AU783794B2 - Improved spray gun fluid container adapter - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): FRANCIS SAXTON VINCENT STUCKEY Invention Title: IMPROVED SPRAY GUN FLUID CONTAINER ADAPTER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: IMPROVED SPRAY GUN FLUID CONTAINER ADAPTER Technical Field This invention relates to an improved spray gun fluid container adapter.

In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an improved adapter for fitting a spray gun to a container housing a liquid source.

Background Art Pneumatic spray guns are used in applications, such as panel beating, painting, weed spraying, insecticide and hormone spraying, and the like.

*e S In automotive painting applications it is important that eeeee paint is properly mixed so as to achieve the desired tone or colour for a particular application. If the paint tone is wrong, this may result in an undesirable aesthetic 20 appearance on the article to which the paint is being applied (for example a vehicle panel.) eee.ei Most spray guns have a dedicated canister to house the paint being applied by the gun.

The usual process for achieving the correct paint colour mix is to take the paint and place it into the dedicated canister. The paint is then thinned or mixed and a sample is applied. If the colour is incorrect, the process must be repeated. However, in between re-mixing the paint, the canister must be washed, to avoid cross-contamination of paints.

S:41857 A similar problem can occur when mixing agricultural sprays.

As up to a week can be spent matching paint in difficult jobs, the amount of paint thinner and cleaner used for cleaning the container can be substantial. Having to wash each time the paint is re-mixed is also time consuming.

Some methods involve dipping the gun in a paint tin to test, however, this method is inadequate as the paint drips where it is not wanted.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention 15 will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

Disclosure of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is 20 provided an adapting assembly for attaching an applicator gun to a receptacle, the assembly including: ooooo a lid portion connectable to or adapted to be in communication with an applicator gun, said lid portion being adapted or able to at least substantially close off an open end of the receptacle, sealing means, said sealing means being adapted or able to fit between said lid portion and said open end of the receptacle, S:41857 4 closure means for independently securing "the lid portion to said receptacle.

Preferably the sealing means is in the form of an 0-ring.

Preferably the closure means is in the form of a collar adapted or able to fit around the receptacle, said collar being provided with clamping means to secure the lid portion to the receptacle.

Preferably the collar is provided with tightening means to tighten said collar about said receptacle.

preferably the tightening means is in the form of a hose-clip type arrangement.

Preferably the clamping means is in the form of one or more over-centre latches.

oo o 20 Preferably the lid portion is provided with a ridge or o*o groove to engage with said clamping means.

preferably the flange is adapted or able to fit over *h and/or extend along the sides of the open end of the 25 receptacle.

g* Preferably the flange is further adapted or able to S• receive and/or retain said sealing means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching an applicator gun to a receptacle, said method including the steps of: attaching a lid portion, adapted or able to at least substantially close off an open end of the receptacle, to an applicator gun, placing sealing means around or adjacent said open end of the receptacle, placing the lid portion on top of or over the open end of the receptacle, using closure means to secure the lid portion to or about said open end of the receptacle.

15 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a spraying assembly including: oeooo an applicator gun, 20 a receptacle, an adapting assembling for attaching the applicator gun to the receptacle, substantially as described above.

For convenience only, reference to an applicator gun may preferably be meant to refer to a pneumatic fluid/liquid spray gun.

In preferred embodiments the receptacle may be a paint receptacle such as a paint tin. Thus, the paint receptacle rim may be as is commonly provided to receive a S:41857 paint lid protrusion, that is, a receptacle rim being indented or grooved and adapted to receive a lid protrusion.

Reference to a lid portion connectable to an applicator gun may refer to the lid being configured to, or having an attachment suitable for attaching, an applicator gun, or for attaching to a portion of the applicator gun, for example a delivery line.

This may include a bayonet clip, snap lock, pneumatic attachment and so forth.

Reference to the lid portion able to close off the 15 receptacle top is intended to describe a variety of embodiments.

For example, the lid portion may have substantially the same shape as the receptacle top.

In such an embodiment, the lid may be substantially flat eooee S"and adapted to sit on the receptacle top with its edges substantially at or near the edges of the receptacle rim, in order to substantially close off the receptacle.

Alternatively, the lid may preferably include a lip or flange at its edges, so that the lid substantially receives the receptacle rim and/or the sealing means. In such an embodiment, the lip or flange may fit over and/or extend along the sides of the open end of the receptacle to thus securely fit the lid portion to same and/or provide for an adequate seal between same.

S:41857 The sealing means may preferably be adapted or able to fit between the lid portion and the open end or rim of the receptacle.

Any suitable sealing means may be utilised as required or as desired, or as dictated by the proposed use of the applicator gun and/or the type of material to be sprayed.

For example, the sealing means may be in the form of a compressible, yet substantially waterproof material such as a plastic or rubber strip. Another example would include the use of a gasket.

15 In a preferred embodiment the sealing means may be in the form of a rubber O-ring (assuming that the receptacle and/or the lid portion are substantially circular in shape).

Preferably, the O-ring may have a circumference that allows the O-ring to be placed on the rim of the •cole: receptacle, so that at least part of the O-ring lies on or is in the rim.

Any suitable closure means which allows for the lid portion to be secured to the receptacle may be utilised.

For example, the closure means may be in the form of clamps, screws, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure means may preferably be in the form of a collar adapted or able to S:41857 fit around the receptacle, the collar being provided with clamping means to secure the lid portion to the receptacle.

It is envisaged that the collar may be an arrangement, including a strap, band, or so forth that is attachable to the side or bottom of the receptacle and able to be secured in position. The collar may be secured by tightening means such as nuts, screws, wingnuts, pulleys, rope and so forth.

Preferably, the tightening means may be in the form of a hose-clip type arrangement, that is one whereby tightening a screw incorporated within the collar or band draws the 15 collar or band tighter together by decreasing the diameter of same. An example of such clips are known as "jubilee" i clips.

Any suitable clamping means may be utilised, although 20 preferably the clamping means should be such that pressure is exerted on the lid portion thus constantly forcing it S"against and/or retaining it with respect to the open end of the receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping means may be in the form of one or more over-centre latches, such as those commonly found on suitcases, old vacuum cleaners and the like.

In one embodiment, the lid portion may be provided with a ridge or groove to engage with the clamping means and thus S:41857 9assist in securing the lid portion to or about the open end of the receptacle.

The adapting assembly, substantially as described above, may be utilised as follows.

Firstly, the lid portion may be attached to an applicator gun, or be placed in communication with same eg, attached to a delivery line. The sealing means such as an 0-ring, may then be placed around or adjacent the open end of the receptacle. The lid portion may thereafter be placed on or over the open end of the receptacle, with the closure means being utilised to secure the lid portion to or about the open end of the receptacle.

Embodiments of the present invention can have a number of potential advantages.

One potential advantage is that an operator is not limited 20 to having to use a dedicated spray canister for either the *o application of the substance, or for the trial mixing and application of a particular substance mix.

o.

So In spray paint application, because the standard canister 25 does not have to be used over and over for each application, there is a drastic reduction in the amount of cleaning with paint thinner and other chemicals that is necessary.

Embodiments of the present invention may also allow, in chemical spray applications, such as insecticide, fungicide, herbicide spraying, a single adapter according to an embodiment of the present 10 invention could be used easily and conveniently for all applications with no or minimal cleaning required.

Embodiments of the present invention may simply be attached to each relevant spray tin or can. A gardener could therefore spray their cabbages for white butterfly, then tomatoes for fungus disease and then without cleaning the equipment, attach a tin of Roundup T M and spray weeds on their drive.

Consequently there is a saving in time and labour, as well as a cost saving that flows from a reduction in the amount of chemicals necessary.

Embodiments of the present invention may also allow a new container to be used for each different colour match or agricultural spray.

oo' Further, a number of paint mixers can be created and 20 stored in a standard paint tin for use when required. The paint mix will not have to be reintroduced into a *dedicated canister, but can be drawn directly from the paint tin.

25 One advantage of using an O-ring is that the O-ring will fit into a paint tin rim to provide an adequate seal, and furthermore 0-rings used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention would have an advantage over flat 3 seals which have a tendency to deteriorate more rapidly.

Brief Description of Drawings The present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 11 Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention Having regard to figure i, there is shown an exploded view of an adapting assembly for attaching an applicator gun to a receptacle, the adapting assembly being generally indicated by arrow 1.

The adapting assembly 1 includes a lid portion 2 which is connectable to an applicator gun 3 by virtue of the connector 4.

The lid portion 2 is adapted or able to at least close off an open end 7 of the receptacle 6.

The assembly 1 also includes sealing means in the form of 20 an 0-ring 5, the 0-ring 5 being adapted to fit between the

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lid portion 2 and the open end 7 of the receptacle 6.

*There is also provided closure means for securing the lid portion 2 to the receptacle 6, the closure a means 25 comprising a collar 8 adapted to fit around the receptacle 6, and clamping means 9 adapted to secure the lid portion 2 to the open end 7 of the receptacle 6.

The closure means also includes a tightening means in the form of a binder 10, which, when screwed forces the plates lla, b together, thus tightening the collar 8 around the receptacle 6. This is similar to a hose-clip type arrangement or a "jubilee" clip.

In use, the lid portion 2 is connected to, or rendered to be in communication with, the applicator gun 3 by use of the connector 4. The connector 4 is a bayonet clip adapted for use with a pneumatic attachment (such clips are well known in the art and need not be described further here) The 0-ring 5 is then placed around the rim or open end 7 of the receptacle 6.

The receptacle 6 is a paint tin, and hence the rim or open end 7 has an indentation or groove which would ordinarily be adapted to receive the paint tin lid (not shown) 15 However, the indented or grooved rim is particularly suitable for receiving the O-ring 5 as it will fit snugly within and upon same.

The lid portion 2 may then be fitted over the O-ring 5 and open end 7 of the receptacle 6.

S"The lid portion 2 is provided with flanges 2a which are adapted to extend slightly down the sides of the receptacle 6, and are also adapted to receive the 0-ring within same.

The collar 8 may be fitted to the receptacle 6 at any stage during the process, and, once fitted, the clamping means 9 may be utilised to secure the lid portion 2 with respect to the receptacle 6.

S:41857 13 The clamping means 9 are in the form of over-centre latches as are commonly utilised for suitcases and old vacuum cleaners and the like. The use of such latches allow for a tension or pressure to be constantly present between the lid portion 2 and the receptacle 6.

The upper surface of the lid portion 2 is provided with a groove adapted to specifically receive and/or retain the clamps 9 (groove not shown).

Once the apparatus 1 has been fitted, the substance in the receptacle 6, in this instance paint, can be drawn under vacuum by the applicator gun 3 and used accordingly.

"Embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made hereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the S* 25 common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. An adapting assembly for attaching an applicator gun to a receptacle, the assembly including: a lid portion connectable to or adapted to be in communication with an applicator gun, said lid portion being adapted or able to at least substantially close off an open end of the receptacle, sealing means, said sealing means being adapted or able to fit between said lid portion and said open end of the receptacle, closure means for independently securing the lid portion to said receptacle. 15 2. An adapting assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein o said sealing means is in the form of an O-ring.

3. An adapting assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said closure means is in the form of a collar adapted or able to fit around the receptacle, said collar being provided with clamping means to secure the lid portion to the receptacle. oo o

4. An adapting assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein 25 said collar is provided with tightening means to tighten said collar about said receptacle. An adapting assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said tightening means is in the form of a hose-clip type arrangement.

6. An adapting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein said clamping means is in the form of one or more over-centre latches.

7. An adapting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein said lid portion is provided with a ridge or groove to engage with said clamping means.

8. An adapting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said lid portion is provided with a flange, said flange being adapted or able to fit over and/or extend along the sides of the open end of the receptacle. 15 9. An adapting assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said flange is further adapted or able to receive and/or retain said sealing means. 0. A method of attaching an applicator gun to a receptacle, said method including the steps of: attaching a lid portion, adapted or able to at S" least substantially close off an open end of the receptacle, to an applicator gun, placing sealing means around or adjacent said open end of the receptacle, placing the lid portion on top of or over the open end of the receptacle, using closure means to secure the lid portion to or about said open end of the receptacle.

11. A spraying assembly including: an applicator gun, S:41857 a receptacle, an adapting assembly for attaching the applicator gun to the receptacle, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. An adapting assembly substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawing. 13 A method of attaching an applicator gun to a receptacle, substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawing.

14. A spraying assembly substantially as described herein, and with reference to the drawing. Dated this 11th day of April 2001 *o -FRANCIS SAXTON VINCENT STUCKEY 20 By his Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK *o a S:41857