Environmentally friendly apparatus and method for surface printing

Abstract

An apparatus and method for applying an informational patter to a surface is provided. The apparatus includes a system configured to apply fluid on a surface to form the informational pattern, a surface preparation unit for preparing the surface, and a spray head system for applying the informational pattern.

1 . A fluid application apparatus ( 100 ), comprising:
 a system ( 120 ) configured to apply fluid on a surface ( 501 ) to form an informational pattern;   a surface preparation unit ( 140 ) for preparing the surface ( 501 ); and   a spray head system ( 114 ) for applying the informational pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , further comprising a spray head system actuator ( 510 ). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the spray head system actuator ( 510 ) is configured to adjust the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ) between a transport configuration and an application configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 3 , further comprising a cleaning tray ( 105 ) configured to be slid under the spray head system ( 114 ) in the transport configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus  00 ) of  claim 1 , further comprising a position indication device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the position indication device gathers data relating to a longitudinal position of the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ). 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the position indication device gathers data relating to a relative position of at least a portion of the fluid application system ( 120 ) compared to the surface ( 501 ). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the surface preparation unit ( 140 ) is configured for the relative position in comparison to the surface ( 501 ) to be adjusted in response to the data gathered by the position indication device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the spray head system ( 114 ) is configured for the relative position in comparison to the surface ( 501 ) to be adjusted in response to the data gathered by the position indication device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the surface preparation unit ( 140 ) comprises an air dryer ( 641 ) positioned to direct air onto the surface ( 501 ). 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 10 , wherein the surface preparation unit ( 140 ) is configured to smoothen the surface  501 . 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 10 , wherein the surface preparation unit ( 140 ) is configured to roughen the surface  501 . 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 10 , wherein the surface preparation unit ( 140 ) is configured to remove debris from the surface  501 . 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 10 , wherein the surface preparation unit ( 140 ) further comprises brushes. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spray head system actuator ( 510 ), the spray head system actuator ( 510 ) configured to adjust the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ) between a transport configuration and an application configuration;   a position indication device configured to gather data relating to a longitudinal position of the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ) or a relative position of at least a portion of the fluid application system ( 120 ) compared to the surface ( 501 ); and   an air dryer ( 641 ) positioned to direct air onto the surface ( 501 ).   
     
     
         16 . A fluid application apparatus ( 100 ), comprising:
 a fluid application system ( 120 ) configured to apply fluid on a surface ( 501 ) to form an informational pattern;   a spray head system ( 114 );   a spray head system actuator ( 510 );   a surface preparation unit ( 140 );   wherein the spray head system actuator ( 510 ) adjusts the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ) between a transport configuration and an application configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus ( 100 ) of  claim 16 , further comprising a position indication device configured to gather data relating to a longitudinal position of the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ) or a relative position of at least a portion of the fluid application system ( 120 ) compared to the surface ( 501 ). 
     
     
         18 . A method of applying fluid on a surface, the method comprising:
 providing a fluid application apparatus, the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ) comprising:
 a fluid application system ( 120 ) configured to apply fluid on a surface ( 501 ) to form an informational pattern; and 
 one or more of a position indication device and a spray head system actuator ( 510 ); 
 wherein the position indication device gathers data relating to a global position of the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ) or a relative position of at least a portion of the fluid application system ( 120 ) compared to the surface; 
 wherein the spray head system actuator ( 510 ) adjusts the fluid application apparatus ( 100 ) between a transport configuration and an application configuration; and 
   applying fluid on the surface ( 501 ) to form the information pattern.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising preparing the surface prior to applying the fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising adjusting the relative distance the at least portion of the fluid application system ( 120 ) in response to the data gathered, wherein the position indication device gathers data relating to the relative position of the at least portion of the fluid application system ( 120 ) compared to the surface ( 501 ).