Patent Publication Number: US-2016222603-A1

Title: Spreader apparatus and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/111,321 filed on Feb. 3, 2015, the entire contents of which being herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure generally relates to spreader apparatuses. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to spreader apparatuses capable of spreading solid material and fluid. Such spreader apparatuses are useful to pre-treat a road surface with fluid and to apply a solid material to a road surface, for example. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Trucks equipped with spreaders for distributing solid materials onto a paved surface are known, for example, a material spreading vehicle with a hydraulic wheel pump is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,824; a truck for hauling and dispensing material over paved roads fitted with an integrated spreader is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,172; a truck with a retractable spreader mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,200 discloses a method for depositing a snow-ice treatment material onto pavement; a combination truck and spreader apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,482; and International Publication No. WO 02/38867 A1 discloses a vehicle that discharges and spreads material onto roadways along with a transmitter/receiver device to verify the discharge function. The entire contents of each of these published patents/applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     However, certain solid materials to be spread on pavement will more easily adhere to the pavement or road surface if the pavement is pre-treated with a fluid, for example. Additionally, it is often desired to quickly change the ability of a truck to spread a solid material on a road surface and to spread a fluid on a road surface, e.g., during snow and ice operations. 
     Here, two trucks are often required to perform these operations—a first truck to apply fluid to the pavement, and a second truck to spread solid material on the pavement. Alternatively, a single truck can be used to perform these operations, but here there is a need to remove a solid material-spreading device and replace it with a fluid-spreading device. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a spreader apparatus that that can apply both fluid and solid material to a road surface. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a spreader apparatus for use with a vehicle. The spreader apparatus includes an auger portion and a flow bar. The auger portion is configured to spread solid material on a surface. The flow bar is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the auger portion, and includes a plurality of nozzles. The flow bar is configured to spread fluid through each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles onto the surface. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the flow bar is affixed to the auger portion. Alternatively, the flow bar is removably attached to the auger portion. 
     It is disclosed that the flow bar includes a fluid inlet configured to connect to a hose, and the fluid inlet is disposed in fluid communication with each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles. 
     It is further disclosed that the flow bar is positioned distally of the auger portion. 
     The present disclosure also relates to a method of treating a road surface. The method includes spreading a solid material onto the road surface with an auger portion of a spreader apparatus, and spreading a fluid onto the road surface with a flow bar of the spreader apparatus. 
     Embodiments of the method also include removably attaching the flow bar to the auger portion. 
     In disclosed embodiments, spreading a solid material onto the road surface includes spreading at least one of sodium acetate, salt, or sand. It is also disclosed that spreading a fluid onto the road surface includes spreading at least one of an anti-icing solution, a de-icing solution, or a brine solution. 
     It is further disclosed that the method further comprises installing the spreader apparatus onto a truck. The spreader apparatus may be removably installed onto the truck or permanently installed onto the truck. 
     In disclosed embodiments, the method includes connecting a fluid inlet of the flow bar with a fluid tank. 
     It is also disclosed that spreading the solid material onto the road surface is performed at the same time as spreading the fluid onto the road surface, or at a different time as spreading the fluid onto the road surface. 
     In disclosed embodiments, spreading a solid material onto the road surface includes spreading at least one of asphalt, concrete, or aggregates onto the road surface. It is also disclosed that spreading a fluid onto the road surface includes spreading at least one of a cleaning solution, or an adhesive onto the road surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a truck having a spreader apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the truck and spreader apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the spreader apparatus applying solid material from an auger portion onto a road surface, and applying fluid from a flow bar onto the road surface; and 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the connection between the flow bar of  FIGS. 1 and 2  to a hose, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed spreader apparatus and method are described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. In the description that follows, the term “proximal” will refer to the portion of the spreader apparatus that is closest to the front of the truck, while the term “distal” will refer to the portion of the spreader apparatus that is farthest from the front of the truck. 
     A spreader apparatus  100 , and portions thereof, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Generally, spreader apparatus  100  is configured to use with a vehicle or truck  10 , and includes an auger portion  120  configured to grind and dispense solid material “M,” and a flow bar  140  configured to dispense a fluid “F.” In the illustrated embodiments, flow bar  140  is disposed in fluid communication with a fluid source or fluid tank “FT” located on or within a portion of truck  10 . Neither the solid material “M” nor the fluid “F” described herein is limited to a particular type, as auger portion  120  can grind any reasonable solid material “M” for a variety of purposes, and flow bar  140  can dispense any reasonable gas or fluid “F” for a variety of purposes. Additionally, both auger portion  120  and flow bar  140  can be configured to distribute the solid material “M” and fluid “F,” respectively, at any reasonable rate, at variable rates or at changeable rates depending on the desired output for a particular use, for example. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , spreader apparatus  100  is shown mechanically engaged with a distal portion of truck  10 , e.g., a dump truck. While not explicitly shown, truck  10  may include an integrated conveyor system to provide a multiple purpose truck that can be used in a conveyor-dispensing mode of operation. Such a conveyor system is usable to move solid material “M” distally toward spreader apparatus  100 , for example. More particularly, the conveyor system can move solid material “M” distally onto or into auger portion  120  of spreader apparatus  100 . 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 2 , auger portion  120  of spreader apparatus  100  includes at least one rotatable blade  122  and a shaft  124 . It is envisioned that truck  10  supplies power to rotate shaft  124 , which causes blade  122  to rotate. As can be appreciated, rotation of blade  122  can help break-up solid material “M” and can facilitate even distribution of the solid material “M” through a screen  126  of auger portion  120 , for example. It is envisioned that screen  126  spans a lower portion of auger portion  120  such that screen  126  is supported between blade  122  and the road surface “RS.” 
     Flow bar  140  of spreader apparatus  100  includes a fluid inlet  142 , a body portion  144 , and a plurality of nozzles  146 . Flow bar  140  is configured to be removably attached to auger portion  120  (e.g., by suitable mechanical structure) or to be fixedly attached to auger portion  120  (e.g., by welding). Additionally, while flow bar  140  is shown mounted to a distal surface of auger portion  120 , the present disclosure also includes flow bar  140  being mounted to any other part (e.g., a proximal portion) of auger portion  120  or truck  10 . 
     Fluid inlet  142  is configured to engage and/or mechanically couple with a hose “H.” Hose “H” is configured to engage and/or mechanically couple to the fluid tank “FT” disposed in a bed of truck  10 , for example. With particular reference to  FIG. 3 , an enlarged view of a portion of flow bar  140  including fluid inlet  142  is shown decoupled from the hose “H.” It is envisioned that fluid inlet  142  and hose “H” can couple to each other by the rotation of the hose “H” and/or by movement of hose “H” along arrow “A” in a quick-connect manner. Additionally, it is envisioned that hose “H” is routed through or adjacent walls of auger portion  120  and/or truck  10  to interconnect the fluid tank “FT” and flow bar  140 . 
     Each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles  146  is disposed in fluid communication with fluid inlet  142 , such that fluid that enters fluid inlet  142  can exit flow bar  140  through each nozzle of plurality of nozzles  146 . While flow bar  140  is shown having thirteen (13) nozzles  146 , it is envisioned that flow bar  140  can include more or fewer than  13  nozzles  146 . Further, it is envisioned that each nozzle of plurality of nozzles  146  is of any suitable size and shape, including having nozzles that are differently sized/shaped from an adjacent nozzle. 
     Spreader apparatus  100  is useful in a myriad of ways, and the present disclosure relates to methods of use of spreader apparatus  100 . For example, when applying a solid material “M” (e.g., asphalt, concrete, aggregates, etc.) to a road surface “RS,” it may be useful to first apply a fluid “F” (e.g., cleaning solution, an adhesive, etc.) to the road surface “RS” to help the solid material “M” adhere to the road surface “RS” and/or to help the longevity of the solid material “M” after it has been applied to the road surface “RS.” As discussed herein, the use of spreader apparatus  100  can apply both solid material “M” through auger portion  120  and fluid “F” through flow bar  140 . Further, spreader apparatus  100  can apply solid material “M” at the same time as it applies fluid “F” or at a different time. Additionally, depending on the orientation of flow bar  140  with respect to auger portion  120  (and depending on the direction of travel of truck  10 ), spreader apparatus  100  can apply fluid “F” from flow bar  140  to the road surface “RS” prior to or after the application of solid material “M” from auger portion  120  to the road surface “RS.” 
     Disclosed methods also include installing spreader apparatus  100  onto truck  10 , and connecting fluid inlet  142  with the fluid tank “FT” (e.g., using hose “H”). Spreader apparatus  100  can be installed onto truck  10  either removably (e.g., hanging spreader apparatus  100  from a distal end of truck  10 ) or permanently (e.g., welding spreader apparatus  100  to a distal end of truck  10 ). 
     It is also envisioned to use spreader apparatus  100  during anti-icing operations. For instance, it is envisioned that the bed of truck  10  includes solid material “M” (e.g., sodium acetate, salt, sand, etc.) therein, and that the fluid tank “FT” includes fluid (e.g., an anti-icing solution, a de-icing solution, a brine solution, etc.) therein. In use during an anti-icing or similar operation, a single truck  10  including spreader apparatus  100  can be used to apply an appropriate solid material “M” through auger portion  120  and an appropriate fluid “F” through flow bar  140 . 
     As can be appreciated, without the use of spreader apparatus  100 , either two trucks would be necessary during an anti-icing operation (one truck having an auger, and one truck having a flow bar, for example), or a single truck can be used but the auger would have to be removed after the solid material was applied to the road surface, and a flow bar would be required to be installed subsequent to the removal of the auger. Both of these methods require additional expense and time; time is often of the essence during de-icing operations. 
     Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For example, the truck  10  can either include a stationary body or a fixed body. As another example, the truck  10  can include a belt-type conveyor or a screw-type conveyor to help move solid material distally. As yet another example, spreader apparatus  100  can be stationary or moveable (e.g., retractable or pivotable). All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims 
     While embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the figures, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.