ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCYAL..............................JDIM360 (Ver 1.5 21 Nov 2005) - 1100000/00879648EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATIONA319990414EP98304017.119980520enenen859238 19970520US19990414199915199811251998486 6B 05D 1/34 A 6B 05D 1/02 B 6B 05B 7/14 BdeVerfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen von zusammengesetzten BeschichtungenenMethod and system for application of aggregate coatingsfrProcédé et dispositif pour l'application des revêtements composés3USBI, CO.0180760024.16.68296/001P.O. Box 1900, 188 Sparkman DriveHuntsville, AL 35807USScarpa, Jack G.7917 Valley Bend DriveHuntsville, Alabama 35802USHall, Terry L.902 Crestline RoadHuntsville, Alamba 35816USHamlin, Kyle R.2406 Woodview DriveHuntsville, Alabama 35801USCosby, Steven A.Route 3 Box 485 DRogersville, Alabama 35652USHoward, Tony W.4603 Daugette Northwest DriveHunstville, Alabama 35816USBurgess, Fletcher J.105 Silver Oak LaneHuntsville, Alabama 35806USMarlin, John D., IV25061 Capshaw RoadAthens, Alabama 35611USLeckey, David Herbert00073221Frank B. Dehn & Co., European Patent Attorneys, 179 Queen Victoria StreetLondon EC4V 4ELGBATBECHCYDEDKESFIFRGBGRIEITLILUMCNLPTSEALLTLVMKROSI19990414199915

In a method of applying an aggregate coating to a substrate (34), aggregate particles (30) are released from a supply (26) which moves relative to the substrate. The particles free-fall towards the substrate, and are at least partially coated by liquid binder material (32) sprayed from a nozzle (54). The nozzle is also arranged to spray the portion of the substrate where the particles land. A further layer of binder can be sprayed onto the particles after they land, and a further layer of particles can be deposited on the first layer.

The invention also extends to a system for carrying out the method, comprising an apparatus having a hopper (26) with release means for holding and releasing the particles (30), spray means (54) for spraying the liquid binder material (32) onto the particles (30) and the substrate (34), and supply means for supplying the liquid binder material (32) to the spray means (54), and also comprising means for moving the apparatus relative to the substrate.