Device and method for applying a marking to a surface and use of the device

Abstract

A device is provided for applying a marking to a surface, including: a frame; a marker mounted on the frame, the marker being configured to apply a marking to the surface; a steering assembly mounted in particular on a first end of the frame, the steering assembly being adapted to control the direction of the device so as to follow a desired direction; a motorized advancement, mounted in particular on a second end of the frame, opposite the first end, the motorized advancement being configured to ensure movement of the device in the desired direction.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A device for applying a marking to a surface, comprising:
 a frame;   a marking means mounted on the frame, the marking means being configured to apply a marking to the surface, the marking means comprising a supply reel configured to receive a roll of adhesive tape;   a steering assembly mounted in particular on a first end of the frame, the steering assembly being adapted to control the direction of the device in order to follow a desired direction;   a motorized means of advancement, mounted in particular on a second end of the frame, opposite the first end, the means of advancement being configured to ensure movement of the device in the desired direction, the means of advancement being an applicator roller configured to ensure application of the adhesive tape unrolled from the supply reel, onto the surface, while being applied under pressure between the surface and the applicator roller.   
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the marking means further comprises:
 a guide piece forming a guide for inserting the unrolled adhesive tape between the applicator roller and the surface when the unrolled adhesive tape extends between the supply reel and the applicator roller; and   a tensioning drum rotatably mounted on the frame, in particular above the applicator roller, the tensioning drum defining an inflection point for the unrolled adhesive tape when the unrolled adhesive tape extends between the supply reel and the guide piece, ensuring the tensioning of the unrolled adhesive tape on the guide piece.   
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the marking means further comprises:
 a recovery reel rotatably mounted on the frame, for winding a surface covering of the unrolled adhesive tape; and   a return drum rotatably mounted on the frame, between the guide piece and the recovery reel, the return drum forming an inflection point for the surface covering when the surface covering extends between the guide piece and the recovery reel.   
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the recovery reel is separated from the motor driving the applicator roller by a clutch with a torque limiting function. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the steering assembly comprises two wheels that are steerable by a motor, the two steerable wheels and the means of advancement forming a tripod, preferably the two steerable wheels forming the front of the device and the means of advancement forming the rear of the device when the device moves. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the device further comprises:
 a linear optical sensor mounted on the first end of the frame, the linear optical sensor being configured to detect a vertical plane relative to the surface, the vertical plane being defined by a planar laser, and the desired direction corresponds to the direction of the vertical plane.   
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the device further comprises:
 a linear optical sensor mounted on the frame so as to be oriented in the direction opposite to the surface, the linear optical sensor being configured to detect a line or pattern projected towards the surface, the projected line or pattern being defined by a projector, and the desired direction corresponds to the projected line or pattern.   
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the device has a height of between 100 mm and 800 mm, preferably between 100 mm and 400 mm, a width of between 100 mm and 450 mm, preferably between 100 mm and 250 mm, and a length of between 100 mm and 650 mm, preferably between 100 mm and 400 mm. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the applicator roller is made of a material having a hardness of between 60 and 100 shore. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the frame is a substantially flat plate which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the applicator roller. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 25 , further comprising a control unit mounted on the side of the frame that is opposite to the applicator roller. 
     
     
         28 . A system comprising the device according to  claim 22 , and a planar laser or a projector configured to define the desired direction, the linear optical sensor being configured to detect the desired direction. 
     
     
         29 . A method for applying a marking to a surface, comprising:
 placing a device according to  claim 17  on the floor of a warehouse comprising one or more storage racks;   defining a desired direction;   rotating the applicator roller, to advance the device in the desired direction, in particular by passing under the storage rack(s) and/or between the storage racks, and, at the same time, to exert an application force on the unrolled adhesive tape against the surface;   applying the marking to the surface by using the marking means, during the advancement of the device;   actuating the steering assembly to align the device with the desired direction during the advancement of the device.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the device comprises a linear optical sensor mounted on the first end of the frame, the linear optical sensor being configured to detect a vertical plane relative to the surface, the vertical plane being defined by a planar laser, and the desired direction corresponds to the direction of the vertical plane, wherein defining the direction to be followed comprises orienting a planar laser so as to define a vertical plane relative to the surface,
 and the method further comprises:
 orienting the steering assembly to align the linear optical sensor with the vertical plane during the advancement of the device. 
   
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the device comprises a linear optical sensor mounted on the frame so as to be oriented in the direction opposite to the surface, the linear optical sensor being configured to detect a line or pattern projected towards the surface, the projected line or pattern being defined by a projector, and the desired direction corresponds to the projected line or pattern, wherein defining the direction to be followed comprises orienting a projector so as to project a line or pattern towards the surface, and the method further comprises:
 orienting the steering assembly to align the linear optical sensor with the projected line or pattern during the advancement of the device.