EP2227983B1 - Tool for applying a substance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a tool for applying a substance to an object.

For applying substances, in particular liquid or viscous substances, such as, for example, paints, varnishes, oils, varnishes or the like to objects, brushes are usually used as tools for application, which have bristle or hair tufts. Instead of the bristle or hair tufts and spongy application parts can be provided, which are able to absorb the substance to be applied, to hold and deliver again when applied.

After using such brushes, the bristle or hair tufts or sponges must be washed out to prevent the substance to be applied from drying and thus rendering the brush unusable.

If the work is interrupted only for a short time, washing out the parts of the order is not only time-consuming and annoying, but also leads to an unnecessary loss of substance to be applied.

In addition, there is still the risk that the brush brushed aside or stained by dust or the like is at work breaks, which are so short that a drying of the substance to be applied is not to be feared.

For high-quality, sensitive brushes, such as those used for calligraphy or watercolor painting, it is already known on the hair tufts a cap, preferably a conical cap from the front, so postponed from the free end of the hair tufts over this and the brush handle by clamping fix. However, such a pushing on a protective cap is cumbersome and difficult, since it is important to ensure that the hair tufts of the brush is not damaged by the fact that lying in the outer region of the hair tufts are taken backwards, folded or demolished.

Out EP 1 269 883 A1 For example, a tool for applying a substance, in particular a make-up brush, is already known, wherein an application part, namely a brush for applying make-up, is arranged on a holder. The holder with the brush is slidably disposed in a tubular housing.

Out EP 0 225 776 A2 a tool for cleaning lenses of telescopes or cameras is known in which a brush on a holder is slidably disposed on a housing. The brush can be moved from a fully retracted into the housing position in a first and a second extended position.

Out US 5,504,962 Another cosmetic brush is known in which the applicator is attached to a holder which is arranged in a telescopic housing so that the one sleeve of the housing can be pushed over the applicator.

Out DE 297 13 124 U1 a brush is known in which the application part is provided on a holder of a brush handle. On the brush handle or the holder, a sleeve is slidably disposed so that it can be moved from a protective position to a release position and back.

The US 2009/0119863 A1 shows a brush sleeve, which is pushed from behind on a conventional brush with applicator and handle so that the application part is protected by the sleeve.

Similar protective covers for brush are in the publications US 2004/0250840 A1 . DE 36 22 462 A1 . DE 89 01 161.9 U1 and DE 886 735 described.

Out WO 2006/118664 A1 is another tool for applying a substance is known in which a coating member is mounted on a holder which is slidably received in a sleeve, so that the application member with its holder in the sleeve a release position for applying a substance and a protective position, in the the order part is protected, can take.

On this basis, the invention has for its object to provide an easy-to-use tool for applying a substance to an object whose order part can not dry out spontaneously during breaks and is protected from contamination and mechanical damage.

This object is achieved by the tool according to claim 1. Advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are described in the subclaims.

According to the invention, therefore, a protective sleeve is slidably mounted on a tubular holder, at one end of which an application part is provided, which can be pushed over the application part in order to protect it. Here, for ease of handling at the other end of the tubular holder fastening means for connecting a substance supply, in particular an output unit of a dispenser or container are provided. This ensures that the substance to be applied to the application part can be supplied from behind, so that the tool and the reservoir for the substance to be applied can be handled easily in a simple manner.

Unlike the known protective cap, which must be pushed from the front over a designed as tufts application part, according to the invention, the protective cover from behind, so attached to the holder end of the order part pushed over this, so that the order part circumferentially completely covered by the protective sleeve is, without damage to be feared.

This ensures that the area over which moisture or solvent or the like present in a substance to be applied can be released to the environment is substantially reduced, so that the substance to be applied can practically not dry out during temporary interruption of work. In addition, the manner in which the protective cover according to the invention is pushed from behind over the application part virtually eliminates any damage to the application part by the protective cover, since buckling or tearing of bristles or hair in the application part is precluded.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the protective sleeve has a cross section which corresponds to the cross section of the application part, wherein the protective sleeve closely surrounds the application part. As a result, the volume surrounding the application part is kept as small as possible within the protective sleeve, so that further drying of the substance located in the application part is slowed down and thus prevented, at least in the short term.

In order to secure the protective sleeve against unintentional displacement, it is expediently provided that the protective sleeve can be secured against displacement at least in its position pushed over the application part, but preferably also in its position releasing the applicator part. This ensures on the one hand that the protective function is not impaired by accidentally pushing back the protective sleeve. On the other hand, it is also achieved that the protective sleeve does not affect its use when handling the tool.

In a particularly simple and inexpensive to manufacture embodiment of the invention it is provided that the protective sleeve is mounted telescopically on the holder, wherein the holder and the protective sleeve have a circular cross-section.

A reliable and simple securing of the protective sleeve in its two end positions is achieved in that the protective sleeve is at least in its pushed over the applicator part position, but preferably also in their position releasing the applicator part rotatably guided so that they do not move from a displaceable rotational position slidable rotational position is rotatable.

In order to reliably protect the application part against damage and soiling, especially during longer work stoppages or during transport, it is expediently provided that a cap can be slid over the free end of the protective sleeve located in its position pushed over the application part, the cap preferably being firmly clamped - or can be locked. Since the application part is already protected by the protective sleeve, the cap can be pushed without risk of damage to the application part.

Although it is basically possible to use sponges or the like as the application part, it is preferable that the application part (12) is a wire, bristle or hair tufts.

• Figur 1eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung des Werkzeugs in Verbindung mit einem Vorratsbehälter oder Spender für eine aufzutragende Substanz,
• Figur 2eine vereinfachte schematische Darstellung des Werkzeugs mit freigegebenem Auftragteil, und
• Figur 3eine schematische vereinfachte Draufsicht auf das Werkzeug mit abgedecktem Auftragteil.

The invention will be explained in more detail below, for example, with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

• FIG. 1 a simplified schematic representation of the tool in connection with a reservoir or dispenser for a substance to be applied,
• FIG. 2 a simplified schematic representation of the tool with released order part, and
• FIG. 3 a schematic simplified plan view of the tool with covered application part.

In the various figures of the drawing corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a tool 10 according to the invention for applying a substance to an object with an application part 12, which is attached to a holder 14. On the holder 14, a protective sleeve 16 is slidably mounted, which is shown in their order the part 12 vacant position.

The tool 10 is attached to an output unit 18 which is attached to a container 20 for the substance to be applied.

The dispensing unit 18 has an actuating button 22, with which a user can control the supply of the substance to be applied to the application part 12 of the tool 10.

For application of spreadable substances, such as paints, varnishes, lubricants, especially lubricant pastes, cleaning agents and
Likewise, the applicator 12 is preferably formed as a tuft of fine wires, hair or bristles. However, it is also conceivable to use more or less fine-pored sponges instead of such tufts in accordance with the viscosity of the substance to be applied.

How very good in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be seen, the holder 14 of the tool 10 according to the invention is tubular in shape to provide a Zuführweg for the substance to be applied to the application part. At its end facing away from the application part of the tubular holder 14 fastening means not shown in detail, with which it is tightly placed on a discharge port 24 of the output unit 18 can be placed. For example, can be provided as a fastening means a corresponding thread. But it is also conceivable, the tool 10 with his holder 14 simply aufzustecken on the output port 24 and fix there by clamping. It can also be provided locking means, so that the holder 14 of the tool 10 is latched to the output port 24. For a permanent connection, it is also conceivable that the holder 14 is simply squeezed. In addition, the holder 14 could also be integrally formed with the output port 24 of the dispensing unit.

The protective sleeve 16 has a cross section which corresponds to the cross section of the holder 14, so that it is mounted telescopically on the holder 14. To remove the protective sleeve 16 from its in FIG. 2 left, the order part 12 vacant position in the in FIG. 3 shown rights to move the order covering position and to secure the protective sleeve 16 in both positions against axial displacement, are as guide and locking a guide channel 26 in one of the two parts to be moved against each other and engaging in this guide channel 26 guide projection 28th provided at the other of the two parts. The guide projection 28 may be provided, for example, on the inner circumference of the protective sleeve, while the guide channel is formed as a groove in the outer periphery of the tubular holder 14. Conversely, it is also conceivable that, as in FIG. 3 is shown, the guide projection 28 is attached to the outer periphery of the holder 14, while the guide channel 26 is formed as a groove or the like in the inner wall of the protective sleeve 16.

The guide channel 26 has, as in FIG. 3 can be seen at its ends locking portions 27, by means of which the protective sleeve 16 can be prevented against displacement in the longitudinal direction of the tubular holder 14.

In order to further improve the protection of the application part 12, especially during prolonged storage and during transport, it is provided according to the invention that a cap 30 can be pushed onto the protective sleeve 16 when the protective sleeve 16 is in its position covering the application part, as in FIG FIG. 3 shown. In order to fix the cap 30 on the protective sleeve 16, a bead 32 may be provided on the protective sleeve 16 as a latching means, which engages in a corresponding inner circumferential groove 34 in the cap 30.

Although, as indicated in the drawing by the axis A, the tubular holder 14 and the displaceably mounted thereon protective sleeve 16 are shown with a circular cross-section, it is also possible to provide other cross-sections. For example, the tool 10 according to the invention could also have a square, more or less flat rectangular or oval cross-section.

In order to use the tool 10 according to the invention together with the container 20 and the dispensing unit 18 for the substance contained in the container, the cap 30 is removed first from the protective sleeve 16 if it is present. Subsequently, the protective sleeve 16 is rotated so that the guide projection 28 passes out of the end portion 27 of the guide channel 26 in the region which extends substantially in the axial direction of the sleeve. Now, the sleeve 16 to the rear or in FIG. 3 be moved to the left until they are in the in FIG. 2 shown pushed back position. Now, the guide sleeve is again rotated so that the guide projection 28 engages in the other end portion 27, so as to secure the protective sleeve 16 in its order releasing the applicator 12 position against accidental displacement.

Although the guide channel 26 is shown in the drawing parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tool 10 corresponding to the axis A, it is also possible to make this example helically, so that the sleeve 16 at the same time performs a rotational movement when moving.

The holder 14 and the protective sleeve 16 may be made of metal, for example, but it is also possible to produce them as plastic injection molded parts.

Although the tool according to the invention has been described using the example of a tube brush attachable to a container, it can also be used with ordinary brushes in which the holder consists of a common rod-shaped handle.

Claims (8)

1. A tool for applying a substance on an object with:

   - a tubular holder (14),

   - an application part (12), which is provided on the holder (14), and

   - a protective sleeve (16), which is mounted displaceably on the holder (14) and which is displaceable over the application part (1),

   characterised in that the tubular holder (14) comprises the application part at one end and fixing means for connecting the tubular holder (14) to a substance supply unit, in particular a delivery unit of a dispenser or container (20), at the other end.
2. The tool according to claim 1, characterised in that the protective sleeve (16) has a cross-section which corresponds to the cross-section of the application part, wherein the protective sleeve (16) closely surrounds the application part (12).
3. The tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the protective sleeve (16) can be secured against a displacement at least in its position pushed over the application part (12), but preferably also in its position freeing the application part (12).
4. The tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the protective sleeve (16) is mounted in a telescopic manner on the holder (14).
5. The tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holder (14) and the protective sleeve (16) have a circular cross-section.
6. The tool according to claim 5, characterised in that the protective sleeve is constituted rotatable at least in its position pushed over the application part (12), but preferably also in its position freeing the application part, such that it can be rotated out of a displaceable rotary position into a non-displaceable rotary position.
7. The tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cap (30) can be pushed onto the protective sleeve (16) located in its position pushed over the application part (12), over the free end of said protective sleeve, wherein the cap (30) can preferably be clamped fast or locked.
8. The tool according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the application part (12) is a wire tuft, a bristle tuft or a hair tuft.

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