Self-Cleaning Tile Grout Applicator for Vertical Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for applying mortar between tiles on vertical surfaces are bulky, labor-intensive, and inefficient, leading to significant time consumption and occupational hazards due to the need for manual cleaning and lack of suitability for vertical applications.

Innovation Solution

An electromechanical device with adjustable drive wheels, an orientable dispenser, nebulizer, spatula, and microfiber roller, regulated by a microcontroller, ensures precise and efficient application and cleaning of material on vertical surfaces, utilizing a rechargeable battery for power and featuring replaceable components for ease of maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual methods are used to apply and clean mortar between tiles, then the process can be completed with simple tools, but the time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speedVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines the mortar application function and the cleaning function into a single integrated system. The application nozzle deposits mortar between tiles while the microfiber roller simultaneously wipes excess mortar from tile surfaces, eliminating the need for separate manual cleaning operations and significantly reducing total processing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs self-cleaning through the microfiber roller that automatically wipes excess mortar from the tile surfaces as the device moves along. This self-service cleaning mechanism eliminates the need for separate manual cleaning steps and reduces operator intervention requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If existing mortar dispensing devices are used, then mortar can be dispensed between tiles, but the devices are bulky and difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components including a removable microfiber roller, detachable nozzle, and separable frame sections. This segmentation allows individual components to be easily replaced or maintained without affecting the entire device, significantly improving ease of repair and reducing maintenance complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses a flexible microfiber roller instead of rigid mechanical components for the cleaning function. This thin film approach simplifies the overall device structure, reduces bulkiness, and makes the roller easily replaceable when worn, improving both manufacture ease and maintenance simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If plaster is applied to vertical surfaces, then grout lines can be filled, but the plaster slides downwards if not treated immediately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical surface capabilityVSAvoidmaterial stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary cleaning action immediately after mortar application. As the device moves along the vertical surface, the microfiber roller simultaneously wipes excess mortar from tile surfaces before the mortar can slide downwards, ensuring reliable results on vertical surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device maintains continuous application and cleaning action as it moves along the vertical surface. The synchronized movement of the nozzle depositing mortar and the roller cleaning excess mortar ensures uninterrupted processing, preventing mortar from sliding down and maintaining material stability throughout the operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Ease of operation

If the operator works manually on vertical surfaces, then flexibility is maintained, but occupational hazards increase due to bending and kneeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator comfortVSAvoidoccupational hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces manual mechanical operations with an electromechanical system that the operator simply guides. The motor-driven nozzle and roller eliminate the need for the operator to manually apply and clean mortar, reducing physical strain and occupational hazards while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12523048B2Self-cleaning device for applying material between tiles on vertical surfaces

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 VERRANDO MIRCO

AI summary

Self-cleaning device for applying material between the grout lines of tiles on vertical surfaces (100) adapted to spread and model material of acrylic, silicone and/or soft cementitious paste type in order to create grout lines, joints or mortar on vertical surfaces preventing the product from sliding downwards; said self-cleaning device for applying material between the grout lines of tiles on vertical surfaces (100) adapted to speed up the laying operations and to reduce the effort applied by the operator to a minimum. It comprises at least one microfiber roller (17) adapted to be mobilized by at least one of the drive wheels (11) by means of a rubber belt (21) passing through a pulley (20), so as to clean the spatula (14) and the surface of said product (200) dispensed in excess. By means of a microcontroller (33) all the parameters of the orientable dispenser (17) and of the nebulizer of the liquid (18) are adjusted.