IP Library Granted Patent US 6,939,405
Granted Patent B2
US 6,939,405 · App. 10/379,399 · Granted Sep 6, 2005

Apparatus and method for applying a tire dressing fluid to a tire surface

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,939,405
App. No.
10/379,399
Granted
Sep 6, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for applying a tire dressing fluid to a tire surface is provided. The apparatus includes a tire engagement arm having an applicator manifold and leveling pad. The applicator manifold has an opening for receiving a tire dressing fluid and a plurality of openings for dispensing the tire dressing fluid directly onto the tire surface. The leveling pad is provided for engaging the tire surface and spreading the tire dressing fluid over the tire surface. A method for applying a tire dressing fluid onto a tire surface is provided.

Claims (27)

1. An apparatus for applying a tire dressing fluid to a tire surface, the device comprising:

(a) a tire engagement arm comprising

(i) an applicator manifold having an opening for receiving the tire dressing fluid and a plurality of openings for dispensing the tire dressing fluid onto the tire surface, wherein in the applicator manifold comprises a front surface and the plurality of openings are provided along the front surface; and

(ii) a leveling pad for engaging the tire surface and spreading the tire dressing fluid over the tire surface wherein the leveling pad comprises a plurality of holes that extend through the leveling pad and the leveling pad is arranged on the front surface of the applicator manifold so that the plurality of holes that extend through the leveling pad line up with the plurality of openings to allow the tire dressing fluid to flow out the plurality of openings and through the plurality of holes and onto the tire surface;

(b) at least two swing arms each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each swing arm being rotatably attached to the tire engagement arm; and

(c) an anchor rotatably attached to the second end of the at least two swing arms.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spray nozzles, each spray nozzle attached to the plurality of openings in the applicator manifold for spraying the dressing fluid onto the tire surface.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes have a diameter of at least about 0.05 inch.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the leveling pad comprises a closed cell foam.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the leveling pad comprises a brush.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the leveling pad comprises a textile.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the leveling pad comprises a surface for engaging the tire surface and the leveling pad surface includes cuts for strain relief.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a line pressurized by air pressure for delivering the tire dressing fluid to the applicator manifold.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein all of the plurality of holes extend through the leveling pad.

10. An apparatus for applying a tire dressing fluid to a tire surface, the device comprising:

(a) a tire engagement arm comprising:

(i) an applicator manifold having an opening for receiving the tire dressing fluid and a plurality of openings for dispensing the tire dressing fluid onto the tire surface;

(ii) a level pad for engaging the tire surface and spreading the tire dressing fluid over the tire surface; and

(iii) wherein the applicator manifold comprises a structure that is deformable so that when pressure is applied to the applicator manifold by a tire surface, the dressing fluid flows out of the plurality of openings and onto the tire surface;

(b) at least two swing arms each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each swing arm being rotatably attached to the tire engagement arm; and

(c) an anchor rotatably attached to the second end of the at least two swing arms.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of holes have a diameter of less than about 0.02 inch.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the leveling pad comprises a closed cell foam.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the leveling pad comprises a brush.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the leveling pad comprises a textile.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the applicator manifold comprises at least two structures that are deformable so that when pressure is applied to the applicator manifold by a tire surface, the dressing fluid flows out of the plurality of openings and onto the tire surface.

16. An apparatus claim 10 , wherein the leveling pad contains no holes extending therethrough.

Assignments (10)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2021
From: ECOLAB, INC.
To: ECOLAB USA INC.
Reel/Frame 056862/0298 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2021
From: ECOLAB INC.
To: ECOLAB USA INC.
Reel/Frame 056213/0015 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 18, 2017
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AMREP, INC.; AMREP IP HOLDINGS, INC.; ZEP IP HOLDING LLC
Reel/Frame 043601/0496 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2015
From: AMREP, INC.; AMREP IP HOLDINGS, LLC; ZEP IP HOLDING LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 036030/0868 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (RECORDED 9/2/14 AT REEL/FRAME 033674/0882) Recorded Jun 29, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ZEP IP HOLDING LLC
Reel/Frame 036032/0532 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2014
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ZEP IP HOLDING LLC
Reel/Frame 033683/0247 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Sep 2, 2014
From: ZEP IP HOLDING LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033674/0882 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 4, 2013
From: ZEP IP HOLDING LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 029572/0462 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2012
From: ECOLAB INC.
To: ZEP IP HOLDING LLC
Reel/Frame 029409/0194 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2003
From: MATTIA, PAUL; SCHINDEL, KYLE F.; CHUTE, BRIAN
To: ECOLAB INC.
Reel/Frame 014461/0194 →