearance of the building. Alternatively, the pipe 11 may be incorporated into the building 1 during its construction or renovation.

[0058] The pumping means 15 must be shaped to deliver in the second end 11b of the pipe 11 a treatment liquid pressure sufficient to transport the treatment liquid according to the height of the building 1 and to provide the spraying or misting nozzles 21 and 21a with a residual pressure corresponding to their nominal operating pressure determined by their manufacturer.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variations and generalizations contained within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Claims 1 - Device for treating a roof (2) of a building (1) having at least a first slope (3) inclined from an upper edge or ridge (5), by spraying a treatment liquid onto said roof (2), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one first spray bar (6), elongated between a first open supply end (6a) and a second end (6b) closed or connected to a second end (7b) of a second spray bar (7), and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around at least one first spray plane (P3), - fixing means (8a - 8e), shaped to fix said first spray bar (6) along said upper edge or ridge (5) of said roof (2) and in an orientation in which said at least one first spray plane (P3) is directed towards said first inclined section (3), - a pipe (11), having a first end (11a) shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to said first end (6a) of the first spray bar (6), having a second end (11b), and having a sufficient length so that its second end (11b) is at ground or basement level of said building (1) when its first end (11a) is connected to said first spray bar (6), - a reservoir (14), shaped to contain said treatment liquid, having an inlet (14a) through which said treatment liquid can be introduced into the reservoir (14), and having an outlet (14c) through which said treatment liquid can exit, - pumping means (15) shaped to take through said outlet (14c) said treatment liquid contained in said reservoir (14) and to inject it into said second end (11b) of the pipe (11) at a pressure sufficient to carry out said spraying of this liquid by the first spray bar (6), - the tank (14) and the pumping means (15) are mounted on a movable trolley (13), - the pumping means (15) are connected to the pipeline (11) in a removable manner.

2. 2 - Device according to claim 1 for spraying a treatment liquid on a roof (2) of a building having a first and a second slope (3, 4) inclined on either side of an upper ridge (5), characterized in that it comprises: - said first spray bar (6), elongated between its first open supply end (6a) and its second end (6b) closed or connected to a second end (7b) of a second spray bar (7), and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around the first spray plane (P3), - a second spray bar (7), elongated between a first open supply end (7a) and a second end (7b) closed or connected to the second end (6b) of the first spray bar (6),and shaped to spray laterally and along all or most of its length said treatment liquid around a second spray plane (P4), - fixing means (8a - 8e), shaped to fix said first spray bar (6) along said upper ridge (5) of said roof (2) and in a first orientation in which said first spray plane (P3) is directed towards said first inclined section (3), and shaped to fix said second spray bar (7) along said upper ridge (5) of said roof (2) and in a second orientation in which said second spray plane (P4) is directed towards said second inclined section (4), - said pipe (11) being shaped to be connected in a sealed manner to the respective first ends (6a, 7a) of one and the other of the first (6) and second (7) spray bars.,

3. 3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spray bar(s) (6, 7) are made of copper or copper alloy and are placed on the roof (2) while being uncovered and capable of receiving rain.

4. 4 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spray bar(s) (6, 7) are made of crosslinked polyethylene and are placed on the roof (2) and are surmounted by a sheet (20) of copper or copper alloy.

5. 5 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spray bar(s) (6, 7) are made of crosslinked polyethylene and are placed on the roof (2) and are topped by ridge tiles (20, 22).

6. 6 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spray bar(s) (6, 7) are provided with spray or misting nozzles (21) distributed along their length and shaped to spray the treatment liquid.

7. 7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spray bar(s) (6, 7) are further configured to spray treatment liquid upwards around the upper edge or ridge (5) of the roof (2).

8. 8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: - the pumping means (15) comprise a pump (15a) driven by an electric motor (15b) shaped to be powered by an electrical energy source via a switch (16), - the reservoir (14) is associated with a liquid level sensor (17) shaped to open said switch (16) and thus to interrupt the power supply to said electric motor (15b) when the liquid level inside the reservoir (14) is below a predetermined minimum level (NO).

9. 9 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises: - draining means for selectively allowing the treatment liquid to flow downwards out of the spray bar(s) (6, 7), out of the pipe (11), and out of the reservoir (14) and the pumping means (15), - means for introducing pressurized air into the pipe (11) and into the spray bar(s) (6, 7).

10. 10 - Building (1) with a roof (2) having at least one slope (3, 4) inclined from an upper edge or ridge (5), said building (1) being provided with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, said at least one spray bar (6, 7) being fixed along said upper edge or ridge (5) of said roof (2), said pipe (11) having its first end (11a) connected in a sealed manner to said spray bar (6, 7) and having its second end (11b) at ground or basement level of said building (1) to be removably connected to a movable assembly comprising said tank (14) and said pumping means (15).

11. 11 - Use of a roof treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for treating the roof (2) of a building (1).

12. 12 - Use according to claim 11 for cleaning and treating said roof (2) of building (1) against vegetation or for preventing the proliferation of plants on the external surface of said roof (2) of building.

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