DE3875412T2 - SPRAY CLEANER. - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for the automatic cleaning of paint spray gun assemblies and individual components thereof.

Paint and varnish shops use paint spray gun assemblies to paint products, especially in the automotive industry. Ejector spray guns are typically used for small jobs requiring a small amount of paint, whereas pressure spray guns are typically used for larger jobs. Such spray guns can quickly apply a coat of paint to products. After a specific job using a specific paint, the paint spray gun assemblies must be thoroughly cleaned of that paint before using them with another paint. Cleaning represents machine downtime when using the paint spray gun assemblies, which requires the shop to have a large number of guns if the skilled paint sprayer is to remain engaged for painting operations with different colors throughout the day.

In addition, the clean-up operation is an unpleasant and dangerous job that requires the use of toxic, volatile paint solvents, which are usually flammable and nauseating. Typically, the clean-up operation involves a period of time during which in which the spray gun assembly is immersed in an open vat of cleaning fluid, allowing the assembly to soak in the fluid and loosen paint residues using a metal brush or scraper, followed by rinsing with fresh cleaning fluid.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for automatically cleaning paint spray gun assemblies.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an apparatus and method capable of cleaning a plurality of such paint spray gun assemblies.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such an apparatus and method capable of cleaning one or more paint spray gun assemblies in a very short time.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such an apparatus and method which avoids or minimizes the hazards associated with exposure to toxic paint cleaning fluids.

Additional items and benefits will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for the automatic cleaning of paint spray gun assemblies comprises a cleaning chamber provided with a bottom opening,

Means for defining a chamber located below the floor opening to collect liquid from the cleaning chamber,

a fluid flow control system including a fluid flow distribution system having a plurality of cleaning fluid outlets for ejecting cleaning fluid within the cleaning chamber,

a liquid pump having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid discharge line for the flow of cleaning liquid from the liquid outlet to the liquid flow control system and a liquid return line for the flow of cleaning liquid from the collection chamber to the liquid inlet, characterized in that a portion of the outlets define means for receiving a paint spray gun in the cleaning chamber (12) so that the paint channel inside the paint spray gun is in direct fluid communication with one of the outlets,

that the liquid pump is pneumatically operated, that an air flow system is provided which has an air discharge line, wherein the liquid pump has an air inlet which is in air flow connection with the air discharge line,

the air flow system and the liquid flow control system have separate, independent flow lines,

that timing means in the air flow system are adapted so that the function of the liquid pump can be interrupted within a predetermined time, and

a component is adapted to hold a trigger device for a paint spray gun in a closed working position.

The use of a high pressure jet according to this invention, whereby jets of cleaning fluid impinge on paint-contaminated surfaces, results in rapid removal of the paint in a surprisingly short time. Although the cleaning cycle could be continued beyond 60 seconds, this is unnecessary and wasteful as no further advantage is gained. In fact, insofar as extending the cleaning cycle beyond 60 seconds results in reintroduction of fluid containing entrained paint residues which could come into contact with the parts being cleaned, this could result in deposition of paint residues on the parts, making such an extension detrimental.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for cleaning at least one spray gun assembly comprises:

positioning a spray gun in a cleaning chamber;

providing pressurized cleaning fluid to the paint spray gun through a fluid flow system using an air flow system;

applying the cleaning fluid to paint-contaminated surfaces of the paint spray gun within the cleaning chamber, characterized in that

the cleaning liquid is pumped through the liquid flow system by means of a liquid pump which is actuated by air in the air flow system, the air flow system being kept separate from the liquid flow system and the liquid pump being actuated for a predetermined period of time.

The paint-contaminated surfaces of the paint spray gun are, in particular, the walls of the paint channel inside the paint spray gun, which walls come into contact with the paint as it flows through the paint spray gun. However, other surfaces, including the outside of the paint spray gun, which could be directly or indirectly exposed to paint during use, must also be included.

The invention and particularly preferred embodiments are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning device according to this invention, with a part cut away to show the interior;

Fig. 2 is a front plan view of the device of Fig. 1 partially cross-sectional to show the interior;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the cleaning liquid routing system and the pneumatic circulation system of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail illustrating means for holding the trigger of a closed spray gun in the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of part of the cleaning device in another embodiment of the invention ;

Fig. 6 shows a detail of the device of Fig. 5.

With specific reference to Fig. 1, a cleaning device 10 includes a cleaning chamber 12, a cleaning fluid flow system 14, a bath 16 and a pneumatic Circulation system 18.

The cleaning chamber 12 includes a support screen 20 at its lower end and an overhead opening 22. A flap 24 is hingedly mounted by means of hinges 26 along one of the sides of the overhead opening 22. The overhead opening 22 includes an inner collar 28 having a shoulder 30 for supporting the flap 24 when closed.

The cleaning fluid flow control system 14 includes a cleaning fluid pump 36 having a pump fluid outlet 37 that is in communication with a fluid discharge line 38.

The liquid discharge line 38 is in liquid flow communication with a distributor pipe 40, which is connected via a connecting pipe 44 to a distributor pipe 42.

The distribution pipe 40 includes a horizontal pipe 46 which spans one side of the area under the screen 20 and terminates at its opposite end in a pair of vertical pipes 48 having closed upper ends 50.

Similarly, the manifold 42 includes a horizontal tube 52 spanning the other side of the area under the screen 20 and having vertical tubes 54 on its opposite ends, these terminating in closed ends 56.

The horizontal distribution pipes 46 and 52 have short intermediate pipe sections 47 and 53, respectively, which are generally parallel; the connecting pipe 44 extends between opposite intermediate pipe sections 47 and 53.

Outer tube portions 49 and 51 of the horizontal tube 46 extend from opposite ends of intermediate tube portion 47 to the vertical tubes 48; similarly, outer Pipe parts 55 and 57 of the horizontal pipe 52 from opposite ends of intermediate pipe part 53 to the vertical pipes 54.

A discharge pipe 58 and a wide-angle nozzle 59 are formed in a horizontal pipe part 46 in the respective outer pipe parts 49 and 51; and a discharge pipe 60 and a wide-angle nozzle 61 are formed in the horizontal pipe part 52 in the respective outer pipe parts 55 and 57. The wide-angle nozzles 59 and 61 protrude through the screen 20. Wide-angle nozzles 62 are formed in vertical pipes 48, and wide-angle nozzles 64 are formed in vertical pipes 54.

A pair of discharge ports 70 are formed in outer tube members 49 on both sides of discharge tube 58; and discharge ports 72 are formed in outer tube member 55, one on each side of discharge tube 60.

A fitting 73 is provided for mating with discharge tube 58 or 60. The tapered end portions of fitting 73 and discharge tubes 58 and 60 are roughened, for example by knurling, grooving or by providing them with flats spaced 180º apart to cause some leakage in use, as described below.

A strainer cartridge 66 is connected via a return line 68 to a pump fluid inlet 69 in the fluid pump 36.

Referring specifically to Fig. 3, the pneumatic circulation system 18 includes an air inlet line 74, an air collector 76, a pneumatic timing valve 78, and an air discharge line 80 that communicates with the fluid pump 36 via an air inlet port 82.

The air inlet line 74 is connected via a valve 84 to a collector inlet line 86 which is connected to the air collector 76.

A branch line 88 in the collector inlet line 86 is connected to an air pressure measuring device 90.

A collector outlet line 92 connects the air collector 76 to an inlet end 93 of the pneumatic timing valve 78. The pneumatic timing valve 78 includes a timing adjustment device 94 which includes an air outlet opening 95 having an adjustable closure 99, which may specifically comprise a screw closure received in opening 95.

The branch line 96 from the air inlet line 74 is connected to the outlet end 97 of the pneumatic timing valve 78.

A flap safety valve 100, the function of which will be described later, is provided in the air discharge line 80 between the pneumatic timing valve 78 and the air inlet opening 82.

A branch line 102 extends between the branch line 96 and the air discharge line 80. An air control valve 104 is provided in the branch line 102.

A timing push button 106 is operable in conjunction with valve 84.

A restrictor 110 in the air discharge line 80 limits the air flow therein to control the speed of pump 36.

The bath 16 includes a chamber 112 having a vertical front wall 114, a pair of inclined side walls 116 and an inclined rear wall 118. The side walls 116 have support flanges 117. The chamber 112 is in the form of an inverted truncated pyramid, shaped at right angles to have a straight vertical front wall 114. A drain valve 120 is located at the union of the lower ends of the walls 114, 116 and 118 and thus at the front of the chamber 112. A shell 122 surrounds the chamber 112 and stands on feet 124, a portion of the shell 122 actually forming the front wall 114 of the chamber 112.

An actuator plate 126 is carried on the flap 24 and a switch plate 128 is operably associated with the flap safety valve 100. A vertically movable switch linkage 130 is attached to the switch plate 128 and is guided by guides 132. The switch plate 128 engages a spring loaded piston 134 in the safety valve 100. The safety valve 100 is normally closed so that downward movement of switch plate 120 caused by closing of the flap 24 opens the safety valve 100 and vice versa.

With particular reference to Fig. 2, a free-standing fitting 73 is mounted over the ejection tube 60, the fitting 73 being configured to define a socket having an inner end configured and dimensioned to mateably receive the outer end of the ejection tube 60, the outer end of the fitting 73 being configured and dimensioned to mateably receive within a paint channel inlet of the paint spray gun 138. The paint spray gun 138 is thus supported on the fitting with the trigger closed. An ejector spray gun 140 is mounted on the ejection tube 58, the outer end of the ejection tube being configured and dimensioned to mateably receive within the paint channel inlet of the ejector spray gun 140. It will be understood that the fitting 73 may be fitted onto both the discharge tube 58 and 60, and it could be omitted if not required, depending on the particular design or special type of paint spray gun to be cleaned 138.

A large canister 142 of the paint spray gun 138 is inverted over the wide angle nozzle 59, and a small canister 144 of the ejector spray gun 140 is inverted over the wide angle nozzle 61.

With particular reference to Fig. 4, there is shown a portion of a typical spray gun 138 or 140 having a trigger 150 shown in solid lines in the open position and in dashed lines in the closed working position. During the cleaning operation of apparatus 10, the trigger 150 is held in the closed working position by tightening the trigger chain 148 and by means of a link of the chain in the tightened form being attached to a hook 152 which is housed in wedge 146. In this way, the paint flow line through the spray gun 138, 140 is kept completely open for passage of the cleaning fluid during the cleaning operation. The wedge 146 itself can be used to hold the trigger 150 in the closed position in many guns.

In most spray guns of North American design, the body of the gun has a location into which the wedge 146 can be safely housed, with the wedge 146 holding or retaining the trigger 150 in the depressed or closed position. The chain 148 and hook 152 are useful for those spray guns, typically those of European design, which do not have a body design which facilitates direct use of the wedge 146 to hold the trigger 150 closed.

In operation, the flap 24 is opened and water is fed into the chamber 112 through the top opening 22. The drain valve 120 should of course be closed. The top of the water level should be below the strainer cartridge 66. Cleaning liquid is then introduced through the top opening 22 to form a layer of liquid above the water in the chamber 112. The cartridge 66 should be within the layer of cleaning liquid. Suitably the top of the cleaning liquid should just reach the bottom of the distribution pipes 40 and 42, but in any event should be below the outlets of the wide angle nozzles 59 and 61 and preferably below the receiving strainer 20.

In the case where a paint spray gun 138 and an ejector spray gun 140 are to be cleaned, the adapter 73 for the paint spray gun 138 is mounted, for example, on the discharge pipe 60 and the end 73 is inserted into the paint inlet of the paint spray gun 138. The outer end of the discharge pipe 58 is inserted into the paint inlet line of the ejector spray gun 140. The canister 142 of the paint spray gun 138 is turned over and placed, for example, over the wide-angle nozzle 59, and the canister 144 of the ejector spray gun 140 is turned over and placed over the wide-angle nozzle 61.

The triggering devices, for example the triggering device 150 of the ejector spray gun 140, are blocked directly in the closed working position with the wedge 146 or, as illustrated in Fig. 4, in such a way that the paint flow channels of the spray guns 138 and 140 are completely open for the flow of cleaning fluid.

The flap 24 is closed and its interaction with the step 30 prevents splashing of cleaning fluid during operation of device 10.

In operation, the button 106 is activated to open the valve 84 and air is supplied through the air inlet line 74 via the normally closed valve 84 to the air collector 76, suitably at a pressure of 2.8 x 10⁵ N/m² to 8.4 x 10⁵ N/m² (40-120 psi) and then to the normally closed pneumatic timing valve 78. The air manifold 76 is pressurized almost simultaneously and then the button 106 is released to close the valve 84. When a sufficient predetermined pressure has been created in the air manifold 76, the pneumatic timing valve 78 opens and air pressure passes directly from the air inlet line 74 through the branch line 96 to the pneumatic timing valve 78 and then to the air discharge line 80 to the air inlet port 82 of the fluid pump 36. The air pressure in the fluid pump 36 activates a piston which forces cleaning fluid in the fluid flow system 14 as a pressurized jet from the discharge tubes 58 and 60 through the paint flow passages of the guns 138 and 140. At the same time, the cleaning fluid is jetted through wide angle nozzles 59 and 61 to impinge on the inner surfaces of canisters 142 and 144, respectively, and through wide angle nozzles 62 and 64 to impinge on the outer surfaces of guns 138 and 140 and canisters 142 and 144. As previously mentioned, the roughened tapered upper end portions of fitting 73 and discharge tubes 58 and 60 are roughened to cause some leakage. This ensures that the portion of the paint inlet lines of spray guns 138 and 140 containing these tapered upper end portions is also cleaned.

The discharge ports 70 and 72, typically 0.16 cm (0.0625 inch) in diameter, direct cleaning fluid under pressure into any cup portion of a spray gun surrounding the paint channel inlet, the pressurized air in the plenum 76 slowly drains from the pneumatic timing valve 78 through the discharge port 99 of the timing device 94, and when the pressure has dropped below a predetermined value, the timing valve 78 closes, thereby cutting off the supply of pressurized air to the fluid pump 36.

In practice, the time setting device 94 is set so that the pneumatic timing valve 78 opens for a period of no more than 60 seconds, typically from 30 to 60 seconds, and more typically about 45 seconds, whereby the pump actively circulates fluid under pressure through the flow line system 14 for this relatively short period of time.

The jets striking the painted walls remove the paint, which is entrained with the liquid and carried away by the rapidly moving liquid and sinks into the bath 16.

After completion of the short cleaning operation, the spray guns 138 and 140 and the canisters 142 and 144 are removed. The receiving sieve 20 acts as a safety net so that, for example, the paint spray gun 138 cannot accidentally fall into the bath 16.

The device 10 can then be used to clean other guns and parts thereof as required.

In use, cleaning fluid is circulated through bath 16 and fluid delivery system 14. The fluid discharged through discharge tubes 58 and 60 and wide angle nozzles 59, 61, 62 and 64 falls or flows directly into bath 16, from where the fluid passes into return line 68 through strainer cartridge 66 and then to injection pump 36. Paint residue is filtered from the fluid by strainer cartridge 66 and generally forms a paint residue layer in bath 16 that floats on the upper surface of the lower water layer. Periodically, after repeated use of the cleaning cycle, drain valve 120 is opened and water flows out, pulling the paint residue layer with it. Then fresh water is supplied through the opening 22 and, if necessary, fresh cleaning fluid to restore the level values.

The formation of the paint residue layer floating on the water avoids or minimizes the buildup or accumulation of paint residue on the walls of chamber 112, which would present a removal problem after several cleaning operations.

The residues of certain types of paint, for example water-based paints and some paints containing metal, migrate into the water layer in which they disperse. The water layer can be replaced by other liquid layers, for example those made of aqueous and other solvents that are immiscible with the cleaning liquid and have a greater density than it, so that the cleaning liquid floats on top as the upper layer.

It is also possible to omit the water or other bottom layer and use only cleaning fluid.

The inclined walls 116 and 118 of the chamber 112 facilitate the sinking of paint residues into the lower region of the bath 16 during emptying. The vertical front wall 114 allows the drain valve 120 to be located on a front face of the device 10 so that it is easily accessible without the risk of having to crawl under the bath 16 or reach under it with one's hand.

In operation, the flap 24 is closed and the actuating plate 126 engages the upper end of the switch linkage 130, thereby forcing it vertically downward within the guides 132, causing the switch plate 128 to push the spring-loaded piston 134 downward to open the safety valve 100. When the flap 24 is opened, the actuating plate 126 is no longer engaged with the upper end of the switch linkage 130, and the spring-loaded piston 134 is free to move upward and thereby pushing the switch plate 128 and the switch linkage 130 vertically upwards, the ascent of the piston 134 closing the safety valve 100 so that when a cleaning cycle is in progress, the supply of compressed air to the liquid pump 36 ceases and the cleaning cycle is interrupted. In this way, the risk of spraying cleaning liquid from the top opening is avoided or reduced to a minimum.

For example, the restriction 110 in the air discharge line 80 is a small opening having a diameter of approximately 0.13 cm (0.05 inches) and limits the flow of air to the liquid pump 36; this prevents the liquid pump 36 from running too fast, while still allowing the development of the increased pressure to operate the liquid pump 36.

The chamber 112 is suitably made of metal, for example of aluminium or stainless steel. The materials of the individual parts of the device 10 should of course be chosen so that they are resistant to poisonous liquids with which they may come into contact.

The liquid pump 36 suitably operates at a pumping rate of approximately 9 to 36 liters per minute (2 to 8 gallons per minute). Generally, a pneumatic liquid pump 36 is preferred and, in particular, electric pumps are to be avoided in view of the toxic, volatile and flammable liquids.

The manifolds 40 and 42 suitably comprise a discrete unit with the connecting pipe 44 made of galvanized steel or aluminum. As shown in Fig. 1, this discrete unit sits or stands on support flanges 117 and there is no need for attachment by means of screws or other fasteners which could lead to leaks.

The wide angle nozzles 59, 61, 62 and 64 suitably provide a solid core jet covering a spray angle of 72 - 80º. The nozzles are suitably made of brass, aluminium, polypropylene or another inert material.

The wedge 146 is suitably made of high density polyethylene or metal.

The cleaning liquid may suitably be a lacquer thinner, paint thinner or other cleaning liquid for paint and the like, such as methanol, naphthalene or mineral spirits.

Optionally, the water from the bath 16 can be omitted and a bath 16 made of cleaning liquid can be used.

Suitably, bath 16 has a capacity of 22.7 liters to 45.46 liters (5 to 10 gallons).

With further reference to Figs. 5 and 6, a modification of the device 10 of Fig. 1 is shown, particularly with respect to the bath 16.

The apparatus 110 of Figures 5 and 6 has a cleaning chamber 160, a disposable container or drum 162, and a flow tube assembly 164. The liquid flow line system and pneumatic circulation system (not shown) are general in nature and the same as described for Figure 1.

The cleaning chamber 160 has a flat, domed bottom 166, which has the shape of an inverted wide-angle cone; the bottom 166 has a flow opening 168 at its central, lowest part.

The drum 162 has an upper projection 170 defining a passage 172 which has an outer threaded Part 174 has.

The flow tube assembly 164 has a short center tube 176, and an outer tube assembly 178 is slidably arranged concentrically around the center tube 176. An annular fluid-resistant seal 180 is arranged between an upper end of the outer tube assembly 178 and the center tube 176.

The outer tube assembly 178 has an outer tube 163 and an inner tube 165, and an annular channel 167 extends between the outer tube 163 and the inner tube 165.

An outlet opening 182 is formed in the outer tube assembly 178 adjacent to the upper end thereof; the outlet opening 182 is in fluid flow communication with the annular channel 167.

The upper end of the center tube 176 is in fluid flow communication with the flow opening 168 and its lower end extends a short distance into the inner tube 165 of the outer tube assembly and terminates above the drum 162. The outer tube 163 extends only a short distance into the drum 162, whereas the inner tube 165 extends deep into the interior of the drum 162.

The return line 68 is connected to the outlet port 182 by means of the fitting 184, and the discharge line 38 is connected to the distribution pipes (not shown) 40 and 42 as in Fig. 1.

A closure cap 186 having a central opening 188 threadably engages the threaded portion 174 of the boss 170, with the outer tube assembly 178 slidably received in the central opening; a fluid-resistant annular seal 189 is formed between the extension 170 and the outer tube 163.

The cleaning fluid is housed in drum 62 and, in use, inner tube 165 conveniently extends into the cleaning fluid.

The lower end of the outer tube 163 extends below the liquid level in drum 162.

In operation, the outer tube assembly 178 is inserted into the drum 162 through the central opening 188; engagement of the outlet opening 182 with the cap 186 prevents the outer tube assembly 178 from falling completely into the drum 162. The drum 162 with the outer tube assembly 178 is positioned under the central tube 176 and aligned therewith so that the outer tube assembly 178 can be slidably withdrawn from the central opening 188 and telescopically slid over the central tube 176 so that the lower end of the central tube 176 is held within the inner tube 165. The outer tube assembly 178 is then blocked or fixed in place by any suitable means.

The cleaning cycle is initiated and proceeds as for the apparatus 10 of Fig. 1; the cleaning liquid flows upward through the annular channel 167 around the inner tube 165 and from there through the outlet opening 182 into the return line 66 to the liquid pump 36 and then through the discharge line 38. The discharged liquid falls or flows downward from the bottom 166 to the flow opening 168 into the center tube 176 and from there into the inner tube 165 and into the interior of drum 162. Thus, used liquid is returned to an inner region of the drum 162 and liquid for washing is withdrawn from an upper region. The paint residues tend to settle so that the liquid from the upper region of the drum from where liquid is removed for cleaning, remains relatively free of color.

After repeated use of the cleaning liquid, the drum 162 containing the used liquid can be discarded.

In an alternative arrangement to that described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the flow tube assembly is vertically movable into the cleaning chamber 166 to lift the assembly 164 clear of the drum 162 for the purpose of installing and removing the drum 162. In such a case, the flow tube assembly 164 could conveniently have a handle at its upper end, within the cleaning chamber 166, by means of which it could be lifted.

Paint spray gun assemblies are also used to apply other sprayable mixtures such as glue, adhesive, bonding agents and specialty coatings such as lubricants and mold release agents. It is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to cleaning guns used for such other sprayable mixtures and for the purposes of this disclosure, the term "paint" is intended to include all such mixtures.

Claims (9)

1. Device for cleaning a spray gun assembly, which comprises a cleaning chamber (12) provided with a bottom opening, with Means for defining a chamber (112) arranged below the bottom opening for collecting liquid from the cleaning chamber (12), a liquid flow control system (14) including a liquid flow distribution system having a plurality of cleaning liquid outlets (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 70, 73) for the exit of cleaning liquid within the cleaning chamber (12), a liquid pump (36) having a liquid inlet (69) and a liquid outlet (37), a liquid discharge line (38) for the flow of cleaning liquid from the liquid outlet (37) to the liquid flow guide system (14) and a return line (68) for the flow of cleaning liquid from the chamber (112) to the liquid inlet (69), characterized in that a portion of the outlets (58, 60, 73) define means for receiving a spray gun in the cleaning chamber (12) such that the paint channel in the interior of the spray gun is in direct fluid communication with the outlet, the liquid pump (36) is pneumatically operated, an air flow system (18) is provided which has an air discharge line (80), the liquid pump (36) having an air inlet (82) which is in air flow connection with the discharge line (80), the air flow system (18) and the liquid flow control system (14) have separate, independent flow lines, Timing means (78) in the air flow system (18) are adapted so that the operation of the liquid pump (36) is interrupted within a predetermined time, and an element (146) is adapted to actuate a trigger device of a spray gun in a closed holds working position. 2. Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber (112) is enclosed by a substantially vertical front wall (114), a pair of inclined side walls (116) and an inclined rear wall (118), and wherein a drain valve (120) is arranged adjacent the lower end of the front wall (114). 3. Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid distribution system includes a first distribution pipe (40) and a second distribution pipe (42), the pipes being arranged opposite one another at a certain distance from one another and a connecting pipe (44) which provides a fluid connection between the distribution pipes (40, 42). 4. Cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the first distribution pipe (40) has a substantially horizontal part (46) which spans one side of the cleaning chamber (12), the part (46) terminating at its opposite ends in substantially vertical parts (48), has at least one discharge pipe (58) extending upwards from the horizontal part (46), has at least one upwardly directed wide-angle nozzle (59) arranged in the horizontal part (46) and has at least one inwardly directed wide-angle nozzle (62) arranged in the vertical part (48), and wherein the second distribution pipe (42) has a substantially horizontal part (52) which spans the other side of the cleaning chamber (12), the part (52) terminating at its opposite ends in substantially vertical parts (54), has at least one discharge pipe (60) extending upwards from the horizontal part (52), has at least one inwardly directed wide-angle nozzle (62) arranged in the horizontal part (52) arranged upwardly directed wide-angle nozzle (61) and having at least one, in the vertical part (54) arranged, inward-facing wide-angle nozzle (64). 5. Cleaning device according to claim 1, which includes a pair of ejection openings (70) arranged in the horizontal part (46) which are associated with the ejection tube (58) and which includes a pair of ejection openings (72) arranged in the horizontal part (52) which are associated with the ejection tube (60). 6. Cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the chamber (112) is connected to a detachable drum (162), the drum (162) being adapted to communicate with the bottom opening of the cleaning chamber (12). 7. Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning chamber (12) has a flap (24) and a safety valve (100) located in the air flow system and operably connected to the flap (24) to interrupt the air flow when the flap (24) is opened. 8. Cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the element (146) has a hook (152) on a chain (148) which consists of a plurality of links attached thereto, the hook being designed such that it engages a link of the chain (148) in such a way that the chain (148) is held firmly around the spray gun and thus the trigger device is held in the working position. 9. Procedure for cleaning a spray gun which includes: the positioning of a spray gun in a cleaning chamber (12), providing a pressurized cleaning fluid to the spray gun through a fluid flow system (14) using an air flow system (18), applying cleaning fluid to paint-contaminated surfaces of the paint spray gun within the cleaning chamber (12), characterized in that the cleaning fluid is pumped through the fluid flow system (14) by means of a fluid pump (36) which is actuated by air in the air flow system (18), the air flow system (18) being kept separate from the fluid flow system (14) and the fluid pump (36) being actuated for a predetermined time.