EP1403087B1 - Portable ensemble comprising a container and a pad for reproducing patterns on a support - Google Patents

Abstract

The portable unit comprises a tray (100) with a bottom (101) surrounded by an upper peripheral edge (102) and covered with a spongy element (103) containing a reserve of the liquid product. There is also a pad (200) of the same contour as the tray and having a slightly smaller surface so that it can placed in the tray. A handle is located on the outside of the bottom.

Description

The decoration process is known which consists in impregnating a buffer with a substantially liquid product, that is to say a paint, a patina, an ink or the like, then to apply this stamp punctually on a support so that the pattern of buffer is reproduced on the support by localized transfer of the product.

We can proceed by successive actions to obtain a sequence of identical patterns if we always use the same buffer or various patterns if we use several different buffers.

At present, this practice is carried out by disparate means, because although ready-to-use buffers can be obtained, they do not possess, on the other hand, any characteristic facilitating their coordination with their natural complement which is a container in which the produced thin, each to improvise an installation using any container such as an old dish, an ice cube tray and the like, in which one pours paint sold in pots.

Document FR-A-2 563 159 describes a portable assembly according to the preamble of claim 1.

These means are very inconvenient and can not, in particular, be easily kept within reach of the user because far from being portable, they require on the contrary the greatest stability.

The present invention relates to a portable equipment and well suited to the practice of pad decoration not only by professionals but also by unqualified people.

To this end, the invention relates to a portable assembly for the transfer of a substantially liquid product in small successive areas on supports such as walls, partitions and decorative panels, optionally provided with an absorbent coating, characterized in that it consists of two distinct but coordinated shapes and sizes, one consisting of a bottom-shaped tray which is surrounded by an upper peripheral rim and which is covered with a spongy element to contain a reserve of product, and the other being constituted by a buffer of the same contour as the tray and bottom surface, so that the buffer can be placed in the tray preferably in a nestable manner, a gripping handle being disposed outside the bottom of the tray.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Of course, the description and the drawing are given only by way of indicative and nonlimiting example.

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing an assembly according to the invention, formed of a tray and a buffer.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an assembly according to the invention, the tray is provided with a handle.

Figure 3 is a schematic elevational view with partial section of the tray of Figure 1, provided with a detachable grip handle.

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the underside of the tray of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a buffer according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic elevational view of the buffer of FIG. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the underside of the pad of Fig. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line VII-VIII of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view partially in section of the buffer of FIG. 6.

Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a removable plate to be secured to the pad of Figure 9, and taken along line X-X of Figure 11.

Figure 11 is a schematic plan view showing the lower face of the removable plate of Figure 10 and carrying an applicator element.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a particular embodiment of a removable plate according to which this plate possesses retainers for one or more application elements.

FIG. 13 is a schematic profile view of the buffer of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the removable plate of FIG. 11 and taken along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 11.

Figure 15 is a schematic plan view of a removable strip to be secured to the pad to form a positioning mark.

Figure 16 is a schematic plan view of a buffer according to the invention provided with a removable strip.

Referring to the drawing, we see that an assembly according to the invention comprises two separate but coordinated objects, one of which is a tray 100 and the other a buffer 200.

The tray 100 is formed of a bottom 101 which is surrounded by an upper peripheral rim 102 and which is covered with an absorbent, spongy element 103 which must be copiously impregnated with a product intended to be applied using the buffer 200 on a support: paint, patina, ink and the like.

In Figure 1, the tray 100 is provided with feet 100 to allow the passage of fingers under the bottom 101 to enter the tray 100 directly when the latter is placed on a plane P1, with a view to its handling.

In Figure 2, we see an embodiment of the invention according to which outside the bottom 101, there is a handle 104 by which a user can hold the tray 100 by hand, while ensuring its horizontality , but the liquid or semi-liquid product impregnating the element 103 can not flow out of the tray, unless it is very strongly inclined, or reversed.

The tray 100 further has a lower peripheral rim 105 which surrounds the outside of the bottom 101.

The gripping handle 104 of the tray 100 is removable relative to a retaining member 106 secured to the outside of the bottom 101 and making relative to it a prominence at most equal to the height h of the rim lower device 105.

This arrangement is advantageous in that the tray 100 itself and the handle 104 can be separated from each other for their packaging for sale, which reduces the bulk, especially by placing the handle 104 to the inside the tray 100, and allows simple packaging.

According to an interesting variant of this embodiment, the tray 100 being quadrangular, the handle 104 extends substantially along a diagonal bottom 101 of the tray 100.

Thus, we can give the handle 104 a maximum length that makes its handling convenient, without exceeding the outline of the tray 100.

It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the retaining member 106 forms a low prominence, and does not exceed the contour of the lower rim 105. This member 106 is therefore entirely housed inside the volume determined by the bottom 101 and the rim. lower 105.

When the handle 104 is disassembled, the tray 100 can be placed stably, the retaining member 106 causing no gene.

Figures 3 and 4 it is seen that the handle 104 is integral with a sole 107 of length close to that of the handle proper 104 and which exceeds the latter quite clearly forward in forming a tab 107 which must be engaged between the bottom 101 and the retaining member 106, constituted here by a simple stirrup. This may be more or less elastic, in order to keep in place the soleplate 107 well applied over its entire surface against the outer face of the bottom 101, as can be seen in FIG.

The pad 200 has the same contour as that of the tray 100 and a slightly smaller surface, so that the pad 200 can be placed in the tray 100.

The pad 200 has a body 201 having a solid upper face 202, a peripheral rim 203 and fixing means 204 of a removable bottom plate 205 constituting the active part of the pad 200.

The upper face 202 of the body 201 is provided with a handle 206 which extends radially beyond the outer contour of the body 201 of the tampon 200, and at a height H greater than that H1 which separates the top of the cancellous element 103 and the edge 108 of the upper peripheral edge 102, so that a user can grasp the handle 206 of the buffer 200 without significant discomfort. above said peripheral rim 102, when the buffer 200 is placed in the tray 100.

The upper face 202 and the peripheral rim 203 of the body 201 of the buffer 200 together define an internal space which is partitioned by stiffening ribs 207 and 208.

The ribs 207 are perpendicular to the ribs 208 (Figures 7 and 8).

The ribs 207 and 208 are all delimited by a common virtual plane P2, parallel to the upper face 202 (Figure 8).

This partitioning makes it possible to stiffen the body 201 but also to constitute an effective support for the removable plate 205, for which reason it can be rigid or flexible, according to the element or the application elements that it carries, and according to the effects sought when applying the buffer on a medium.

A pattern to be precise, such as a number, a letter, a musical note, etc. is better reproduced with a rigid plate 205, deformable, while fuzzy patterns obtained for example by means of soft application elements such as spongy surface, textile piece, chamois leather, etc. accept a flexible plate 205, deformable.

Since the body of the pad 200 is quadrangular, at least two opposite sides of the peripheral flange 205 are inclined and each passes through at least one slot 204, the removable bottom plate 205 having tabs intended to penetrate into each slot 204 and be blocked therein. elastically removable manner.

The partitioning of the internal volume of the body 201 gives the latter a high rigidity and the presence in a single plane P2 of the edges of all the ribs 207 and 208 gives the removable plate 205 a support well distributed over its entire surface. When the user applies the stamp on a support, he presses the body 201 by the handle 206 and its force is transmitted to the plate 205 by the ribs 207 and 208 perpendicular to its plane.

The plate 205 is provided with as many tabs 210 as there are slots 204. These tabs are molded in one piece with the plate 205 and rise above the face 205a which is inside. of the body 201, against the plane P2 of the ribs 207 and 208, when the plate 205 is put in place.

The tabs 210 are opposite slits 204 but have a spout which gives them a harpoon shape and which forces each tab 210 to elastically bend transversely to itself so that the spout can pass through the slot 204, after which elasticity of the tab 210 elastically returns to its original shape and the beak is blocked above the slot 204, thereby ensuring the maintenance of the plate 205 under the body 201.

If the peripheral flange 203 was not inclined but perpendicular to the plane of the face 202, the tabs 210 should be very long since they would have to extend from the face 205a to the top of the face 202. In in addition, they would form reliefs above this face 202, which would be both unsightly and inconvenient.

The inclination of the two opposite sides of the flange 203 where the slots 204 are located makes it possible to bring the slots 204 closer to the level of the face 205 a and thus to shorten the tabs 210. In addition, the removal of the plate 205 is facilitated because the user can easily access the portion of the tabs 210 located above the slots 204 to elastically push the spouts of these tabs 210 and allow them to pass through the slots 204 to release the plate 205 and remove it, possibly for the purpose of its replacement by another.

Here, the peripheral rim 203 has three inclined sides, but from a strictly functional point of view, it suffices that the two crossed sides of slots 204 are inclined, for the reason explained above. It could therefore have four sides inclined for aesthetic reasons, in which case the body 201 would have the shape of a truncated pyramid.

An example is shown where three sides of the flange 203 are inclined, the fourth being perpendicular to the plane of the upper face 202, as this facilitates the identification by the user of the position of the buffer relative to the support, this edge playing the role. of a rule.

The height of the tabs 210 determines the degree of tightening of the plate 205 against the ribs 207 and 208, playing on the greater or lesser flexibility of this plate 205 and also that of the body 201.

When it is desired a firm and direct support of the face 205a against the virtual plane P2 common to the ribs 207 and 208, the height of the tabs 210 is determined accurately so that the nozzles are wedged beyond the slots 204 when the face 205 has is clearly applied against the P2 plane.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the body 201 of the pad 200 and the removable plate 205, when they are joined to one another, leave in their place a space (not visible in the drawing) in which can be stuck a removable application element such as a flexible piece, possibly with open cells (not shown).

This is achieved by giving the tabs 210 a height greater than what is necessary for real estate removable plate 205. This height is determined by the thickness of the application element and its deformability, so that this element placed against the outer face 205b and interposed by its margins between the body 201 and the plate 205 is strongly stuck and held by the compression plate 205 secured to body 201 by interlocking tabs 210 and slots 204.

The face 205b, opposite to the face 205 of the plate 205 remains outside and constitutes the active part of the pad to wear the applicator element to be first pressed against the spongy element 103 tank 100 to take care of the liquid and then strongly applied on the support.

The removable plate 205 has one or more patterns, raised or recessed.

The pattern or patterns are reported on the removable plate 205 itself.

Here, there is shown the case where the applicator element which has a pattern to be transferred is constituted by a piece 211 of elastomer reported by bonding on the face 205 b and engraved in the shape of "7" in the opposite direction, so that it is carried on the support in the direct direction.

This pattern is therefore in relief, but it could also provide that one or more patterns are recessed, in order to obtain a decor "in negative", the pattern appearing as part of the support itself, on a different background.

An embossed pattern may also be rigid and used to partially stamp the support, when it is deformable, such as an expanded polystyrene plate.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the removable plate 205 has retaining members for one or more removable application elements such as flexible parts, possibly with open cells.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of this characteristic, in the form of a plurality of holding members 212, made up of discs made of a thin and flexible material cut with radial lines 213 that determine the number of tabs 214 capable of flexing. elastically when pressure is applied to the center of the disc.

When this pressure is exerted with a finger against an element itself flexible, for example textile (not shown), it is pushed beyond the initial plane of the tabs 214 against their resistance, and when the finger is removed , the flexible element remains trapped tabs 214 returning to their original position and remaining braced against the element in the opposite direction to that of its withdrawal.

A holding member of this type is well known in itself, especially as a towel holder.

The function of the tabs 214 can be obtained only if no part hinders their deformation movements and occupies the place of the flexible element, for which reason the body 201 must be hollow and must be partitioned so that the ribs 207 and 208 are placed between the holding members 212.

It is also necessary that the tabs 214 are deformed much more easily than the plate 205 itself, which can be obtained by molding in one piece the plate 205 and the holding members 212, giving the plate a thickness significantly larger than that of the tabs 214, the discs consisting essentially of a membrane.

The user has the choice to place one or more flexible elements, according to the decorative effects that he seeks to obtain on the support.

It has been indicated above that the side of the flange 203 which is perpendicular to the plane of the upper face 202 serves as a rule so that the user can easily locate the exact location of the stamp when it carries back on a support the pattern that carries the plate 205.

It is possible that the medium does not show any reference signs (lines, points, drawings, etc.) with respect to which the user can position the stamp.

According to the invention, the assembly further comprises at least one removable strip to be engaged in part in a lateral notch formed at the base of the peripheral rim 203 of the body 201 of the pad 200 in order to exceed the outer contour of said body 201, for constituting a positioning mark of the buffer on a support, for example a remarkable element of said support.

Figure 15 shows such a strip and Figure 16 illustrates the mounting of this strip on a pad.

Here, the slide 215 has an end 216 in the shape of a spatula and a flat rod 217 narrower than the end 216 because it must have a width I large enough to have a stable angular support relative to a wall M (FIG. 16), whereas the flat shaft must have a minimum space requirement for its subjection to the buffer 200.

Indeed, in the absence of a reference sign, a support always has at least one edge, which is the case of a wall panel, for example, which is necessarily limited either by another perpendicular wall, or by an amount of door or window, and a strip according to the invention makes it possible to form a stop which determines the exact location of the pad with respect to the edge of the support.

The assembly comprises at least two strips of different lengths.

Thus, the user can selectively use one of the various strips that he has to place the patterns on the support as he wishes, at a greater or lesser distance from the edge of the support, depending on the length of the strip he has chosen.

According to a feature of the invention, the assembly comprises at least one strip made of brittle material and marked lines of weakness.

In FIG. 15, it can be seen that the strip 215 has a very long spatula 216, marked with transverse lines of weakness 218 according to any of which the user can break the spatula to reduce its length, that is to say say the total length L of the ruler 215.

The flat rod 217 is always the same length to maintain its characteristics regardless of the length of the spatula 216, in order to be able in any case cooperate with the buffer members provided for its maintenance.

In FIGS. 13 and 16, it can be seen that a lateral notch 219 is formed at the base of the peripheral rim 203, notch which has, with the clearance, the same section as the flat rod 217, the latter being engaged in the notch 219 after the removable plate 205 has been put in place, so that the rod 217 is above this plate 205.

Given the presence of the ribs 207 and 208, it is necessary to provide a space between them and the face 205 a . Can be given to the legs 210 a length such that this face 205 is not in contact with the ribs, with a space at least equal to the thickness of the flat rod 217, or provide a channel (not shown) in the thickness of the plate 205, having a depth equal to the thickness of the flat shank 217 and a width equal to that of said flat shank 217.

here, there is shown the case where the plate 205 remains a short distance from the ribs 207 - 208, and has two parallel ribs and of low height 220 spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the clearance close to the width of the flat shank 217 and aligned with the side edges of the notch 219 (FIGS. 11 and 13). Thus, the flat shank 217 is properly guided and held in a fixed orientation.

The strip may indeed be fixed in the pad, for example by means of a slot 221 located at the end of the flat rod 217 and which must cooperate with a rib of coordinated width (not visible in the drawing). and located either on the plate 205 or inside the partitioned space of the body 201. This rib is advantageously constituted by a partition portion.

When the slide is put in place, it is pushed inwardly of the buffer and it forces a little until jamming resulting from the penetration of the rib in the slot 221.

The removal of the slide can be done by exerting a sufficiently strong pull to remove jamming friction.

There is described a notch 219 on the side of the flange 203 located in the front axis of the handle 206, but it is seen in Figures 11 and 16 that another notch 219 associated with other small ribs 220 is also provided on one side of the flange 203 adjacent to the previous, which shows that one can provide a notch 219 on at least two sides of the flange 203, and thus on three or four.

The application elements, whether there are one or more on the same plate 205, can be in all kinds of materials: fabric, sponge, foam, natural or synthetic chamois, plastic, rubber, etc.

The set is advantageously associated with application elements having coordinated patterns between them: letters of the alphabet, numbers from 0 to 9, musical notes (white, round, black, eighth note, etc.) or constituting a pattern alone repetitive like a flower petal.

Similarly, we can recommend the use of a particularly interesting coating for the support, for a perfect application to the buffer: specific wallpaper, neutral, patterned, weft, guide marks, absorbent.

This coating can be either a paper but a product to be spread, especially an absorbent background paint.

Claims (16)

1. Portable assembly for transferring a substantially liquid product in small successive zones onto surfaces such as walls, partitions and decorative panels, optionally furnished with an absorbent coating, the said assembly comprising two objects that are distinct but coordinated in shape and dimensions, one consisting of a tray (100) formed of a bottom (101) that is surrounded by a top peripheral rim (102) and that is covered with a spongy element (103) intended to contain a reserve of the product, and the other forming an applicator (200) of the same contour as that of the tray (100) and of lesser surface area, so that the applicator (200) can be placed in the tray (100) preferably in a nesting manner, characterized in that it comprises a gripping handle (104) placed outside the bottom (101) of the tray (100).
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tray (100) also has a bottom peripheral rim (105) that surrounds the outside of the bottom (101).
3. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the gripping handle (104) of the tray (100) can be removed relative to a retention member (106) fixedly attached to the outside of the bottom (101) and making relative thereto a protrusion at most equal to the height (h) of the bottom peripheral rim (105).
4. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that, the tray (100) being quadrangular, the handle (104) extends substantially along a diagonal of the bottom (101) of the tray (100).
5. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the applicator (200) has a body (201) having a solid top face (202), a peripheral rim (203) and means (204) for attaching a removable bottom plate (205) forming the active part of the applicator (200).
6. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that the top face (202) of the applicator (200) is furnished with a handle (206) which extends radially beyond the outer contour of the body (201) of the applicator (200), and to a height (H) greater than the height (H1) that separates the top of the spongy element (103) and the ridge of the top peripheral rim (102) so that a user can grasp the handle (206) of the applicator (200) without marked inconvenience above the said peripheral rim (102), when the applicator (200) is placed in the tray (100).
7. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that the top face (202) and the peripheral rim (203) of the body (201) of the applicator (200) together delimit an internal space that is partitioned by stiffening ribs (207 - 208).
8. Assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the ribs (207 and 208) are all delimited by a common virtual plane (P) parallel to the top face (202).
9. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that, the body (201) of the applicator (200) being quadrangular, at least two opposite sides of the peripheral rim (203) are inclined and each traversed by at least one slot (204), the removable bottom plate (205) having lugs (210) designed each to enter a slot (204) and to be elastically locked therein in a removable manner.
10. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that the body (201) of the applicator (200) and the removable plate (205), when they are combined with one another, allow a space to remain between them in which a removable application element such as a flexible part, where necessary with open cells, can be wedged.
11. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that the removable plate (205) has retention members (212) for one or more removable application elements such as flexible parts, where necessary with open cells.
12. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that the removable plate (205) has one or more patterns, in positive and/or negative relief.
13. Assembly according to Claim 12, characterized in that the pattern(s) (211) is/are fitted to the actual removable plate (205).
14. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that it also comprises at least one removable guide rule (215) intended to be partly engaged in a side recess (219) made at the base of the peripheral rim (203) of the body (201) of the applicator (200) in order to protrude from the outer contour of the said body (201) for the purpose of forming a positioning marker of the applicator (200) on a surface relative to a conspicuous element (M) of the said surface.
15. Assembly according to Claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least two guide rules (215) of different lengths.
16. Assembly according to Claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least one guide rule made of a breakable material and marked with weakened lines (218).

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