AU2022200222A1

AU2022200222A1 - Paint application system

Info

Publication number: AU2022200222A1
Application number: AU2022200222A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kurt van Wijck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-01-15
Filing date: 2022-01-14
Publication date: 2022-08-04

Abstract

Abstract A paint application system for applying paint to a surface, comprising a bladder member containing the paint; a cannister for housing the bladder member in an enclosed space; an applicator in fluid connection with the bladder member for applying the paint to the surface; a positive pressure generating device for generating a positive pressure within the enclosed space of the cannister; and a negative pressure generating device for generating a negative pressure within the enclosed space of the cannister; wherein, upon activation of the positive pressure generating device, the positive pressure generated within the enclosed space of the cannister acts upon the walls of the bladder member to expel paint from the bladder member to the applicator for application to the surface, and upon activation of the negative pressure generating device, the negative pressure generated within the enclosed space of the cannister acts upon the walls of the bladder member to retract paint from the applicator to the bladder member. 'IC) 0 2::! / /

Description

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PAINT APPLICATION SYSTEM RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2021900082 filed 15 January 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a paint application system for delivering paint to a surface and in particular, to a paint delivery system for applying a constant flow of paint to a surface in a controlled and efficient manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In most buildings, such as residential homes and offices, there is a general requirement to paint internal and external walls to achieve a desired finish or appeal that is pleasing to the eye of the observer. Typically, paint is applied to such a surface by way of an applicator, such as a brush or roller, which is firstly dipped, or otherwise coated, with paint that is then transferred to the surface to be painted. The user, via the applicator, applies the paint to the surface such that the paint is largely transferred from the applicator to the surface, at which point the user will then reapply paint to the surface of the applicator and repeat the process until the surface is coated to a desired level.

Paint is typically supplied in the form of a receptacle, such as in a tub or tin, having lid that seals the receptacle for transport and storage. To access the paint, the lid is typically pried open to enable a brush to be dipped into the paint, or for the paint to be poured into a tray into which a roller can be dipped. As a result, handling of paint between paint receptacles and applicators has been a traditionally messy process requiring drop sheets and other equipment to capture and clean paint spills and drips.

A variety of different devices have been employed to address the manual aspect of the painting application process. Such devices include the use of spray guns and other automated devices that propel or otherwise deliver the paint to the surface to be painted. Whilst such devices have been effective in reducing the traditional manual requirements of painting with a brush or roller and have reduced the need to constantly reapply paint to the brush or roller, they are generally still messy to use and require the user to come into considerable contact with the paint, especially during the act of filling the device from the paint receptacle.

Thus, there is a need to provide a paint application system that can be used to apply paint to a surface in a controlled manner that minimises the user's contact with the paint and which is both simple and efficient to use.

The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a paint application system for applying paint to a surface, comprising: a bladder member containing the paint; a cannister for housing the bladder member in an enclosed space; an applicator in fluid connection with the bladder member for applying the paint to the surface; a positive pressure generating device for generating a positive pressure within the enclosed space of the cannister; and a negative pressure generating device for generating a negative pressure within the enclosed space of the cannister; wherein, upon activation of the positive pressure generating device, the positive pressure generated within the enclosed space of the cannister acts upon the walls of the bladder member to expel paint from the bladder member to the applicator for application to the surface, and upon activation of the negative pressure generating device, the negative pressure generated within the enclosed space of the cannister acts upon the walls of the bladder member to retract paint from the applicator to the bladder member. In one embodiment, the bladder member comprises a body of flexible polymeric material having walls capable of expanding and contracting under pressure.

The bladder member may have an inlet/outlet that mates with an inlet/outlet of the cannister.

The applicator may be connected to the inlet/outlet of the cannister by way of a flexible tube extending therebetween. In one embodiment, the applicator is a roller applicator having a absorbent roller member that receives paint from the bladder member and applies the paint to the surface. In another embodiment, the applicator is a brush applicator having bristles that receives paint from the bladder member and applies the paint to the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the paint application system of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows the container system of the paint application system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a partially exploded view of the container system of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a bladder member for containing the paint in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a plurality of bladder members of Fig. 4 containing paint arranged for purchase at a retail outlet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows the container system of Fig. 2 in a paint dispensing mode wherein a positive pressure is generated within the cannister to deliver paint from the bladder member to the dispenser for painting;

Fig. 7 shows the container system of Fig. 2 in a paint collection mode wherein a negative pressure is generated within the cannister to return paint to the bladder member from the dispenser;

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a roller applicator of the present system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 shows a cross sectional plan view of the roller applicator of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a brush applicator of the present system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional plan view of the brush applicator of Fig. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

The present invention will be described below in relation to the application of paint to a surface, such as a wall or roof of a building. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention could be used in the application of any type of fluid to a surface for the purpose of coating that surface with the fluid.

Referring to Fig. 1, the application system 10 of the present invention is depicted. The system 10 comprises a container system 20 for containing and supplying the paint to be applied to the surface, and applicators 12, 16 for applying the paint contained within the container system 20 to the surface that is to be painted.

Referring to Fig, 8 and Fig. 9, the applicator 12 is of a roller type having a handle 13 for gripping the applicator 12 and a head portion 11 having an absorbent roller member 14 for applying paint directly to the surface to be painted in a manner as will be discussed in more detail below. The applicator 12 is connected to the container system 20 by way of a tube 5 that connects between an inlet 9 mounted to the head portion 11 and an outlet provided in the container system 20. The tube 5 is made from a flexible material and functions to provide a passage for the delivery of paint from the container system 20 to the applicator 12.

Referring to Fig. 11, the applicator 16 is in the form of a brush type applicator having a handle 17 that terminates in a head portion 18 having bristles 19 extending therefrom. The base of the handle 17 has an inlet 15 to which an end of the tube 5 connects to receive paint from the container system 20, in a manner to be described in more detail below.

An embodiment of the container system 20 is shown in isolation in Figs. 2 and 3. The container system 20 comprises a canister 22 in the form of a container having an opening 23. In the embodiment as shown, the opening 23 is circular and has a cylindrical rim portion 24 that projects about the opening 23 having an external thread formed thereon.

A bladder member 30 is configured to be inserted into the canister 22 via the opening 23. The bladder member 30 is depicted in isolation in Fig. 4 and is made from a soft and flexible material, such as silicone or similar polymeric materials that are capable of expanding and contracting under pressure. The bladder member 30 is configured to be filled with a predetermined volume of paint, such as in 1 or 2 litre volumes, although different volumes or sized bladder members can also be provided. The bladder member 30 has a valve 32 that 1o functions as a two-way valve to provide an inlet for filling the bladder member 30 with paint, and an outlet for releasing paint therefrom. In this regard, the bladder member 30 functions as a bag for storing paint and paint is supplied for purchase at a retail outlet in the bladder member in the manner as depicted in Fig. 5. Such a paint supply system obviates the need to supply paint in the form of tins, pots, cans or other simular containers and provides a simple and clean means for handling paint that minimises physical contact of the user with the paint.

Referring to Fig. 3, following purchase of the bladder member 30, the valve 32 of bladder member 30 is connected to an opening of a sealing plate 25. The opening of the sealing plate comprises a connector (not shown) that mates with the valve 32 to form an air-tight seal therebetween. A sealing ring 26 may be provided between the bladder member 30 and the sealing plate 25 to further enhance the sealing between the valve 32 of the bladder member 30 and the sealing plate 25.

The sealing plate 25 is configured to be snugly received within the opening 23 of the canister 22. To facilitate this, the periphery of the sealing plate 25 has a lip portion 25a that is configured to be seated on the upper surface of the rim portion 24 of the opening 23. A collar member 27 is then provided to fit over the sealing plate 25 and rim portion 24 of the opening 23. The collar member 27 has an internal thread that engages with the external thread provided on the rim portion 24 of the opening 23 such that the collar member 27 screwingly engages about the opening 23. The collar member 27 has a flange portion 27a that extends radially inward about the upper periphery thereof, such that as the collar member screwingly engages with the rim portion 24 of the opening 23, the flange portion 27a functions to sandwich the lip portion 25a of the sealing plate 25 between flange portion 27a and the upper surface of the rim member 24 to provide an air tight seal for the internal space of the canister 22.

The upper and outward facing surface of the sealing plate 25 has an outlet 28 centrally provided therein. The outlet 28 is in the form of a two way valve that attaches to the tube 5 that extends between the canister 22 and the applicators 12, 16. The outlet 28 is in fluid communication with the bladder member 30 to enable paint to flow from the bladder member to the applicators 12, 16 via the tube 5 under a positive pressure, and to enable the paint to flow from the applicators 12, 16 and tube 5 to the bladder member 30 under the application of a negative pressure, as will be discussed in more detail below.

A positive pressure generating device 35 is mounted to the canister 22, to extend into the internal space of the canister 22. The positive pressure generating device 35 is in the form of a pump having a piston (not shown) sealingly mounted within a tube 36 that extends into the internal space of the canister 22. The tube 36 has an open distal end that is located in the internal space of the canister 22. The upper end of the piston is provided with a handle 37 that can be gripped by a user to cause the piston to move in a reciprocating manner within the tube 36 to generate a positive pressure within the internal space of the canister 22. Following generation of the positive pressure within the internal space of the canister 22, the device 35 can be locked in position by rotating the handle 37 thereby maintaining the pressure within the canister 22.

A negative pressure generating device 40 is also mounted to the canister 22, to extend into the internal space of the canister 22. The negative pressure generating device 40 is also in the form of a pump having a piston (not shown) sealingly mounted within a tube 41 that extends into the internal space of the canister 22. The tube 41 has an open distal end that is located in the internal space of the canister 22. The upper end of the piston is provided with a handle 42 that can be gripped by a user to cause the piston to move in a reciprocating manner within the tube 41 to remove air from the internal space of the canister 22 to generate a negative pressure within the internal space of the canister 22. Following generation of the negative pressure within the internal space of the canister 22, the device 40 can be locked in position by rotating the handle 42 thereby maintaining the pressure within the canister 22.

The manner in which the system of the present invention can be utilised to control the delivery of paint to the applicators 12, 16 from the bladder member 30 can be understood more clearly in relation to Fig. 6. The container system 20 is firstly configured such that the outlet 28 is in fluid communication with the applicator 12, 16 by way of the tube 5. When the tube 5 is correctly connected to the outlet 28, the outlet opens to facilitate free flow of paint between the bladder

30 and the applicator 12, 16. To facilitate flow of paint to the applicator 12, 16, the user grips handle 27 of the positive pressure generating device 35 and applies a pumping action to the piston to pressurise the internal space of the canister 22. As the internal space of the canister 22 becomes pressurised, the walls of the flexible bladder member experience a pressure to close around the paint thereby expelling paint from the bladder member 30 and into the applicators 12, 16 via the tube 5.

Once the user has generated the appropriate amount of positive pressure within the canister 22, the positive pressure generating device 35 can be disengaged and locked into position to enable the user to apply the paint from the applicator 12, 16 to the surface to be painted. As the paint is expelled from the bladder member 30, the internal pressure within the canister 22 will begin to equalise thereby slowing the rate of flow of paint from the bladder member 30. In the event that the rate of flow of paint to the applicator 12, 16 is too low, the user can simply apply pumping action to the positive pressure generating device 35 to increase the pressure within the canister 22to increase the flow rate of the paint to a desired level.

It will be appreciated that the user, from time to time, may wish to stop painting in order to have a rest, change painting locations, move or adjust furniture, etc. In such situations it is necessary to cease flow of paint to the applicator so as to avid dripping. This can be simply achieved by depressing the pressure equalisation member 38 which will result in opening the internal space of the canister 22 to the external environment, rapidly reducing the pressure within the canister to stop flow of paint from the bladder member 30 to the applicators 12, 16.

Referring to Fig. 7, upon completing a painting task the user can simply depress the pressure equalisation member 38 to stop flow of paint from the bladder member 30 and effectively recover any excess paint in the applicator 12, 16 or tube 5 by utilising the negative pressure generating device 40. By applying a pumping action to the negative pressure generating device 40 a vacuum or negative pressure is generated within the internal space of the canister 22, causing the walls of the bladder member 30 to experience a separating force to cause the bladder member to expand. This will generate a negative pressure within the tube 5 thereby causing all paint present in the tube 5 and applicator 12, 16 to return to the bladder member 30 where it will be captured for storage or re use. Such a system of recovering paint minimises mess associated with using the system and reduces wastage of paint, which is a common problem with existing painting devices.

At the completion of use of the system 10, the user can simply remove the tube 5 and disconnect the bladder member 30 from the sealing plate 25, whereby the paint will be sealed within the bladder member 30 and the user does not have to have any physical contact with the paint during the set up and packing up steps. The bladder members 30 can be simply returned to the place of purchase for re use, thereby obviating the need to dispose of the members to landfill, as is common with existing paint tins and receptacles. If the bladder members 30 become damaged or unable to be re-filled with paint, they can be simply recycled for re-use.

The paint application system 10 of the present invention allows for simple interchangeability of applicators 12, 16 without mess and complicated connections between components.

A roller applicator 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Fig. 8 and 9.

The roller applicator 12 has a handle 13 that can be detachably connected to the head portion 11 to accommodate a variety of different lengths of handles 12 as required. The tube 5 that is in fluid communication with the bladder member 30 for delivering the paint to the roller applicator 12 has a fitting that attaches to the inlet 9 provided on the head portion 11 in a sealed manner. In this regard, the roller applicator 12 can be simply connected/disconnected to the container system 20 by connecting/disconnecting the tube 5 from the inlet 9.

Once the tube 5 is connected to the inlet 9 of the roller applicator, the canister 22 can be pressurised to deliver paint under pressure to the head portion 11 of the applicator 12. The paint is then fed directly to a rail member 50 that extends the length of the absorbent roller member 14 so as to be in contact with the absorbent roller member 14, when fitted to the head portion 11 of the applicator 12. The rail member 50 fills up with paint such that the paint is evenly distributed along the rail member 50 at which point the paint is delivered onto the surface of the absorbent roller member 14 by way of pores formed along the length of the rail member 50.

As the absorbent roller member 14 rotates over the surface to be painted, the paint is delivered onto the absorbent roller member 14 in the direction of the arrows as shown in Fig. 9. This ensures that there is a consistent flow of paint onto the absorbent roller member 14 during the painting motion to deliver the paint to the surface to be painted. At the completion of painting, and upon activation of the pressure equalisation member 38, the paint will cease to flow to the head portion 11 of the roller applicator 12 and upon activation of the negative pressure generating device 40, any paint present in the head portion 11 and the tube 5, will be drawn back into the bladder member 30 within the canister 22. The tube 5 can then be simply disconnected from the inlet 9 of the head portion 11 and removed for washing, without the need to handle excess flowing paint.

Referring to Figs 10 and 11, a brush applicator 16 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is depicted.

The brush applicator 16 comprises a handle 17 having an inlet 15 located at an end thereof. The inlet 15 functions in the same manner as the inlet 9 on the roller applicator 12 as discussed above, In this regard, the tube 5 that is in fluid communication with the bladder member 30 for delivering the paint to the brush applicator 16 has a fitting that attaches to the inlet 15 provided on the end of the handle 17 in a sealed manner. With such an arrangement, the brush applicator 16 can be simply connected/disconnected to/from the container system 20 by connecting/disconnecting the tube 5 from the inlet 15.

Once the tube 5 is connected to the inlet 15 of the brush applicator 16, the canister 22 can be pressurised to deliver paint under pressure to the handle 17 of the applicator 16. The paint then flows through a tube provided in the handle 17, to the head portion 18 where the paint fills a flexible sleeve 52 that is located within the bristles 19 that extend from the head portion. As the flexible sleeve 52 fills with paint, the paint is released from the end of the sleeve 52 into the bristles, as is shown by the arrows. The bristles 19 then function in a conventional manner to apply the paint to the surface to be painted.

In order to adjust the flow rate of paint in the brush applicator 16, a valve 53 is provided in the tube present in the handle 17 which is controllable by a controller 54. In the embodiment as shown, the controller 54 is a rotating wheel member that is able to be rotated by the user's thumb or finger to control the state of the valve 53 to ensure that the desired amount of paint is delivered to the bristles to ensure desired end result and to minimise wastage and mess.

At the completion of painting, and upon activation of the pressure equalisation member 38, the paint will cease to flow to the handle 17 of the brush applicator 16 and upon activation of the negative pressure generating device 40, any paint present in the flexible sleeve 52, the tube within the handle portion 17, and the tube 5, will be drawn back into the bladder member 30 within the canister 22.

The tube 5 can then be simply disconnected from the inlet 15 of the handle 17 and removed for washing, without the need to handle excess flowing paint.

In order to accommodate different painting requirements, the head portion 18 of the brush applicator 16 can be simply detached from the handle to be interchanged with different sized head portions and bristles and to further simplify the cleaning process.

It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention provides a paint application system that is clean and efficient to use and which minimises user contact with the paint. The applicators are able to be quickly and easily connected to the system for use and the system is able to be simply charged to deliver the paint to the applicators under pressure and to return the paint back to the cannister as required. Such a system ensures that the paint is fully contained within the system and the flow of paint throughout the system can be simply controlled.

The present invention achieves this through the supply of paint in a bladder form. The bladder replaces the traditional cans or tubs that have been used to supply paint to the end consumer, thereby significantly minimising contact between the user and the paint. The bladder members that contain the paint have a valve outlet that can be simply mounted within the cannister in a sealed manner and be ready for use as desired. There is no need to transfer the paint from the bladder members into other receptacles, significantly minimising the opportunities for paint spillage and wastage.

Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

EDITORIAL NOTE 2022200222 There is one page of claims only The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A paint application system for applying paint to a surface, comprising: a bladder member containing the paint; a cannister for housing the bladder member in an enclosed space; an applicator in fluid connection with the bladder member for applying the paint to the surface; a positive pressure generating device for generating a positive pressure within the enclosed space of the cannister; and a negative pressure generating device for generating a negative pressure within the enclosed space of the cannister; wherein, upon activation of the positive pressure generating device, the positive pressure generated within the enclosed space of the cannister acts upon the walls of the bladder member to expel paint from the bladder member to the applicator for application to the surface, and upon activation of the negative pressure generating device, the negative pressure generated within the enclosed space of the cannister acts upon the walls of the bladder member to retract paint from the applicator to the bladder member.

2. A paint application system according to claim 1, wherein the bladder member comprises a body of flexible polymeric material having walls capable of expanding and contracting under pressure.

3. A paint application system according to claim 1, wherein the bladder member has an inlet/outlet that mates with an inlet/outlet of the cannister.

4. A paint application system according to claim 3 wherein the applicator is connected to the inlet/outlet of the cannister by way of a flexible tube extending therebetween.

5. A paint application system according to claim 4, wherein the applicator is a roller applicator having an absorbent roller member that receives paint from the bladder member and applies the paint to the surface.

6. A paint application system according to claim 4, wherein the applicator is a brush applicator having bristles that receives paint from the bladder member and applies the paint to the surface.