Method for dispensing chemical onto a tire brush

Abstract

A device for use in dispensing tire chemical onto a cylindrical car tire brush, comprising, an elongated shield having a concave inside surface having a curvature generally matching the outside curvature of the cylindrical brush, a port entering into the inside surface of the shield for receiving a chemical, and at least one distribution groove formed into the inside surface, which distribution groove communicates with the port and is inclined downwardly at an angle so as to distribute the chemical longitudinally along the said inside surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for applying chemical to a car wash tire brush comprising the steps of:
 rotating a cylindrical tire brush with an outside curvature about its axis;   partially enclosing the brush with an elongated shield having an inside curvature generally matching the outside curvature of the brush; and   delivering chemical from an exterior of the shield through at least one port, the chemical exiting the port into the inside surface of the shield such that the chemical runs along the inside surface of the shield and is picked up by the rotating brush.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical exiting the port is received in at least one distribution groove formed into the inside surface of the shield which at least one distribution groove is downwardly inclined at an angle along the inside surface of the shield. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , including collecting chemicals running down the inside surface of the shield with the brush as it turns in a direction such that its bristles engage the shield and rotate up the inside surface of the shield. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , including distributing the chemical moving up the shield in at least one redistribution groove above the distribution groove, which redistribution groove is inclined upwardly so as to receive chemical carried by the brush and distribute the chemical across the inside surface. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , including collecting chemical from the inside surface of the shield in a collection groove that extends horizontally across the inside surface of the shield to catch chemical running down the inside surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the distribution groove is inclined downwardly at an angle of between 20° and 70° from the horizontal. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the redistribution groove is inclined upwardly at an angle of between 5° and 45° from the horizontal. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the shield comprises a main part and an access flap hinged to the main part. 
     
     
         9 . A method for applying chemical to a car wash tire brush comprising the steps of:
 rotating a generally cylindrical tire brush about its axis;   partially enclosing the brush with a generally cylindrical c-shaped shield extending around a side of the brush opposite from another side of the brush facing a tire; and   delivering chemical from an exterior of the shield through at least one port such that the chemical runs out of the at least one port and along the inside surface of the shield, the chemical being picked up by the rotating brush.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , including collecting chemical from the inside surface of the shield in a collection groove running horizontally across the inside surface of the shield to catch chemical running down the inside surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , including collecting chemicals running down the inside surface of the shield by the brush as it turns in a direction such that its bristles engage the shield at its bottom and then move up the inside surface of the shield. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the chemical entering through the port is received in at least one distribution groove formed into the inside surface of the shield which at least one distribution groove is downwardly inclined at an angle along the inside surface of the shield so as to distribute the chemical across the inside surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , including distributing the chemical moving up the shield in at least one redistribution groove formed into the inside surface of the shield above the collection groove, which at least one redistribution groove is upwardly inclined at an angle along the inside surface of the shield so as to distribute chemical across the inside surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , including distributing chemical moving up the shield in at least one redistribution groove above the distribution groove, which redistribution groove is inclined upwardly at an angle so as to receive chemical carried by the brush and distribute chemical across the inside surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , including distributing the chemical moving up the shield in at least one redistribution groove, which redistribution groove is inclined upwardly so as to receive chemical carried by the brush and distribute chemical across the inside surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the distribution groove is inclined downwardly at an angle of between 20° and 70° from the horizontal. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the redistribution groove is inclined upwardly at an angle of between 5° and 45° from the horizontal. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the c-shaped shield includes a main part and a smaller access flap which is hinged to the main part at its top. 
     
     
         19 . A method for applying chemical to a tire brush comprising the steps of:
 rotating an elongated generally cylindrical brush having a side facing and positioned to engage a car tire;   holding a generally cylindrical c-shaped shield against a side of the brush opposite from the side of the brush facing the tire;   rotating the brush in a direction such that as it rotates, it engages the shield and rotates upward along the inside surface of the shield; and   collecting chemicals running down the inside surface of the shield by the brush as it rotates.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , including distributing the chemical in at least one redistribution groove, which redistribution groove is inclined upwardly at an angle so as to receive chemical carried upward by the brush and distribute chemical across the inside surface. 
     
     
         21 . A method for applying chemical to a car wash tire brush comprising the steps of:
 rotating a cylindrical tire brush with an outside curvature about its axis;   delivering chemical to the outside curvature of the rotating brush; and   intermittently stopping and starting rotation of the tire brush using a variable frequency drive;   wherein the speed and frequency of rotation are calibrated to keep chemical from dripping off of the outside curvature of the tire brush.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 rotating the tire brush between 5 and 2500 rpm each time the brush starts rotating;   rotating the tire brush between 0.5 and 30 seconds each time the brush starts rotating;   rotating the tire brush less than 360 degrees each time the brush starts rotating to promote even distribution of tire chemical; and   stopping the tire brush between 15 and 240 seconds each time the brush stops rotating;   wherein the speed of rotation, time stopped, and time rotating are calibrated to keep chemical from dripping off of the outside curvature of the tire brush.