Device and method for removing protective film strips from a metal roof

Abstract

Title: Device and method for removing protective film strips from a metal roof. The invention relates to a device (1) for removing protective film strips (11) from a metal roof (10), comprising: - a cylinder (2) onto which protective film strips (11) are intended to be wound; - means for attaching (3) to the cylinder (2) one end (110) of a protective film strip (11) previously detached from the metal roof (10); - a manipulator (4) for the cylinder (2), the cylinder (2) being rotatably mounted on the manipulator (4). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device and method for removing strips of protective film from a metal roof

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of accessories for roofers.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a device and a method for simplifying the removal of protective films from metal roofs.

[0003] In the field of the invention, metal roofs are generally made up of a plurality of metal plates coupled to each other to form a roof section over which water is intended to run off.

[0004] The various metal sheets of metal roofs are conventionally supplied to roofers protected by a protective film extending over the entire face of the metal sheet which is intended to be oriented towards the exterior of the roof and more generally of the building.

[0005] The purpose of such a protective film is to prevent deterioration of this face during handling of the metal plate, its installation, or during movements of operators on the roof before finalization of the roof.

[0006] These protective films are glued to the metal plates which have a lower face adhering to the metal plate and a non-adhering upper face.

[0007] Following the completion of the metal roof, or at least the metal plate, an operation of removing the protective films from the metal roof is carried out.

[0008] Conventionally, the protective films are presented in strips, generally rectangular, extending between lateral junctions of the plate with other roofing elements, for example standing seam type junctions with other plates.

[0009] The removal operation is traditionally carried out manually and the operators must peel off one end of the strip of plastic film by hand and then pull, still by hand, on this end and on the strip to peel it off.

[0010] This operation of removing a strip of plastic film is tedious, especially when the entire surface area of ​​a large metal roof has to be removed.

[0011] Furthermore, in terms of productivity, the time spent removing the protective film strips is particularly important.

[0012] Finally, removing these strips of protective film can be physically demanding for roofers.

[0013] The invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0014] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a technique aimed at simplifying the removal of a protective film from a metal roof.

[0015] The invention also aims to provide such a technique which makes it possible to accelerate the removal of strips of plastic film from an entire metal roof compared to removal carried out manually.

[0016] The invention also aims to provide such a technique which is physically easier to implement by operators compared to a removal carried out manually.

[0017] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a device for removing strips of protective film from a metal roof, characterized in that it comprises: - a cylinder on which strips of protective film are intended to be wound; - means for attaching to the cylinder one end of a strip of protective film previously detached from the metal roof; - a cylinder handling member, the cylinder being rotatably mounted on the handling member.

[0018] Thanks to the removal device according to the invention, the removal of a strip of plastic film is simplified, and can be carried out more quickly than is possible when carried out by hand according to the method of the prior art.

[0019] Using the device, an operator must first unhook the end of a strip of protective film from the metal roof, as he would do conventionally according to the prior art. Subsequently, the operator must hook this end of the strip of protective film onto the cylinder using the hooking means, then manipulate the cylinder using the handling member to roll it onto the strip of plastic film and remove the protective film by winding it around the cylinder of the device.

[0020] While rolling, the cylinder pulls on the strip of protective film which adheres to the metal plate by exerting a transverse force on the metal plate. Such an effort proves particularly suitable for effectively removing the protective film.

[0021] Following the removal of the strip, this strip is completely wound onto the cylinder, the operator then simply has to remove this wound strip from the cylinder.

[0022] For example, the operator can cut the strip wound on the cylinder using a blade.

[0023] Tests have demonstrated greater ease and speed in removing strips of protective film than is possible with respect to removal carried out solely manually.

[0024] According to a preferred characteristic, the cylinder is circular in revolution.

[0025] In this way, moving the cylinder over the metal roof to remove a strip of protective film is particularly easy due to the cylinder's ability to roll evenly over the metal roof.

[0026] Other types of cylinder shape may also be considered, such as, for example, a cylinder having a polygonal section so as to create lever arm effects to modify the manner in which the transverse tensile force of the protective film operates when the cylinder is moved.

[0027] According to a preferred characteristic, the attachment means comprise a hole provided on an external surface of the cylinder, and opening into an internal cavity of the cylinder, the internal cavity being intended to house the end of the strip of protective film previously detached from the metal roof.

[0028] In this way, to initiate the removal of a protective strip, then the end of the film strip must be inserted into the internal cavity and a hooking is then carried out.

[0029] This end of the protective film strip allows the film strip to be attached while not protruding from the outside of the cylinder in a manner that could limit the movement of the cylinder on the roof.

[0030] Advantageously, the hole has a main opening and a first hooking portion extending and tapering from the main opening along the outer surface of the cylinder, the first hooking portion being configured to prevent the passage from the internal cavity of a packet formed by the end of the strip of protective film inserted into the internal cavity through the main opening.

[0031] After inserting the crumpled end of the strip into the inner cavity through the main opening, a portion of the film strip must be inserted into the first gripping portion so that the package abuts the inner surface of the cylinder around the first gripping portion.

[0032] Preferably, the first attachment portion extends along the external surface, following the curved profile of the cylinder.

[0033] In this way, when the cylinder is rotated after the end of the protective film strip is hooked, then the force exerted by the rotation of the cylinder and the tearing off of the protective film strip keeps the end of the protective film strip stuck by the first hooking portion.

[0034] In other words, by rolling the cylinder along the strip of protective film, then the end of the strip of protective film is kept stuck in the first hooking portion by undergoing a force in a direction going from the main opening towards the first hooking portion.

[0035] Preferably, the hole has a second attachment portion extending from the main opening opposite the first attachment portion.

[0036] In this way, the cylinder can be used in both possible rotation directions to remove a strip of protective film.

[0037] According to a preferred characteristic, the handling member takes the form of a frame having a first end on which the cylinder is rotatably mounted, and a second end provided with a handle.

[0038] Rotating the cylinder to remove a strip of protective film is thus simplified thanks to the presence of the handle which facilitates pulling or pushing the cylinder to roll it and remove the strip of protective film.

[0039] The invention also relates to a method for removing strips of protective film from a metal roof, comprising a step of detaching one end of a strip of protective film, characterized in that it implements the device described above, and in that it also comprises: - a step of attaching the detached end of the strip of protective film to the attachment means; - a first step of winding the strip of protective film around the cylinder by rolling the cylinder on the strip of protective film using the handling device.

[0040] The method allows the simple and rapid removal of a strip of protective film from a metal roof compared to the manual method according to the prior art.

[0041] Preferably, the method comprises at least one other step of secondary winding of another strip of protective film around the cylinder on which the previous strip of protective film is wound, the secondary winding step comprising the attachment of one end, previously detached from the other strip of protective film, by adhesion of said end to the previous strip of film wound around the cylinder.

[0042] The protective film strips are self-adhesive on their lower face, also, after having been previously detached, these self-adhesive lower faces stick easily to the protective film wound on the cylinder.

[0043] Consequently, for all other strips of protective film after the removal of a first strip of protective film, it is possible to directly reuse the device with which the first protective film was wound onto the cylinder. This reuse is carried out by positioning the cylinder covered with the previous film on the previously turned over leader of another strip of protective film to start the removal.

[0044] This avoids having to carry out a new hanging step in which a package of protective film must be formed to be inserted into the hanging means.

[0045] Advantageously, the method comprises a final step of extracting the strips of protective film wrapped around the cylinder comprising a cut made on the cylinder, from a first edge of the cylinder to a second edge of the cylinder, of the strip(s) of film.

[0046] The cutting can be carried out using a blade such as that of a cutter.

[0047] A sort of crust then forms, consisting of a multitude of film thicknesses. of protection.

[0048] The cumulative thickness of these protective films increases the rigidity of the “crust”, and facilitates removal.

[0049] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of different preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings among which: • [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective representation of a device for removing strips of protective film from a metal roof, according to the invention; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the device seen from the front according to the invention; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a roof showing strips of protective film, the first of which is completely glued to a metal plate of the roof, a second of which has one end detached from the metal roof, and a third of which has one end detached and crumpled to form a bundle; • [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the previous roof, illustrating the use of the device to remove strips of protective film.

[0050] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a device 1 for removing strips of protective film 11 from a metal roof 10 is shown.

[0051] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a metal roof 10 and the use of the device 1 for removing strips of protective film 11 from the metal roof 10.

[0052] As a preliminary point, the metal roof 10 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is described below.

[0053] The metal roof 10 shown comprises a plurality of metal trays 100 joined to each other by standing seams.

[0054] Between the standing seams, the metal roof 10 has strips of protective film 11.

[0055] These film strips 11 are glued to an upper surface 1001 of the metal trays 100.

[0056] The strips of protective films 11 have a lower face 1101 glued to the upper surface 1001 of the trays 100, and an upper face 1102.

[0057] The lower face 1101 is more specifically self-adhesive. This lower face 1101 still has adhesive power after it has been detached from the upper surface 1001 of the trays 100.

[0058] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the device 1 is now described below.

[0059] The device 1 comprises: - a cylinder 2; - means 3 for attaching to the cylinder 2 one end 110 of a strip of protective film 11 previously detached from the metal roof 10; - a manipulation member 4 of the cylinder 2.

[0060] The protective film strips 11 are intended to be wound around the cylinder 2 after attaching the end 110 of said film strip 11 using the attachment means 3 to the cylinder 2.

[0061] Of course, the end 110 of the protective film strip 11 is previously detached from the metal roof 10.

[0062] The detachment of the end 110 of the film strip 11 is carried out for example manually as is practiced according to the prior art.

[0063] The manipulation member 4 of the cylinder 2 makes it possible to roll the cylinder 2.

[0064] For this purpose, the cylinder 2 is rotatably mounted on the handling member 4.

[0065] According to the present embodiments, the cylinder 2 is circular in revolution.

[0066] According to other conceivable embodiments, the cylinder 2 may have a polygonal section, for example octagonal.

[0067] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the cylinder 2 has an external surface 21 and two cheeks 22.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the cheeks 22 form the two bases of the cylinder of revolution.

[0069] However, it is possible to envisage an embodiment in which the cylinder would not have cheeks, and would only have spokes coupling the external surface 21 to an axis of rotation.

[0070] This cylinder 2 is hollow and has an internal cavity 20.

[0071] As can be seen in the figures, the attachment means 3 comprise a hole provided on an external surface 21 of the cylinder 2.

[0072] The hole provided on the surface 21 of the cylinder 2 opens into the internal cavity 20 of the cylinder 2.

[0073] This internal cavity 20 is intended to house the end 110 of the protective film strip 11 which has been previously detached from the metal roof 10.

[0074] According to the present embodiment, the hole has a main opening 30.

[0075] This main opening 30 has an essentially circular shape.

[0076] The hole also has a first attachment portion 31 which extends in tapering from the main opening 30 along the outer surface 21 of the cylinder 2.

[0077] More precisely, this first attachment portion 31 extends along the external surface 21 following the curved profile of the cylinder 2, that is to say along an arc located at a predetermined height of the cylinder between its two bases.

[0078] In other words, the first attachment portion 31 extends from the main opening 30 following the profile of the cylinder 2.

[0079] This first attachment portion 31 is configured to prevent the passage from the internal cavity 20 of a packet 111 formed by the ends 110 of the protective film strip 11 inserted into the internal cavity 20 through the main opening 30.

[0080] Indeed, as illustrated by [Fig. 3], the end 110, previously detached, of a strip of protective film can be crumpled to form a packet 111, for example of spherical shape, which can be inserted manually inside the cavity 20 through the main opening 30. This packet 111 can then be blocked inside the internal cavity 20 by passing a portion of the strip of film 11 extending from the packet 111 at the level of the first attachment portion 31.

[0081] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the first attachment portion 31 takes a V shape, the tip of the V being distant from the main opening 30.

[0082] Other shapes may be considered, such as a U-shape.

[0083] According to the present embodiment and with reference to figures 1 and 2, the hole also has a second attachment portion 32.

[0084] This second attachment portion 32 extends from the main opening 30.

[0085] More precisely, this second attachment portion 32 extends from the main opening 30 in a direction opposite to that in which the first attachment portion 31 extends.

[0086] This makes it possible to hook the end 110 of a strip of protective film 11 and then to roll the cylinder 2 in one direction or the other. Indeed, the first hooking portion 31 and the second hooking portion 32 are then each better suited to winding in one of the two directions.

[0087] To facilitate the rotation of the cylinder 2, the handling member 4 comprises a handle 43.

[0088] More precisely, this handle 43 extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the cylinder 2.

[0089] According to other embodiments, it is possible for the handle to be curved, or inclined, and / or for there to be a plurality of handles.

[0090] The handling member 4 takes in particular the form of a frame which has at a first end 41 on which the cylinder 2 is mounted in rotation, and a second end 42 provided with a handle 43.

[0091] In particular, the frame comprises two longitudinal arms 401 and a crosspiece 402.

[0092] The frame thus adopts a U-shaped rider shape with a base which forms the handle, and the two longitudinal arms 401 which extend from the base.

[0093] The crosspiece 402 and the handle 43 are secured to the longitudinal arms 401.

[0094] The two longitudinal arms 401 have rotational mounting zones 403 for the cylinder 2, at the level of the first end 41 of the frame 4.

[0095] These two rotational mounting zones 403 form a fork for receiving an axis of the cylinder.

[0096] With reference to [Fig.2], the crosspiece 402 is spaced from the cylinder 2 so as to provide a space between it and the cylinder 2 necessary for winding a plurality of strips of protective film 11, without these strips of protective film rubbing against the crosspiece 402.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the device 1 comprises means 5 for fixing a blade intended to allow cutting of the protective film strips 11 wound on the cylinder 2.

[0098] The device described above makes it possible to implement the method of removing strips of protective film 11 described below.

[0099] This method of removing film strips 11 comprises a step of detaching one end 110 of a protective film strip 11.

[0100] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], one of the protective film strips 11 has its end 110 detached, for example manually, and crumpled to form a bundle 111.

[0101] The step of detaching one end 110 of a strip of film 11 can also be carried out on other strips of protective films 11 as can be seen for the strip of protective film 11 located in the middle of the figure.

[0102] For these other film strips 11, the lower face 1101 of the end 110 of the film strip 11 is positioned to face the space located above the roof 10.

[0103] For the extraction of the first strip of protective film 11, the method comprises a step of hooking the detached end 110 of the strip of protective film 11 to the hooking means 3, and more precisely the end 110 of the strip of protective film 11 which forms a bundle 111.

[0104] For this attachment step, the packet 111 is inserted, as explained previously, into the internal cavity 20 of the cylinder 2 and attached using the attachment means 3. More precisely, the packet 111 is placed in the cavity 20, while a portion of the film strip 11 is placed in the V-shaped notch.

[0105] Subsequently, the method comprises a first step of winding the strip of protective film 11 around cylinder 2.

[0106] This first winding step is carried out by rolling the cylinder 2 on the strip of protective film 11 using the handling member 4.

[0107] For example, a person operating the device 1 walks on the metal roof 10 towards the other end of the protective film strip 11 by pulling or pushing the device 1 using the handle 4.

[0108] The protective film strip 11 attached to the cylinder 2 is then wound. During this step, the film strip 11 is wound onto the cylinder with its self-adhesive face facing the outside of the cylinder.

[0109] The operator then finds himself with a strip of film 11 completely wound on the cylinder 2 and completely removed from the upper face 1001 of the metal tray 100.

[0110] Subsequently, the method comprises at least one other step of secondary winding of another strip of protective film 11 around the cylinder 2 on which the previous strip of protective film 11 is wound.

[0111] For example and with reference to [Fig.4], the device on which the previous film strip 11 is wound can be implemented on the central film strip 11, previously unhooked as illustrated.

[0112] Use is then made of the self-adhesive property of the lower face 1101 of the protective film strip 11.

[0113] The secondary winding step thus comprises the attachment of the end 110, previously detached from the other strip of protective film 11, by adhesion of said end 110 to the previous strip of film 11 wound around the cylinder 2.

[0114] Thus, all of the strips of film 11 protecting the metal roof 10 can be removed using the device 1.

[0115] Finally, the method comprises a final step of extracting the strip(s) of protective film 11 surrounded around the cylinder 2.

[0116] This final extraction step comprises a cut made on the cylinder 2, for example using the blade fixed to the device 1 using the fixing means 5.

[0117] This cutting is carried out from a first edge of the cylinder 2 to a second edge of the cylinder 2, of the film strip(s) 11, or in other words from a first cheek 22 to the second cheek 22.

[0118] An operator then only has to remove a “crust” formed by the multiple thicknesses of film strip 11 stuck to each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for removing strips of protective film (11) from a metal roof (10), characterized in that it comprises: - a cylinder (2) on which strips of protective film (11) are intended to be wound; - means (3) for hooking onto the cylinder (2) one end (110) of a strip of protective film (11) previously detached from the metal roof (10);- a handling member (4) of the cylinder (2), the cylinder (2) being rotatably mounted on the handling member (4), and in that the hooking means (3) comprise a hole provided on an external surface (21) of the cylinder (2), and opening into an internal cavity (20) of the cylinder (2), the internal cavity (20) being intended to house the end (110) of the strip of protective film (11) previously detached from the metal roof (10), and in that the hole has a main opening (30) and a first hooking portion (31) extending and tapering from the main opening (30) along the external surface (21) of the cylinder (2), the first hooking portion (31) being configured to prevent the passage from the internal cavity (20) of a packet (111) formed by the end (110) of the strip of protective film (11) inserted into the internal cavity (20) through the main opening (30).;

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cylinder (2) is circular in revolution.

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first hooking portion (31) extends along the external surface (21), following the curved profile of the cylinder (2).

4. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the hole has a second hooking portion (32) extending from the main opening (30) opposite the first hooking portion (31).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling member (4) takes the form of a frame having a first end (41) on which the cylinder is rotatably mounted, and a second end (42) provided with a handle (43).

6. Method for removing strips of protective film (11) from a metal roof (10), comprising a step of unhooking one end (110) of a strip of protective film (11), characterized in that it implements the device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and in that it also comprises: - a step of hooking the unhooked end (110) of the strip of protective film (11) to the hooking means (3); - a first step of winding the strip of protective film (11) around the cylinder (2) by rolling the cylinder (2) over the strip of protective film (11) using the handling member (4).

7. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises at least one other step of secondary winding of another strip of protective film (11) around the cylinder (2) on which the previous strip of protective film (11) is wound, the secondary winding step comprising the attachment of one end (110), previously detached from the other strip of protective film (11), by adhesion of said end (110) to the previous strip of film (11) wound around the cylinder (2).

8. Method according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that it comprises a final step of extracting the strip(s) of protective film (11) surrounded around the cylinder (2) comprising a cut made on the cylinder (2), from a first edge of the cylinder (2) to a second edge of the cylinder, from the strip(s) of film (H).

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