EP2430946B1 - Device for cleaning and drying applicators, in particular such as brushes or foams - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the cleaning and / or the spin / drying of at least one liquid-to-paste product applicator, this or these applicators being of the bristle or bristle type or of foam.

Are therefore concerned all hand tools made with bristles or long hairs, short, medium, lean, large, small, thin, wide, twisted, curved or curved, hard, soft, flexible or rigid, such as instruments to paint or used by painters. Examples of such instruments include brushes and brushes flat, round, rectangular, hermetic, thumbs to rechampir, splaters to radiators, paintings, stencils, letters, for smoothed effect, for glazing , to blur, for wood effect, for watercolor, whitewash, glue, for application on walls, floors, ceilings and other objects.

Also concerned in the field of painting applicators foam type rabbit legs or rollers.

These instruments are used with all types of products, such as products that can be diluted with water or solvents and solvents such as white spirit, acetone, toluene, alcohol, 90 ° alcohol , domestic alcohol, trichlorethylene, biotrichlorethylene, gasoline type diluents A, E, F, turpentine, mineral spirits, ethanol, xylene; cellulosic diluents; gel strippers, dry, chemical, water, soda; household products for floors, walls and ceilings; cellulosic, vinylic glues, with water, in aqueous phase; and strippers, paints, varnishes, glazes, wood stains, varnishes and all glycerophthalic, acrylic, alkyd, Aquethane®, alkyd-urethane, epoxy, polyurethane, two-component, rubber, chlorinated rubber, Pliolite® resins , Hydro Pliolite®, siloxane, polysiloxane in emulsion, in dispersion, in solution and in solution, in aqueous phase, in solvent phase, glycerol with water, etc.

There may also be mentioned cleaning and / or spinning / drying brushes in other areas than painting, such as hairdressing, cleaning and maintenance, etc.

After using an instrument to paint, it is common that there is a significant amount of paint on the paint application part of the instrument to be painted (bristles, bristles, foam).

This residual paint, if it is not removed quickly from the paint application part of the instrument to be painted, dries, sticks the bristles or bristles between them or stiffens the paint application foam, which makes the paint unusable paint tool for a new paint application.

This operation of removing the paint from the paint application portion of the paint instrument requires several cleanings of the instrument to be painted in a liquid, for example water or a solvent, chosen according to the paint used with the instrument to be painted, and thus also several squeezes between the different cleanings.

The manual removal of the paint by a user is long and often not very effective, because it leaves paint, consumes a lot of cleaning fluid, and is tiring for the user.

We know, by the request of FR2847494 or US2902773 , a tool for rotating an instrument to be painted.

The tool disclosed in US2902773 is a tool manually operated by the user in a container, which may contain a cleaning fluid of the instrument to be painted. This manual tool is not related to the container, and is therefore difficult to use, due to the fact that it is necessary to make the projections of paint and / or cleaning fluid minimal when using the tool in a container, hold the tool and the paint tool attached to the vertical tool in the container, which is tiring for the user.

In addition, it is necessary to change the container for the cleaning and spinning operations.

US2902773 does not describe a container which makes it possible, with a tool for rotating an instrument to be painted, to prevent splashes of paint and / or cleaning liquid during the rotational driving of the instrument to be painted in order to cleaning or spinning.

We know, by the US patent application US5185938 , an attachment element of an instrument to be painted (roller or brush) to a drill-type tool for cleaning and wringing the instrument to be painted.

In the request US5185938 , the instrument to be painted is attached to a drill-like tool rotated in a container containing a cleaning liquid and rotated into another empty container or bag to wring it out.

With the tool disclosed in the application US5185938 , it is therefore necessary to have two containers, one for cleaning, one for spinning, and a tool like Drill, which is not convenient, because solvent and paint may fall from the instrument to be painted between the two containers.

In addition, the drill type tool not primarily for use as a painting instrument may be damaged by the paint or solvent sprayed onto it during the cleaning and spinning operations.

We know, by the British patent application GB2453136 , a paint roller dewatering device, comprising a receptacle and a cover provided with means for rotating a paint roller positioned in the receptacle.

The spin device of the British patent application GB2453136 applying a centrifugal force, through the rotating drive means carried by the cover, to a paint roller previously soaked with cleaning liquid and introduced into the receptacle. The centrifugal force has the effect of spraying the paint and the cleaning liquid onto the paint roll on the inner walls of the receptacle, the paint / cleaning liquid residues being collected in the bottom of the receptacle.

The spin device of the British patent application GB2453136 has several disadvantages.

In the first place, it makes it possible to carry out only the spinning step, a preliminary cleaning step consisting in soaking a cleaning liquid, the roller of paint out of the receptacle being necessary before the spinning step with the device .

Second, the spin device of the British patent application GB2453136 can only be used with paint rollers.

Finally, given the usual dimensions of the paint rollers, the squeezing device of the British patent application GB2453136 is bulky.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, and relates to a device for cleaning and / or dewatering an applicator of the type described in the preamble of the present application, this device being compact and offering the possibility of performing both cleaning and spinning operations with the single device of the invention in a simple manner. Moreover, the device of the invention can be used with any type of instrument to be painted or the like and adapt to the length dimension thereof.

• un réceptacle apte à contenir un liquide de nettoyage de l'applicateur, ledit réceptacle ayant une paroi latérale raccordée à un fond et étant fermé par un couvercle;
• un module d'entraînement en rotation de l'applicateur, disposé au-dessus dudit réceptacle, renfermant un mécanisme actionnable depuis l'extérieur pour entraîner en rotation un axe faisant saillie dudit module ;
• des moyens d'adaptation/fixation sur ledit axe du support d'applicateur afin que l'applicateur puisse venir en contact avec le liquide de nettoyage en vue de son nettoyage, le couvercle du réceptacle comportant une ouverture pour le passage dudit axe ou du support adapté/fixé en position d'utilisation du dispositif, caractérisé par le fait que la paroi du réceptacle est de hauteur réglable.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a device for cleaning and / or wiping a liquid-to-pasty consistency product applicator, said applicator being of the bristle type, such as a brush or a brush, or of a foam, such as a tampon or roller, said applicator being carried at the end of a support, such as handle, or capable of being mounted, for its cleaning and / or spinning on a support projecting from an end of said applicator, said cleaning and / or wringing device comprising:

• a receptacle adapted to contain a cleaning fluid of the applicator, said receptacle having a side wall connected to a bottom and being closed by a lid;
• a rotator drive module of the applicator, disposed above said receptacle, enclosing an externally operable mechanism for rotating an axle projecting from said module;
• means of adaptation / attachment on said axis of the applicator support so that the applicator can come into contact with the cleaning liquid in order to clean it, the lid of the receptacle having an opening for the passage of said axis or support adapted / fixed in position of use of the device, characterized in that the wall of the receptacle is of adjustable height.

In particular, the height of the wall of the receptacle is adjustable to take a position selected from a storage position in which the height is minimal, a cleaning position in which the height is greater than the minimum height, the receptacle containing the liquid of cleaning and the applicator in mounting position soaking in said cleaning liquid, and a dewatering position in which the height is greater than the height for cleaning, the applicator no longer dipping in the cleaning liquid, or between a minimum storage and cleaning height position and a maximum spin height position, or between a minimum storage height position and a maximum cleaning and spinning height position, where in the latter case the receptacle must be emptied between the cleaning and spinning, the different positions can also be finely adjustable in height to allow the adaptation of diffe types of applicators in said device. Thus, the receptacle is able to pass from a first height in which the instrument to be painted is in contact with the cleaning liquid present in the receptacle, to a second height in which the instrument to be painted is not in contact. with the cleaning liquid.

In the first position of use of the device, a cleaning liquid is introduced beforehand into the receptacle, so that in use, the paint application part of the instrument to be painted is in contact with the cleaning liquid. . A rotational drive of the instrument to be painted in the receptacle then makes it possible to clean the instrument to be painted. The application of a centrifugal force during the cleaning operation allows a better mixing of the paint and the cleaning liquid, and thus a more efficient cleaning of the instrument to be painted.

In the second position of use of the device, the paint application part of the instrument to be painted is no longer in contact with the cleaning liquid remained in the lower part of the receptacle, the instrument to be painted, fixed to the cover by the attachment / adaptation means located in the upper part of the receptacle, so that a rotational drive of the instrument to be painted in the receptacle allows a spin of the instrument to be painted, the residues of the spin falling into the cleaning liquid in the bottom of the receptacle.

Thus, it is not necessary to remove the instrument to be painted from the device between the cleaning and spinning steps. A simple operation of adjusting the height of the device allows to go from one step to another.

The modification of height of the receptacle is then obtained by action of the user on the wall of the receptacle, to give the receptacle the desired height.

It would also be possible to vary the height of the receptacle between a storage position and a position of use, the latter being the cleaning position or the spinning position. In this case, it would be necessary to empty the receptacle after cleaning.

It would also be possible to vary the height of the receptacle between a position of minimum height of storage and cleaning, and a position of maximum height of spin.

The receptacle is advantageously made of a plastic material chosen from poly (vinyl ethylene), poly (ethylene terephthalate) and polyethylene.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the peripheral wall of the receptacle has an accordion structure, chosen to be able to take a minimum flattened position between the bottom and the lid and to extend in height to move into the position intended for cleaning and / or wringing, the material of said wall being chosen so that it remains self-sustaining in the chosen position or means, if appropriate removable, being attached to or in the receptacle for maintain the wall at the desired height.

The means for holding the receptacle at the desired height may be constituted by at least one branch which is made of at least two articulated parts and whose ends are fixed to the receptacle, for example respectively at the bottom of the receptacle and on the side wall of the receptacle. -this. They can also be constituted by at least one rod or a removable frame adapted to bear on the one hand on the bottom of the receptacle and on the other hand on the upper part and / or the lid of the latter or on an element who is in solidarity.

The rotational drive module may include a user actuation mechanism consisting of a crank or push-button powered electric motor powered by battery or batteries or mains or cigarette lighter, and a gear system. , optionally comprising one or more reduction stages, for transmitting a rotational movement on the axis projecting into the lid in use.

According to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, intended for the cleaning and the spinning of instruments, such as instruments to be painted, both brush and roller type, rabbit's foot, an element of guiding is provided to be interposed between the rotary drive module and the cover in the case where the instrument to be cleaned and wring is of brush type, the guide element having a height allowing the passage of the free portion of the brush handle.

According to a feature of the device of the invention, intended for the cleaning and the spinning of a brush-type instrument, the adaptation / fixing means consist of a pinch member having hooking means on the module of FIG. rotational drive and at least two arms, for example two, three or four arms, for pinching and jamming the handle of said instrument.

According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, intended for the cleaning and the spinning of an instrument of the roll or rabbit leg type, the adaptation / fixing means comprise a fastening means on the module driving in rotation, a disc carrying teeth clinging to an end face of said instrument, a rod adapted to receive said instrument, the hooking means, the disc and the rod being assembled in one piece with the disc disposed between the attachment means and the rod, and if necessary a second disc carrying teeth clinging to a another end face of said instrument, the second disc being fixed by screwing on the end of the rod which in this case is threaded, said instrument to be painted, introduced on the rod, being rotated by catching the teeth of the discs on a respective end face of said instrument.

• pour le nettoyage/essorage d'un instrument de type pinceau, en un cadre à introduire dans le réceptacle, ledit cadre comportant deux branches verticales et deux branches horizontales, la branche horizontale inférieure comportant un moyen de positionnement dans le fond du réceptacle, les deux branches verticales étant réunies par une branche horizontale intermédiaire portant des moyens de serrage du manche du pinceau, et la branche horizontale supérieure comportant un moyen de liaison à l'extrémité d'une tige coopérant par son autre extrémité avec l'axe du module d'entraînement en rotation, ladite tige étant destinée à être logée dans un guide extérieur coopérant d'une part avec le couvercle et d'autre part avec le module d'entraînement en rotation ; et
• pour le nettoyage/essorage d'un instrument de type rouleau ou patte de lapin, en un axe apte à être introduit dans l'axe dudit rouleau ou de ladite patte de lapin, coopérant à une extrémité avec un moyen de positionnement sur le fond du réceptacle, et à son autre extrémité avec un moyen d'accrochage, lequel coopère avec l'axe du module d'entraînement en rotation,

ledit cadre et ledit axe étant aptes à pivoter autour du moyen de positionnement, ledit réceptacle étant apte à prendre une position repliée de stockage et une position déployée de nettoyage/essorage.According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, intended for the cleaning and the spinning of instruments, such as instruments to hang of brush type and / or roll or rabbit leg, the means of adaptation / Fixing consist:

• for the cleaning / dewatering of a brush-type instrument, in a frame to be introduced into the receptacle, said frame comprising two vertical branches and two horizontal branches, the lower horizontal branch comprising a positioning means in the bottom of the receptacle, the two vertical branches being joined by an intermediate horizontal branch carrying clamping means of the brush handle, and the upper horizontal branch having a connecting means at the end of a rod cooperating at its other end with the axis of the module of rotational drive, said rod being intended to be housed in an outer guide cooperating on the one hand with the cover and on the other hand with the rotary drive module; and
• for cleaning / dewatering a roll-type or rabbit-leg-type instrument, in an axis capable of being introduced into the axis of said roller or said rabbit paw, cooperating at one end with a means of positioning on the bottom of the receptacle, and at its other end with a hooking means, which cooperates with the axis of the rotary drive module,

said frame and said axis being pivotable about the positioning means, said receptacle being adapted to assume a stowed storage position and a deployed cleaning / wringing position.

The frame can be made in two parts articulated in a mean plane thereof, advantageously molded in one piece, these two parts being hinged together and their approximation ensuring the pinching of the handle of the brush, in particular by folds of material provided in the clamping means.

In summary, according to a feature of the device according to the invention, the height of the wall of the receptacle is adjustable to take a position selected from a storage position in which the height is minimal, a cleaning position in which the height is greater at the minimum height, the receptacle containing the cleaning liquid and the applicator in mounting position soaking in said cleaning liquid, and a dewatering position in which the height is greater than the height for cleaning, the applicator does not dipping more in the cleaning liquid or between a position of minimum height of storage and cleaning and a position of maximum height of spin, or between a position of minimum height of storage and a position of maximum height of cleaning and spinning, where in the latter case the receptacle must be emptied between the cleaning and the spinning, the different positions can also be fi vertically adjustable to allow the adaptation of different types of applicators in said device.

To better illustrate the object of the present invention, will be described below, by way of indication and not limited to several embodiments of the cleaning device of an instrument to be painted according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

• la Figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un dispositif conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, pour le nettoyage et l'essorage d'un pinceau, le réceptacle se trouvant dans sa position complètement dépliée, permettant le séchage de la partie applicateur du pinceau ;
• les Figures 2, 3 et 4 sont des vues en élévation du dispositif de la Figure 1 à l'état assemblé dans les positions respectivement complètement dépliée, semi-dépliée et pliée du réceptacle ;
• la Figure 5 est une vue en perspective du dispositif tel que représenté sur la Figure 2, coupé selon son plan longitudinal moyen pour laisser voir l'intérieur du réceptacle, le pinceau étant représenté sur cette figure dans sa position pour l'essorage;
• la Figure 6 est, à plus grande échelle, une vue schématique en perspective éclatée qui montre la cartouche du dispositif de la Figure 1 renfermant le mécanisme de rotation manuelle du pinceau, et l'organe de pincement du manche d'un pinceau, l'enveloppe de la cartouche étant représentée en traits pointillés pour laisser voir les différents engrenages du mécanisme ;
• la Figure 7 est une vue en perspective de la cartouche de la Figure 6 à la base de laquelle est adapté un organe de pincement du manche du pinceau adapté sur la cartouche, le guide pour la réception de la partie haute du manche du pinceau en position de montage étant représenté en traits pointillés ;
• la Figure 8 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la cartouche de la Figure 6 et d'un organe de fixation d'un instrument à peindre de type « patte de lapin » ;
• la Figure 9 est une vue en perspective de la cartouche de la Figure 6, à la base de laquelle est adapté un organe de fixation d'un rouleau à peindre, celui-ci étant représenté en cours de montage ;
• la Figure 10 est une vue en perspective éclatée montrant la cartouche et l'organe de fixation de la Figure 9, ainsi que le rouleau et un élément de maintien de celui-ci à son extrémité libre ;
• la Figure 11 est une vue analogue à la Figure 5 montrant un rouleau dans sa position pour l'essorage ;
• la Figure 12 est une vue en coupe de la partie inférieure d'un dispositif conforme à un second mode de réalisation de la présente invention, montrant un rouleau à peindre dans sa position pour le nettoyage ou pour l'essorage ;
• la Figure 13 est une vue en perspective éclatée montrant le réceptacle du dispositif de la Figure 12, coupé selon son plan longitudinal moyen pour laisser voir l'installation d'un pinceau, ainsi que les parties inférieures d'un organe de liaison pinceau-cartouche et d'un guide intérieur du manche du pinceau ;
• la Figure 14 est une vue en perspective de la partie haute du réceptacle de la Figure 13, coupée selon son plan longitudinal moyen ;
• la Figure 15 montre une vue en élévation d'un organe de pincement recevant le manche d'un pinceau, ledit organe de pincement étant réalisé selon une variante de l'organe de pincement représenté sur les Figures 6 et 7 ; et
• la Figure 16 est une vue en perspective correspondant à la Figure 15 avant réception du manche du pinceau.

On this drawing :

• the Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, for cleaning and drying a brush, the receptacle being in its fully unfolded position, allowing the drying of the part brush applicator;
• the Figures 2, 3 and 4 are elevational views of the device of the Figure 1 in the assembled state in the respectively fully unfolded, semi-unfolded and folded positions of the receptacle;
• the Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device as shown in FIG. Figure 2 cut along its mean longitudinal plane to reveal the interior of the receptacle, the brush being shown in this figure in its position for spinning;
• the Figure 6 is, on a larger scale, an exploded schematic perspective view which shows the cartridge of the device of the Figure 1 containing the mechanism of manual rotation of the brush, and the pinch member of the handle of a brush, the envelope of the cartridge being shown in dashed lines to show the different gears of the mechanism;
• the Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge from the Figure 6 at the base of which is adapted a pinch member of the brush handle adapted to the cartridge, the guide for receiving the upper portion of the brush handle in the mounting position being shown in broken lines;
• the Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge from the Figure 6 and a fixing member of a painting instrument of the "rabbit paw"type;
• the Figure 9 is a perspective view of the cartridge from the Figure 6 , at the base of which is adapted a fixing member of a paint roller, the latter being shown during assembly;
• the Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the cartridge and the fastener of the Figure 9 as well as the roller and a holding member thereof at its free end;
• the Figure 11 is a view similar to the Figure 5 showing a roll in its position for spinning;
• the Figure 12 is a sectional view of the lower part of a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a paint roller in its position for cleaning or for wringing;
• the Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the receptacle of the device of the Figure 12 , cut along its mean longitudinal plane to show the installation of a brush, as well as the lower parts of a brush-cartridge connecting member and an inner guide of the brush handle;
• the Figure 14 is a perspective view of the upper part of the receptacle of the Figure 13 , cut along its mean longitudinal plane;
• the Figure 15 shows an elevational view of a pinch member receiving the handle of a brush, said pinch member being made according to a variant of the pinch member shown in FIGS. Figures 6 and 7 ; and
• the Figure 16 is a perspective view corresponding to the Figure 15 before receiving the handle of the brush.

If we refer to Figures 1 to 11 of the present invention, it can be seen that there is shown a device 1 for cleaning and squeezing paint-type paintbrush and roller-type and rabbit leg, according to a first embodiment of the invention , cleaning and spinning can be performed without emptying the receptacle after cleaning.

The device 1 comprises a receptacle 2, a lid 3, a guide 4 to be used for the adaptation of a brush and a cartridge 5 enclosing the rotational drive members of the instrument to be painted. The device 1 also comprises removable adaptation / attachment means for adapting, as the case may be, a brush, a roller or a rabbit foot.

The receptacle 2 is of generally cylindrical shape, closed by a bottom 6, the side wall of the receptacle 2 having an accordion structure, for deploying or otherwise folding the receptacle 2 in its longitudinal direction, which gives the whole the general look of a lantern.

At its upper end, opposite the bottom 6, the wall of the receptacle 2 carries an external thread 8.

The receptacle 2 is made of a plastic material, waterproof, solvent resistant, resistant to creasing, tearing and rubbing. This plastic material is, for example, PVE, PET and PE.

The plastic material constituting the receptacle 2 and the accordion structure of the side wall of the receptacle 2 allow the upper part of the receptacle 2, once placed in the unfolded position, to remain in this position without user action on this upper part. .

It is also possible to provide a greater thickness of the wall 2 in its lower part, which is intended to receive the cleaning liquid L ( Figure 5 ).

The receptacle 2 externally carries two diametrically opposite branches 7a, 7b, each consisting of two half-branches hinged together at one of their ends, in the manner of a compass, the other ends of the half-branches being fixed by all means respectively at the base of the receptacle 2 and the wall thereof substantially halfway up. On the Figures 2 to 4 we can see the half branches 7a1, 7a2 of the branch 7a, which are hinged at 7a3.

• la première position, totalement dépliée ou déployée, que l'on peut également voir sur la Figure 5, est celle dans laquelle les branches 7a, 7b sont dans le prolongement l'une de l'autre, permettant de déployer la partie inférieure du réceptacle 2, la partie supérieure de ce dernier étant également totalement déployée, la hauteur du réceptacle 2 étant donc maximale dans cette position ;
• la deuxième position correspond à la position semi-dépliée dans laquelle les branches 7a, 7b sont dressées étant dans le prolongement l'une de l'autre tandis que la partie supérieure du réceptacle 2 est totalement repliée, la hauteur du réceptacle dans cette deuxième position étant égale à sensiblement la moitié de la hauteur du réceptacle 2 dans la position totalement dépliée ;
• la troisième position correspond à la position dans laquelle les branches 7a, 7b sont également pliées pour permettre de replier totalement la partie inférieure du réceptacle 2, cette position correspondant à la position de stockage du dispositif 1, la hauteur du réceptacle 2 étant minimale.

The receptacle 2 can be placed in three positions, which are illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 respectively:

• the first position, totally unfolded or unfolded, which can also be seen on the Figure 5 , is that in which the branches 7a, 7b are in the extension of one another, for deploying the lower part of the receptacle 2, the upper part of the latter being also fully deployed, the height of the receptacle 2 is therefore maximum in this position;
• the second position corresponds to the semi-unfolded position in which the branches 7a, 7b are erected being in the extension of one another while the upper part of the receptacle 2 is completely folded, the height of the receptacle in this second position being substantially equal to half the height of the receptacle 2 in the fully unfolded position;
• the third position corresponds to the position in which the branches 7a, 7b are also folded to allow to completely fold the lower part of the receptacle 2, this position corresponding to the storage position of the device 1, the height of the receptacle 2 is minimal.

The lid 3 comprises a flat circular bottom on the periphery of which is connected a skirt 9 having a tapping 10, intended to cooperate with the external thread 8 of the receptacle 2 to screw the lid 3 on the latter. Furthermore, the bottom of the lid 3 comprises a central circular hole 11, around which the wall of the bottom is arranged to form an annular recess 12 inwards, whose role is indicated below.

The guide 4 consists of a cylindrical tube, open at both ends. It has openings 13a, 13b, 13c on the central part of its wall, giving an aesthetic character and can also allow a good grip of it by the user of the device 1. The guide 4 has a thickness substantially equal to the width of the recess 12. In the mounting position, the guide 4 will rest by its lower edge on said step 12.

The cartridge 5 will now be described in more detail especially with reference to the Figure 6 . It is of generally cylindrical shape, having an upper portion 5a of outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the guide 4, and a lower portion 5b of outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the guide 4 and the diameter of the hole 11.

It is thus possible to fit the lower part 5b of the cartridge 5 either in the upper part of the guide 4 when the latter is placed on the cover 3, or in the recess 11 of the cover 3 when the guide 4 does not fit. is not used, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 7 to 11 .

A pinion gear system is incorporated in the cartridge 5, and actuated by a crank 14 having the shape of an L whose horizontal leg in the position of use shown on the Figure 6 protrudes on the side wall of the cartridge 5 in its upper part 5a. The crank 14 has its horizontal gripping portion by the user, connected to its vertical branch a cylinder 14a mounted idler on an axis (not shown) for ease of use. The height of the crank 14 will advantageously be adjusted to allow the best operation.

• un pignon 15 directement relié à la branche horizontale de la manivelle 14, disposé dans un plan perpendiculaire à celle-ci ;
• un pignon de démultiplication 16, situé dans le prolongement du pignon 15, vers le bas et s'engrenant avec lui pour permettre une démultiplication de l'effort exercé sur la manivelle 14 par l'utilisateur du dispositif 1 ;
• un pignon conique vertical 17, disposé dans un plan parallèle au plan des pignons 15 et 16 à l'opposé de la manivelle 14, solidaire en rotation du pignon 16 par un axe 16a,
• ledit pignon conique vertical 17 s'engrenant avec un pignon conique horizontal 18 situé dans la partie 5b et ayant un plan moyen perpendiculaire au plan moyen du pignon conique 17, de telle sorte qu'un mouvement de rotation de la manivelle 14 dans un plan horizontal est converti en un mouvement de rotation démultiplié dans un plan vertical.

In the exemplary embodiment shown on the Figure 6 , the gear system comprises:

• a pinion 15 directly connected to the horizontal arm of the crank 14, disposed in a plane perpendicular thereto;
• a reduction gear 16, located in the extension of the pinion 15, downwardly and meshing with it to allow a reduction of the force exerted on the crank 14 by the user of the device 1;
• a vertical conical pinion 17, disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the pinions 15 and 16 opposite the crank 14, integral in rotation with the pinion 16 by an axis 16a,
• said vertical conical pinion 17 meshing with a horizontal conical pinion 18 located in the part 5b and having a mean plane perpendicular to the mean plane of the conical pinion 17, so that a rotational movement of the crank 14 in a horizontal plane is converted into a rotational movement multiplied in a vertical plane.

The axis 19 of the pinion 18 protruding from the cartridge 5 in its lower part 5b is polygonal section, square in the example shown, and allows the adaptation of attachment elements of instruments to paint on the cartridge 5, as will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7-11 and 15-16 . This axis 19 projecting from the cartridge 5 is made of stainless steel, to resist the solvents.

On the Figures 5 to 7 , there is shown a fixing element of an instrument to be painted which consists of a pinch member 20, of generally cylindrical hollow shape, closed at one end, the side wall of the clamping member 20 having two longitudinal notches, diametrically opposite, extending from the end open cylinder to form two arms or tabs 21a, 21b allowing, as shown on the Figure 7 , pinch the handle end of a paint brush-type instrument 22 between the two arms or tabs 21a, 21b.

A hole 23 of square section, substantially of the same dimensions as the section of the axis 19 of the pinion 18, is formed in the center of the closed end of the pinch member 20, in order to adapt it to the cartridge 5, as shown on the Figure 7 . The actual fastening of the pin 19 in the hole 23 of the end wall of the pinch member 20 will not be described in more detail: it will be for example of the clipping type but any other secure fastening system may to be considered.

The Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a variant of the shape of the two arms or tabs 421a, 421b of the clamp 420. These are connected to a circular plate 421c which carries a projection 423 having a polygonal section hole for the purpose of cooperation with the axis 19 as in the previous case.

In the case of the use of a brush 22 with the device of the invention, and taking into account the length of the handle of the brush 22, the guide 4, represented in dotted lines on the Figure 7 , is fitted at one end on the lower part 5b of the cartridge 5, and at the other end on the cover 3 of the device 1.

This guide 4 allows, when the receptacle 2 is in its fully unfolded position, to be able to rotate the brush 22 in the upper part of the receptacle 2 free of brush cleaning liquid L, to completely wring the brush 22 out of the liquid L .

On the Figure 8 there is shown another fixing element 120 of the instrument to be painted on the cartridge 5, intended for use with a rabbit paw type roller.

This fixing element 120 is constituted by an adapter element 121 to the cartridge 5, a disc 122 for attaching the instrument to be painted and a rod 123 for positioning the instrument to be painted on the fixing element 120. , the disc 122 being positioned between the positioning rod 123 and the matching element 121, these three elements being assembled, for example by welding. The rod 123 has a threaded free end, on which is screwed a nut-type element, to maintain the rabbit leg on the rod. However, such a thread could not be provided, the "rabbit leg" being then retained solely by hooking onto the disc 122.

The adaptation element 121 is of cylindrical shape, of diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the lower part 5b of the cartridge 5. A blind hole 124 of square section, of the same dimensions as the axis 19 of the pinion 18, is formed in the center of one of the end faces of the adapter element 121, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the adapter element 121, to allow adaptation of the fastener element 120 to the cartridge 5, in the same way as for the adaptation of the brush.

The disc 122 has on the periphery of its face facing the positioning rod 123 hooking teeth 125, intended to hook on the periphery of the painting instrument of the rabbit leg type, in order to drive in rotation a rabbit leg-type painting instrument positioned on the positioning rod 123 with the fixing element 120.

The Figure 9 is analogous to the Figure 8 , and represents another fixing element of an instrument to be painted, this time of paint roller type 226.

As for the fixing element 120 of the Figure 8 , the fastening element 220 of the Figure 9 is constituted by an adapter element 221 to the cartridge 5, a hooking disc 222 of the instrument to be painted and a rod 223 for positioning the instrument to be painted on the fixing element 220, the disk 222 being positioned between the positioning rod 223 and the adapter element 221, these three elements being assembled for example by welding.

The adaptation element 221 is cylindrical in shape, of diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the lower part 5b of the cartridge 5. A blind hole 224 of square section, of the same dimensions as the axis 19 of the pinion 18, is formed in the center of the end face of the adapter element 221 opposite the disk 222, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the adapter element 221, to allow an adaptation of the fastening element 220 on the cartridge 5, in the same way as for the adaptation of the brush and the rabbit's paw.

The disk 222 has on the periphery of its face turned towards the positioning rod 223 hooking teeth 225, intended to hook on the periphery of the roller-type painting instrument 226, in order to drive in rotation the roller 225 positioned on the positioning rod 223 with the fastening element 220.

Given the higher weight of the roller 22.6 compared to a painting instrument of rabbit leg type, it is necessary to fix the roller at both ends on the fastening element 220.

The rod 223 thus has on its free end a thread 223a, allowing the fixing by screwing of another element 227 for positioning the roll. This positioning element 227 comprises a disk 228, having on the periphery of its face intended to cooperate with the roller 226 hooking teeth 229, intended to catch on the periphery of the roller-like painting instrument 226, similarly to the teeth 225.

The element 227 has, in its central part a through hole, allowing the insertion of the disc in the rod 223, the element 227 being fixed on the rod 223 by a wing nut 230 which is screwed on the threaded portion 223a of the rod 223, to hold the roller 226 in place on the adapter element on the cartridge 5.

As can be seen on the Figure 11 for the second and third adapter elements 120 and 220, it is not necessary, as for the first adapter element 20, to have a guide 4, which acts as an extension element. Indeed, given the length of the roller, the adapter element 120 or 220 is fixed to the cartridge 5, and the cartridge 5 is directly fitted into the lid 3.

A use of the device 1 of the invention is, by way of example, described below.

In a first step, the cartridge 5 is fitted on the lid 3, interposing the guide 4 when the instrument to be painted is a brush.

The paint element 20, 120 or 220 corresponding to the instrument to be painted is then connected to the axis 19 of the cartridge 5, and the lid / cartridge / fastener / instrument assembly is then screwed on. to paint on the receptacle 2, previously filled with cleaning fluid (water or paint remover).

In the first cleaning phase of the instrument to be painted, the receptacle 2 is in its semi-unfolded position.

The instrument to be painted is rotated by means of the crank 14 in the cleaning liquid L, in order to eliminate by the cleaning liquid L the maximum of paint from the instrument to be painted.

Then, in a second spinning step of the instrument to be painted, the receptacle 2 is moved into its unfolded position (see FIG. Figures 5 and 11 ), the instrument to be painted in this position completely out of the cleaning liquid L.

Again, the instrument to be painted is rotated in the upper part of the receptacle 2, the residues of paint and cleaning liquid L being removed by the action of the centrifugal force exerted on the instrument to be painted by action of the user on the crank 14.

The residues of paint and cleaning liquid L are collected in the lower part of the receptacle 2 during the spinning operation.

Once the paint instrument has been wrung out, it is detached from the corresponding fastening element 20, 120 or 220.

The cleaning liquid L can be kept in the lower part of the receptacle 2 for further use, or can be emptied from the receptacle 2.

When the receptacle 2 is emptied of its contents, it can be brought to its folded position in which it occupies a minimum space, for storage.

If we refer to Figures 12 and 13 it can be seen that there is shown a device 301 for cleaning and wringing an instrument to be painted according to a second embodiment of the invention, the cleaning and the wringing being carried out in the same unfolded position of the receptacle , the cleaning liquid to be emptied after cleaning and the folded position of the receptacle corresponding to the storage position.

The device 301 comprises a receptacle 302 comprising a side wall closed on itself 302a, in accordion, which can be completely flattened for storage (position not shown) and to be unfolded as shown in FIG. Figure 13 for cleaning and spinning an instrument to be painted.

The side wall 302a is received in a bottom 306 ( Figure 12 ) and made part of it. In the bottom 306 is formed a central boss 306a ( Figure 12 ) directed inward, whose role is indicated below.

At its upper part, the receptacle 302 is closed for example by screwing by a cover 303 having a central circular opening 311 folded outwardly 311a.

A brush attachment means is adapted to be positioned in the receptacle 301 whose wall has been deployed, as shown in FIG. Figure 13 .

It comprises a rectangular frame 320 comprising two vertical branches 320a, 320b joined by two horizontal branches 320c, 320d.

The lower horizontal leg 320c carries at its center a cylindrical bulge 331 having a locating hole on the boss 306a in the mounting position.

The upper branch 320d comprises in its center a bulge 332 having an axial passage perpendicular to said branch 320d and of polygonal section.

The two vertical branches 320a and 320b are joined by a horizontal intermediate branch 320e approximately to the upper third of the frame 320 considered in its mounting position. The branch 320e carries at its center a bulge 333 having an axial passage perpendicular to said branch 320e. This bulge 333 internally has folds of material 333a that can be crushed when a brush is placed in the frame 320 as shown in FIG. Figure 13 and come tighten the handle of the brush 22 because they tend to spring back to their original position.

The frame 320 is formed by the union of two parts in the middle plane containing all of its branches, means of the rib / groove type carried by the periphery of each of these two parts can be provided to allow their assembly. It is advantageously possible to mold the frame 320 in its open state along one of its vertical branches, the two parts then being connected by one or more film hinges. These have not been illustrated so as not to overload the drawing.

The brush fixing means also comprises a connecting member 320A of the bulge 332 on the axis 19 projecting from the cartridge 5.

This connecting member 320A consists of a hollow rod whose two end regions have a polygonal internal section so as to be able to fit and fix, for example by clipping, on the one hand on the bulge 332 and other part on axis 19, also of polygonal section (square in the case where the axis 19 is such as that shown in the first embodiment).

The device 301 is completed by a guide 304 of the guide type 4 of the first embodiment, of smaller diameter, which comprises in the vicinity of its lower edge an annular recess 304a inwards, to form a lower part for the purpose of an adaptation on the cover 303 as will be described below.

• on fixe l'organe de liaison 320A sur l'axe 19 ;
• on ouvre le cadre 320 et on vient y placer le pinceau 22 de telle sorte que son manche soit pincé par les replis de matière 333a, par exemple au niveau de l'épaulement entre le manche proprement dit et la partie poils, l'extrémité du manche sortant du renflement 332, et le pinceau proprement dit venant se situer à une distance de la branche inférieure du cadre 320 ;
• on vient placer le cadre 320 portant le pinceau dans le réceptacle 302 sans son couvercle en positionnant le renflement 331 dans le bossage 306a ;
• on relève la paroi 302a du réceptacle 302, on introduit le liquide de nettoyage et on vient placer le couvercle 303 par vissage ; dans cette position, l'extrémité libre du manche 22 fait saillie hors du réceptacle 302 fermé par son couvercle 303 ;
• on vient placer le guide extérieur 30 dont la partie inférieure vient se placer contre la partie 311a du couvercle 303, le décrochement 304a venant en appui sur la bordure supérieure de la partie 311a, puis on introduit l'organe de liaison 320A par l'intérieur du guide 304 jusqu'à blocage de sa partie inférieure sur le renflement 332.

An assembly of the device 301 is carried out as follows for cleaning:

• the connecting member 320A is fixed on the axis 19;
• the frame 320 is opened and the brush 22 is placed there in such a way that its handle is gripped by the folds of material 333a, for example at the level of the shoulder between the handle itself and the bristle part, the end of the sleeve emerging from the bulge 332, and the brush proper being located at a distance from the lower branch of the frame 320;
• the frame 320 bearing the brush is placed in the receptacle 302 without its cover by positioning the bulge 331 in the boss 306a;
• the wall 302a of the receptacle 302 is raised, the cleaning liquid is introduced and the lid 303 is screwed on; in this position, the free end of the handle 22 projects out of the receptacle 302 closed by its lid 303;
• the outer guide 30 is placed, the lower part of which is placed against the portion 311a of the cover 303, the recess 304a bearing on the upper edge of the portion 311a, then the connecting member 320A is introduced from the inside of guide 304 until blocking of its lower part on the bulge 332.

One could also introduce the connecting member 320A not yet connected to the axis 19 and then come to place the guide 304 and finally make integral the axis 19 of the connecting member 320A.

The brush can then be rotated by operating the crank 14 for cleaning. In this action, the frame 320 rotates with the brush, the bulge 331 being free to rotate around the boss 306a.

Once the cleaning is complete, the lid 303 is removed to empty the liquid. A spout could be provided for this purpose in the upper part of the receptacle 302, and the brush is rotated by actuating the crank 14 for spinning.

Once spinning is complete, it is then possible to disassemble the device 301 by performing the reverse operations, the device 301 can be stored in the folded position of the wall 320a of the receptacle 320.

For the cleaning of a roller 226 (or a rabbit leg) with the aid of the device 301, a means 220A, which is of the type of the means 220 of the preceding embodiment, is used as fixing means for the roller 226. which differs from the latter in that the element 227 is replaced by an element 227A having on one face a tapped hole for the purpose of cooperation with the thread 223a of the rod 223 and on the other side a cavity intended for receive the boss 306a with possibility of rotation of the roller 226 equipped with the means 220A ( Figure 12 ).

When it is desired to use the device 301 for cleaning a roll 226, the roll is placed on the means 220A as before by threading the rod 223 in the axis of the roll 226, then the element 227A is screwed on and the we position the roller 226 in the receptacle 302 as shown in FIG. Figure 12 . The cleaning liquid is placed in the receptacle 302. The lid 303 is placed and the cartridge 5 is placed and fixed by introducing the pin 19 into the hole 224 of the adapter element 221 of the means 220A.

Then proceed as described above for cleaning and then for spinning.

Other embodiments, not shown, are also contemplated for the invention.

Thus, the gear mechanism located in the cartridge may comprise other levels of reduction, in a manner known to those skilled in the art, to further increase the rotational movement of the crank 14 transmitted to the axis 19.

It is also envisaged, within the context of the invention, for the gear mechanism located in the cartridge to be actuated by an electric motor, powered by batteries or by a battery or on a cigarette lighter (12 volts) of the vehicle. motor being actuated by a pushbutton located on the cartridge.

Similarly, although a cylindrical receptacle 2 is shown in the figures, one could also consider a receptacle of square section or more generally polygonal, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The device 1 of the invention, as well as the receptacle, the instrument attachment elements to be painted, the guide, may have different dimensions, adapted to the dimensions of the instruments to be painted with which the device 1 of the invention is to be used .

Claims (11)

1. A device (1) for cleaning and/or spin drying an applicator (22; 226) of a product having a liquid to doughy consistency, said applicator (22; 226) being of the type with bristles, such as a paintbrush or a brush, or made of foam, such as a pad or a roller, said applicator (22; 226) being carried at the end of a support, such as a handle, or adapted to be mounted, for its cleaning and/or spin drying, on a support protruding from an end of said applicator (22; 226), said cleaning and/or spin drying device (1) comprising:

   - a container (2; 302) able to contain a cleaning liquid (L) of the applicator (22; 226), said container (2; 302) having a side wall connected to a bottom (6; 306) and being closed by a cover (3; 303);

   - a module (5) for driving into rotation the applicator (22; 226), arranged above said container (2; 302), enclosing a mechanism operable from the outside to drive into rotation an axis (19) protruding from said module (5);

   - means (20; 120; 220; 320; 420) for adapting/fixing on said axis (19) the applicator support such that the applicator (22; 226) can come in contact with the cleaning liquid (L) for its cleaning, the cover (3; 303) of the container (2; 302) comprising an opening (11; 311) for said axis (19) or the support adapted/fixed in use position of the device (1) to pass through,

   characterized by the fact that the wall of the container (2; 302) has an accordion-type structure with adjustable height.
2. The cleaning and/or spin drying device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the height of the wall of the container (2; 302) is adjustable to take a position selected among a storage position in which the height is minimum, a cleaning position in which the height is greater than the minimum height, the container (2; 302) containing the cleaning liquid (L) and the applicator (22; 226) in the mounted position soaking in said cleaning liquid (L), and a spin drying position in which the height is greater than the height for the cleaning, the applicator (22; 226) no longer soaking in the cleaning liquid (L), or between a storage and cleaning position with minimum height and a spin drying position with maximum height, or between a storage position with minimum height and a cleaning and spin drying position with maximum height, where in the latter case the container (2; 302) must be emptied between cleaning and spin drying, the different positions also being able to be finely adjusted in height to allow the adaptation of different types of applicators (22; 226) within said device (1).
3. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that the container (2; 302) is made of plastic material selected among the polyvinylethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene.
4. The cleaning and spin drying device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the peripheral wall of the container (2; 302) has an accordion-type structure, selected to adopt a flattened minimum position between the bottom (6; 306) and the cover (3; 303) and extend in height to change to the desired cleaning and/or spin drying position, the material of said wall (302a) being selected such that the latter holds itself in the selected position or means (7a), possibly removable, being added on or in the container (2) to ensure that the wall is maintained at the desired height.
5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the means (7a) for maintaining the container at the desired height are constituted by at least one leg which is made into at least two hinged parts (7a1, 7a2), and the ends of which are fixed to the container (2), for example respectively to the bottom (6) of the container (2) and on the side wall thereof.
6. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the module (5) to drive into rotation has a user operation mechanism constituted by a crank (14) or an electric motor operated by a push-button and supplied by a battery or cells or mains or a cigar lighter, and a gear system (15, 16, 17, 18), optionally comprising one or more gear reduction stages (16) allowing to transmit a rotating movement to the axis (19) protruding inside the cover (3; 303) in use.
7. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, for cleaning and spin drying instruments, such as painting instruments, whether of paintbrush type (22) and mini hot dog roller type or roller type (226), characterized by the fact that a guide member (4) is provided to be interposed between the module (5) to drive into rotation and the cover (3; 303) in the case where the instrument to be cleaned and spin dried is of paintbrush type (22), the guide member (4) having a height allowing the free part of the handle of the paintbrush (22) to pass through.
8. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, for cleaning and spin drying a paintbrush-type instrument (22), characterized by the fact that the adapting/fixing means consist in a pinching member (20; 420) having means (23; 423) for hooking on the module (5) to drive into rotation and at least two arms (21a, 21b; 421a, 421b), for example two, three or four arms, allowing to pinch and wedge the handle of said instrument.
9. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, for cleaning and spin drying a mini hot dog roller or roller-type instrument (226), characterized by the fact that the adapting/fixing means (120; 220) comprise means (124; 224) for hooking on the module (5) to drive into rotation, a disk (122; 222) carrying teeth (125; 225) hooking on one end face of said instrument, a rod (123; 223) able to receive said instrument, the hooking means (120; 220), the disk (122; 222) and the rod (123; 223) being assembled integrally with the disk (122; 222) arranged between the hooking means (124; 224) and the rod (123; 223) and, when appropriate, a second disk (228) carrying teeth (229) hooking on another end face of said instrument, the second disk (228) being fixed by screwing on the end of the rod (123; 223) which in this case is threaded, said painting instrument, inserted on the rod (123; 223), being driven into rotation by hooking the teeth (125; 225, 229) of the one or more disk(s) (122; 222, 228) on a respective end face of said instrument.
10. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, for cleaning and spin drying instruments, such as paintbrush-type (22) and/or mini hot dog roller or roller-type (226) painting instruments, characterized by the fact that the adapting/fixing means (20; 120; 220; 320; 420) consist in:

    - for cleaning/spin drying a paintbrush-type instrument (22), a frame (320) to be inserted in the container (302), said frame (320) comprising two vertical legs (320a, 320b) and two horizontal legs (320c, 320d), the lower horizontal leg (320c) comprising means (331) for positioning at the bottom (306) of the container (302), the two vertical legs (320a, 320b) being united by an intermediate horizontal leg (320e) carrying means (333a) for clamping the handle of the paintbrush (22), and the upper horizontal leg (320d) comprising means (332) for connecting to the end of a rod (320A) cooperating by its other end with the axis (19) of the module (5) to drive into rotation, said rod (320A) being intended to be received in an outer guide (304) cooperating, on the one hand, with the cover (303) and, on the other hand, with the module (5) to drive into rotation; and

    - for cleaning/spin drying a mini hot dog roller or roller-type instrument (226), an axis (220A) able to be inserted in the axis of said roller (226) or said mini hot dog roller, cooperating at one end (227a) with means (306a) for positioning on the bottom (306) of the container (302) and, at its the other end, with a hooking means (224) which cooperates with the axis (19) of the module (5) to drive into rotation,

    said frame (320) and said axis (220A) being able to pivot around the positioning means (306a), said container (302) being able to adopt a folded storage position and an extended cleaning/spin drying position.
11. The device (1) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the frame (320) is made into two hinged parts according to a middle plane thereof, advantageously molded as a single piece, these two parts being hinged together and the bringing closer of these parts ensuring the pinching of the handle of the paintbrush (22), particularly by material folds (333a) provided in the clamping means (333).

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