Applicators for micro-trenching

1. An applicator for a cement-based mixture comprising:

an open container hopper having a first end disposed above a second end along a first direction, the open container hopper elongated along a second direction, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction, and wherein the second end of the open container hopper is configured as an outlet for the cement-based mixture;

a plate surrounding a perimeter of the second end of the open container hopper and extending outward from the outlet, wherein the plate supports a skirt having a length configured to extend at least partially into a trench when backfilling, wherein the skirt is formed form a flexible material having a first piece and an opposite second piece disposed on opposite sides of the second end of the open container hopper, and wherein the skirt includes a flared section with a full length and a tapered section whereby the length shortens;

a handle coupled to one side of the open container hopper;

a hose connector coupled to another side of the open container hopper opposite of the handle relative to the first direction, wherein the hose connector is configured to allow the cement-based mixture to flow into the open container hopper;

a frame having a pair of wheels, wherein the open container hopper is supported on the frame such that the second end is positionable above the trench for backfilling; and

a height adjustor coupled between the frame and the open container hopper, wherein the height adjustor is configured to selectively adjust a height of the second end relative to the trench and along the first direction.

2. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the frame is a U-shaped frame having a cross-member and two opposing leg members, the cross-member coupled to the side of the open container hopper that the handle is coupled to.

3. The applicator of claim 2 , wherein each of the pair of wheels is coupled to a free end of a respective leg member of the two opposing leg members of the frame.

4. The applicator of claim 3 , wherein each of the two opposing leg members are pivotably coupled to the cross-member.

5. The applicator of claim 3 , wherein the height adjustor is disposed between the wheel and the cross-member on each of the two opposing leg members.

6. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the height adjustor comprises a compression spring and an adjustable length strut.

7. The applicator of claim 1 , further comprising a guide pin disposed proximate the second end of the open container hopper and adjacent the hose connector.

8. The applicator of claim 1 , further comprising a cut-off device configured to control the flow of the cement-based mixture through the hose connector.

9. The applicator of claim 8 , wherein a lever arm for the cut-off device is disposed on the handle.

10. An applicator for a cement-based mixture comprising:

an open container hopper having a first end disposed above a second end along a first direction, the open container hopper elongated along a second direction, the first direction being orthogonal to the second direction, and wherein the second end of the open container hopper is configured as an outlet for the cement-based mixture;

a hose connector coupled to one side of the open container hopper and extending along the second direction, wherein the hose connector is configured to allow the cement-based mixture to flow into the open container hopper;

a frame having a pair of wheels, wherein the open container hopper is supported on the frame such that the second end is positionable above a trench for backfilling; and

a plate at least partially surrounding a perimeter of the second end of the open container hopper, wherein the plate supports a sliding door configured to selectively adjust a size of the outlet at the second end of the open container hopper, wherein the sliding door slides in a direction that is away from the hose connector to open and towards the hose connector to close, and wherein the plate supports a skirt configured to extend at least partially into the trench when backfilling, wherein the skirt is formed form a flexible material having a first piece and an opposite second piece disposed on opposite sides of the second end of the open container hopper, and wherein the skirt includes a flared section disposed below the hose connector and an opposite tapered section.

11. The applicator of claim 10 , wherein the sliding door is spring loaded and biased towards a closed configuration.

12. The applicator of claim 10 , wherein the sliding door slides in a direction that is parallel to the second direction.

13. The applicator of claim 10 , wherein the sliding door slides in a pair of tracks extending along the second direction.

14. The applicator of claim 10 , further comprising a cut-off device configured to control the flow of the cement-based mixture through the hose connector.

15. An applicator for a cement-based mixture comprising:

an open container hopper having a first end disposed above a second end along a first direction, the open container hopper elongated along a second direction, the first direction being orthogonal to the second direction, and wherein the second end of the open container hopper is configured as an outlet for the cement-based mixture;

a hose connector coupled to one side of the open container hopper and extending along the second direction, wherein the hose connector is configured to allow the cement-based mixture to flow into the open container hopper;

a frame having a pair of wheels, wherein the open container hopper is supported on the frame such that the second end is positionable above a trench for backfilling; and

a plate at least partially surrounding a perimeter of the second end of the open container hopper, wherein the plate supports a skirt configured to extend at least partially into the trench when backfilling, wherein the skirt is formed from a flexible material, and wherein the skirt includes a flared section and a tapered section, the flared section disposed proximate the hose connector and the tapered section opposite the flared section.

16. The applicator of claim 15 , wherein the skirt includes two discrete members separated by a gap corresponding to a size of the outlet formed by the second end of the open container hopper.

17. The applicator of claim 15 , wherein the plate is supported by at least one additional wheel.