Thermoplastic Roadway Marking Cooling and Bead Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for producing thermoplastic compositions for roadway markings using liquid-contact heat exchange processes often fail to facilitate the surface application of materials like glass beads, limiting product quality and variety.

Innovation Solution

The method involves supplying a thermoplastic composition to a product feeder, transferring it to a product formation apparatus, and discharging the formed product onto a temperature-controlled transporter, where it can be cut and treated with surface materials like glass beads, using a system that optionally employs liquid-contact heat exchange processes to control cooling and solidification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If liquid-contact heat exchange processes are used to cool and solidify thermoplastic quickly, then solidification speed is improved, but surface application of glass beads or other materials is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolidification speedVSAvoidsurface application capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling process is segmented into distinct zones: a first cooling zone with liquid-contact heat exchange for rapid solidification, and a second cooling zone without liquid contact for surface treatment application. This segmentation allows the thermoplastic to be partially solidified while maintaining a surface suitable for bead application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thermoplastic undergoes preliminary cooling in the first zone to reach a state where surface treatment can be applied, but before complete solidification. This preliminary action prepares the material for subsequent surface treatment while maintaining the ability to accept glass beads or other materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If liquid-contact heat exchange processes are positioned adjacent to extruder die, then cooling efficiency is improved, but surface treatment application is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling timeVSAvoidsurface treatment application

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into multiple separate zones along the transport path, allowing different cooling methods to be applied at different stages. The first zone uses liquid-contact cooling adjacent to the extruder die for efficiency, while the second zone provides a liquid-free environment for surface treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transport mechanism serves as an intermediary between the liquid-contact cooling zone and the surface treatment zone, carrying the thermoplastic through both environments sequentially. This intermediary allows the material to transition between different processing conditions without direct contact between the cooling liquid and surface treatment materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional liquid-contact cooling is used, then processing speed is improved, but product quality and variety are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidproduct quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The processing line is segmented into multiple functional zones that can operate simultaneously at high speed while providing different processing conditions. This allows maintaining overall productivity while enabling quality improvements through controlled surface treatment application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-zone cooling system maintains continuous processing without interrupting the production flow. The thermoplastic moves continuously through different cooling and treatment zones, preserving high productivity while enabling quality enhancements through surface treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach improves product quality, allows for the surface application of materials, and increases the range of product offerings by enabling the production of thermoplastic markings without the need for liquid-contact heat exchange processes, reducing processing time and heat history while enhancing handling and air quality.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature controlled transporter configured to receive, cool, and transport the formed thermoplastic product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the product may be contacted with water or other heat transfer fluids to facilitate heat transfer at the exterior surface of the temperature controlled transporter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS11795636B2Systems and methods for making thermoplastic products and compositions

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 ENNIS FLINT INC

AI summary

Systems and methods to produce thermoplastic products in a process are described herein. In some cases, the systems and methods may eliminate contact between the product and a heat transfer fluid. The thermoplastic compositions can be useful for roadway markings. In some examples, a formed thermoplastic product is discharged by a product formation apparatus onto a temperature controlled transporter, cooled, and cut to a desired product dimension.