Method and apparatus for repairing potholes and the like

A method for collecting for reuse an emulsion for patching potholes and the like, comprising:

• a) providing a cleaning agent compatible for admixing with the emulsion in a flush tank for subsequent patching use;
• b) pressurizing the cleaning agent in the flush tank;
• c) providing the emulsion in a storage tank;
• d) pressurizing the emulsion in the storage tank;
• e) providing a feed line;
• f) providing first and second multi-position valves along the feed line and between the storage tank and a dispensing device for selectively controlling a flow of emulsion and cleaning agent;
• g) closing an output of the flush tank and feeding emulsion from the storage tank through the first valve and the feed line by operating the first valve to a first position and operating the second valve to a first position for coupling the feed line through the second valve to the dispensing device;
• h) disconnecting the storage tank from the feed line and connecting the flush tank through the first valve to the feed line to feed cleaning agent through the first valve and the feed line by moving the first valve to a second position;
• i) feeding cleaning agent through the second valve and a return line to a recovery tank by moving the second valve to a second position, whereby the pressurized cleaning agent removes emulsion from the first and second valves, the feed line and the return line whereby the admixed cleaning agent and removed emulsion is collected in the recovery tank;
• and
• j) coupling the recovery tank to the flush tank by de-pressurizing the flush tank and coupling the recovery tank to the flush tank by opening a closed third valve to transfer the contents of the recovery tank to the flush tank for a subsequent cleaning operation,
• whereby the admixed cleaning agent and removed emulsion are accumulated in the flush tank for subsequent use to repair potholes by feeding the admixed cleaning agent and removed emulsion accumulated in the flush tank to the dispensing device for repairing a pothole, and
• k) coupling the flush tank to the dispensing head through the first and second valves by moving the first valve to the second position and the second valve to the first position when the collected emulsion reaches a given concentration.