EP3373767B1

EP3373767B1 - Painting tool and method for the purpose of cutting in

Info

Publication number: EP3373767B1
Application number: EP16802170.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maron Richard Zinser; Gordon Roger Hobeijn
Original assignee: PSO BV
Current assignee: PSO BV
Priority date: 2015-11-10
Filing date: 2016-11-10
Publication date: 2020-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-10
Also published as: WO2017082727A2; EP3373767A2; NL2015761B1; WO2017082727A3

Description

FIELD

The invention relates to a painting tool for cutting in. Cutting-in is understood to mean the act by which a sharp line of paint is applied in an internal corner which extends over a certain length and which forms the transition of two surfaces oriented at an angle to each other. In the following, such a connective internal corner will also be simply referred to as corner. The invention further relates to a method for cutting-in a paint line or paint stripe in an internal corner and then painting a surface bounding the corner using a paint roller.

BACKGROUND

Cutting-in is widely used for the purpose of painting of, for example, window frames where the corner is formed by a pane and the frame in which the pane is fastened. Often, the pane is secured in the frame with the aid of sealant. When painting the frame, sealant should also be covered with a layer of paint that extends up to the pane. Thus a good watertight seal is formed, protecting the sealant from weather influences so that a durable, stable fastening of the pane in the frame is obtained. However, cutting-in is also done when painting, for example, panel doors or other internally cornered objects, such as wainscoting, furniture and the like. Professional painters often cut-in such corners freehand, which requires a steady hand and should be done with the necessary accuracy. Freehand cutting-in requires skill and is time-consuming. Also, instead of freehand cutting-in, use is made of masking tape. However, applying masking tape is also a time consuming job.
DE202006000637U1 discloses a paint cartridge with a spout including a brush which is mounted in and extends from a cylindrical nozzle. A paint supply tube extends into the brush. Mounted on the nozzle is a guiding tube which is axially movably arranged on the nozzle. On the guiding tube a cover sleeve is mounted or integrally formed therewith. The cover sleeve has a distal opening which engages the brush hairs to force the brush hairs into a desired shape, e.g. a circular shape or a flattened shape.
In WO2011/155843 A1 , the present applicants have described a painting tool for cutting-in. This publication discloses the features of the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1. Although this painting tool is quite satisfactory, its development has been ongoing and further problems have been solved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a painting tool for the purpose of cutting-in according to claim 1.
Due to the presence of the brush channel which terminates in the brush surface, the paint supplied via the paint supply tube is directly, that is, with relatively low flow resistance, passed to the brush surface. The brush channel axis and the paint supply tube axis coincide with each other but are staggered with respect to the brush axis. As a result, the brush in actual fact has a pointed brush tip. The presence of this pointed brush tip is of essential importance to cut-in a fine sharp paint line. As the brush channel is arranged in staggered relation to the brush axis, the paint transported toward the brush surface during cutting-in is directly uniformly distributed on the surface by the brush hairs extending downstream of the opening in the brush surface, while with the aid of the brush tip, the boundary of the distributed paint can be accurately controlled so that a sharp straight paint stripe or paint line can be obtained. Using the painting tool according to the invention, cutting-in can therefore be still more accurate than with the known painting tool.
In an embodiment, the brush hairs bounding the paint supply tube extend beyond the distal end of the paint supply tube by such a length that the brush hairs at a reduced pressure in the paint reservoir move towards each other so that the outlet opening of the paint supply tube is substantially closed off by the brush hairs. Generally, the paint reservoir will be implemented as a tube. When the tube is squeezed, paint is supplied to the paint supply tube and cutting-in can be done. As soon as the squeezing force on the tube is released, a reduced pressure arises in the paint supply tube as a result of which a reduced pressure also arises in the brush channel in the brush. This causes the hairs bounding the brush channel and extending beyond the distal end of the paint supply tube to move together and thereby substantially close off the outlet of the paint supply tube. As a result, no drops of paint fall on the floor or on other parts, such as, for instance, parts already painted.
Another problem the inventors found themselves faced with resides in the fact that corners are not all equal. Sometimes, one of the two bounding surfaces is particularly low, leaving hardly any room for the nozzle to be supported against. In some cases, very little sealant is applied in the corner while, conversely, in other cases quite a lot of sealant is applied in the corner.
The painting tool includes a guiding element provided with a substantially tubular wall defining a central passage, the guiding element being adjustably mounted on the nozzle in that the nozzle extends in the central passage of the guiding element, wherein a distal edge of the tubular wall of the guiding element defines three guiding points which, in use of the painting tool, can be pressed against a guiding surface, whereby through adjustment of the guiding element on the nozzle, the position of the guiding points can be set with respect to the position of the brush tip, wherein the three guiding points are substantially located on a circle whose center is located on the brush axis, and wherein, viewed in the direction of the brush axis from a distal end of the guiding element to a proximal end of the guiding element, the three guiding points are substantially located on an equilateral triangle, a first and a second guiding point being substantially located on two base angular points forming the end points of a base of the equilateral triangle, and a third guiding point being substantially located on an apical angular point of the equilateral triangle, located opposite the base, wherein a perpendicular biscector of the equilateral triangle extends from the apical angular point to the base of the triangle, wherein the center of the circle is located on the perpendicular bisector, wherein the brush channel axis of the brush channel in the brush and the paint supply tube axis coinciding therewith intersect the perpendicular bisector in a point located between the apical angular point and the center of the circle.
As a consequence of the presence of the adjustable guiding element the at least one guiding element can be positioned with respect to the brush tip, so that corners of different depths as a result of, for instance, sealant applied in different manners, can be cut-in. Also corners where the two bounding surfaces are not at right angles to each other can be excellently cut-in with such an adjustable guiding element.
The invention also provides a method which comprises:

applying a paint line in an internal corner between two surfaces by cutting-in using the painting tool according to the invention; and
covering at least one of the surfaces bounding the internal corner using a paint roller with stop.

With the aid of such a method, corners can be cut-in very rapidly and accurately and either surface or both surfaces bounding the corner can be painted with the paint roller. In practice, it has proved that a job chiefly consisting of painting frames can be done no less than two to five times more rapidly than with conventional painting methods, while the final result is even sharper and, in terms of painting technique, better than can be realized with the conventional painting methods.
Further elaborations of the invention are described in the subclaims and will be further clarified hereinbelow with reference to the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a painting tool according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows the example depicted in Fig. 1 in a similar but exploded perspective view;
Fig. 3 shows a view seen in the direction of the brush axis 14L of the brush from the distal end of the brush to the proximal end of the brush;
Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 shows detail V of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a separate guiding element;
Fig. 7 shows a view in the direction of the line of intersection of the two surfaces in which two distal edge parts are located;
Fig. 8 shows a top plan view of the guiding element of Fig. 6;
Fig. 9 shows a side view of the guiding element of Fig. 6;
Fig. 10 shows a bottom view of the guiding element of Fig. 6;
Fig. 11 shows the guiding element of Fig. 6 seen in the direction of its axis from a distal end towards a proximal end of the guiding element;
Fig. 12 shows in perspective an alternative example of a guiding element with engaging means;
Fig. 13 shows a similar view to Fig. 11, of the example of the guiding element that is represented in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 shows the alternative guiding element, fastened on the nozzle of the painting tool of Fig. 1;
Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the use of the example of the painting tool during cutting-in of a corner which is bounded by two surfaces;
Fig. 16 shows the detail of Fig. 15; and
Fig. 17 shows an assembly of a paint frame with paint roller provided with a stop and a handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the most general terms, the invention provides a painting tool 10 for the purpose of cutting-in. As is clearly visible in the example represented in the figures, more particularly in Figs.1-4, the painting tool comprises a paint reservoir 12 and a brush 14 provided with brush hairs jointly defining a brush surface. In non-loaded condition, the brush surface extends substantially concentrically around a brush axis 14L. The brush surface extends from a proximal end 14p having a substantially circular cross section to a distal end 14d forming a pointed brush tip. From the proximal end 14p to the distal end 14d, the brush surface has a substantially conically tapering configuration. The painting tool 10 further comprises a paint supply tube 16 extending along a paint supply tube axis 16L, with the paint supply tube axis 16L extending parallel to the brush axis 14L of the brush. The paint supply tube 16 is provided with an inlet opening 16i at a proximal end 16p and an outlet opening 16o at a distal end 16d. The inlet opening 16i is in fluid communication with the paint reservoir 12. The painting tool 10 also has a nozzle 20 provided with a supply channel 22 defining a supply channel axis 22L. In a distal end 22d of the supply channel 22, the brush 14 is fastened thereto by its proximal end 14p. The proximal end 16p of the paint supply tube 16 terminates in the supply channel 22 at a point proximal with respect to the proximal end 14p of the brush 14. Thus, the paint can be supplied directly from the supply channel 22 of the nozzle 20 to the paint supply tube 16. The proximal end 14p of the brush 14 is not in direct fluid communication with the paint in the supply channel 22. The brush 14 is therefore supplied with paint only via the paint supply tube 16. In the brush 14, a brush channel 18 is formed which is bounded by brush hairs. A brush channel axis 18L of the brush channel 18 extends parallel to the brush axis 14L. A distal end 18d of the brush channel 18 terminates in the brush surface. The paint supply tube 16 extends in a proximal part of the brush channel 18 and the brush channel 18 extends further distally of the distal end 16d of the paint supply tube 16 in that the brush hairs bounding the brush channel 18 extend beyond the distal end 16d of the paint supply tube 16.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the brush hairs that bound the paint supply tube 16 can extend beyond the distal end 16d of the paint supply tube 16 by such a length that the brush hairs at a reduced pressure in the paint reservoir 12 move towards each other so that the outlet opening of the paint supply tube 16 is substantially closed off by the brush hairs.
The painting tool 10 is further provided with a guiding element 24 having a substantially tubular wall 26 defining a central passage 28. Details of the two guiding elements 24 are shown in Figs. 6-14. The guiding element 24 is adjustably mounted on the nozzle 20 in that the nozzle 20 extends in the central passage 28 of the guiding element 24. A distal edge 26d of the tubular wall 26 of the guiding element 24 in this embodiment forms three guiding points 30, 32, 34 which in use of the painting tool can be pressed against a guiding surface. The guiding surface is generally formed by either or both of the surfaces bounding the corner. Thus, a stable positioning of the brush tip with respect to the corner can be obtained. Through adjustment of the guiding element 24 on the nozzle 20, the position of the at least one guiding point 30, 32, 34 can be set with respect to the position of the brush tip.
The advantages of the invention and the two above described embodiments thereof have already been discussed above in the summary of the invention to which reference is made now.
A distal edge 26d with more than three guiding points 30, 32, 34 also falls within the framework of the invention. A distal edge 26d with three guiding points 30, 32, 34 has the advantage that three guiding points constitute a three-point support and hence provide a stable positioning on a surface or in a corner between two surfaces.
As shown Figs. 5-7, the distal edge 26d of the tubular wall 26 of the guiding element 24 forms three guiding points 30, 32, 34 which are located on a circle C, the center M of which is located on the brush axis 14L. Viewed in the direction of the passage axis 28L from a distal end 24d of the guiding element 24 to a proximal end 24d of the guiding element 24 (see Fig. 11) the three guiding points 30, 32, 34 are located on an equilateral triangle. A first and a second guiding point 30, 32 are located on two base angular points B1, B2 forming the end points of a base B of the equilateral triangle. A third guiding point 34 is located at an apical angular point T of the equilateral triangle, located opposite to the base. A perpendicular biscector ML of the equilateral triangle extends from the apical angular point T to the base B of the triangle. The center M of the circle C mentioned is on the central perpendicular bisector ML. The brush channel axis 18L of the brush channel in the brush 14 and the paint supply tube axis 16L coinciding therewith intersect the perpendicular bisector ML in a point S located between the apical angular point T and the center M of the circle.
With a thus designed guiding element 24 a stable three-point support is obtained, also allowing a correct positioning of the paint supply tube 16 with respect to the surface to be painted, that is, a positioning of the paint supply tube 16 during use on the convexly curved side of the brush 14. Thus, the chances of a painter positioning the painting tool 10 incorrectly with respect to the surface to be painted are reduced to a minimum and a straight sharp cut-in paint line 86 can be rapidly formed.
In addition to the guiding points 30, 32, 34, the distal edge 26d can also form guiding surfaces with the aid of which the guiding element 24 can be supported on either or both of the surfaces bounding the corner of the object to be painted. Thus, in an embodiment, the distal edge 26d can comprise two distal edge parts 26d1, 26d2, with a first distal edge part 26d1 extending in a first plane 26V1 and with a second distal edge part 26d2 extending in a second plane 26V2. The two planes 26V1, 26V2 can mutually include an angle α of approximately 90°. In the example shown in the figures, the distal edge 26 is indeed of such a design and the third guiding point 34 is substantially on the line of intersection of the two planes while the first guiding point 30 is substantially in the first plane 26V1 and the second guiding point 32 is substantially in the second plane 26V2. Tests have shown that a thus designed guiding element 24 provides excellent support and stability for creating a particularly straight sharp cut-in paint line 86 in a very short time. The guiding points 30, 32, 34 do not lie exactly in the planes 26V1 and 26V1 as a result of the distal edge part 26d being slightly rounded off at the location of the guiding points 30, 32, 34.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the tubular wall 26 of the guiding element 24 may be interrupted by a recess 36 which extends throughout the length of the tubular wall 26 and is substantially parallel to a axis 28L of the central passage 28.
Firstly, the recess 36 can provide space for receiving brush hairs located on the concave side of the brush 14. What can be prevented by this is that the brush tip would be pressed flat during bending or flexing and no longer have a truly pointed shape. Loss of the truly pointed shape has an adverse effect on the preciseness of the cut-in line. Hence, a receiving space formed by the recess 36 is of benefit. A second effect of the recess 36 is that the tubular wall 26 becomes slightly flexible, so that the inner diameter of the tubular wall 26 can be slightly augmented by the moving apart of the edges of the tube wall 26 bounding the recess 36. Augmenting the inner diameter of the tube wall 26 can be of benefit when moving the guiding element 24 on the nozzle 20.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the tubular wall 26 of the guiding element 24 may be provided with a circumferential groove 38, with a first O-ring 40 received under a bias in the circumferential groove 38, so that recess 36 is pressed closed to some extent and, in mounted condition of the guiding element 24 on the nozzle 20, there is a friction force-based connection between the guiding element 24 and the nozzle 20.
The O-ring 40 can exert a permanent tensile force, so that even after prolonged use the guiding element 24 is still firmly clamped on the nozzle 20. Without O-ring 40, as a result of tension relaxation in the plastic of the guiding element 24, the tension of the guiding element 24 on the nozzle 20 could gradually decrease so that the friction resistance between the guiding element 24 and the nozzle 20 could decrease too far to guarantee a stable positioning of the guiding element 24 on the nozzle 20. With the aid of the O-ring 40, the occurrence of this unwanted phenomenon can be prevented.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in Figs. 12-14, engaging means 42 that can be engaged by hand may be connected to the tubular wall 26. Such engaging means 42 may be configured, when engaged by hand, to bend the tubular wall 26 so that the internal diameter of the guiding element 24 is augmented. As a result, the frictional force between the guiding element 24 and the nozzle 20 is reduced, so that adjusting the guiding element 24 with respect to the nozzle 20 and hence with respect to the brush tip can be carried out with less force and hence more accurately. It is also possible to use the engaging means with a guiding element 24 that is not provided with an O-ring for creating the squeezing force. In relaxed condition, the guiding element 24 can for instance have a slightly smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the nozzle 20, so that internal stresses in the guiding element already create sufficient squeezing force and hence sufficient frictional force to accomplish a stable attachment of the guiding element 24 on the nozzle 20. The engaging means 42 can for instance be designed as a kind of clothes peg provided with two levers connected to the tubular wall 26 and which can be squeezed together between thumb and index finger so that the inner diameter of the tubular wall 26 is slightly increased and accurate displacement of the guiding element 24 on the nozzle 20 is possible.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, on the nozzle 20 a cam 44 may be provided which is received in the recess 36 in the tubular wall 26 of the guiding element 24. The mutual engagement between the cam 44 and the recess 36 effects a rotational orientation of the guiding element 24 with respect to the nozzle 20.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the painting tool 10 may be provided with a clamping bush 46 in which the proximal end of the brush 14 and the paint supply tube 16 are clamped. The clamping bush 46 may then be provided at an outside surface thereof with an orientation cam 48, whereby the rotational position of the paint supply tube 16 and the orientation cam 46 are mutually fixed. The supply channel 22 of the nozzle 20 can be provided with an orientation recess 50 for receiving the orientation cam 48, such that the rotational position of the clamping bush 46 and hence of the paint supply tube 16 with respect to the nozzle 20 is fixed.
In a combination of the latter two embodiments, of which an example is shown in the figures, the rotational position of the orientation recess 50 in the supply channel 22 of the nozzle 20 and the rotational position of the cam 44 on the nozzle with respect to each other are fixed. As a result of this, also the rotational position of the paint supply tube 16 with respect to the rotational position of the guiding element 24 is fixed.
This is of great importance because during cutting-in, the brush 14 is always bent into a curve which is convex on the side of the brush 14 facing the surface to be painted and is concave on the side of the brush 14 facing away from the surface to be painted. By fixing the rotational position of the paint supply tube 16 with respect to the guiding element 24 and hence with respect to the at least one guiding point 30, 32, 34, it can be guaranteed that the paint supply tube 16 is always closer to the convex side of the brush 14 than to the concave side of the brush 14. As a result, the paint will always reach the brush surface on the convex side of the brush 14, that is, on the side of the brush 14 that faces the surface to the painted. The brush hairs extending downstream of the termination of the brush channel 18 in the brush surface together form the brush tip and the paint is therefore, directly upon being dispensed via the brush channel mouth into the brush surface, directly neatly distributed so as to form a line, while with the aid of the brush tip, the boundary of the line can be controlled very accurately. Such control can proceed so accurately because the at least one guiding point 30, 32, 34 of the guiding element 24 is pressed against one of the surfaces bounding the corner. Preferably, supporting is done against the two surfaces bounding the corner. As a result of this configuration it is accomplished that, every time, sufficient paint is available for forming the sharp paint line 86 and as a result of the accurate positioning of the brush channel mouth with respect to the surface to be painted, moreover, a proper distribution of the paint with the aid of the brush 14 is obtained.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the painting tool 10 may be provided with a coupling piece 52 which by a proximal coupling piece end 52p thereof is connected with the paint reservoir 12 and which by a distal coupling piece end 52d thereof is connected with a proximal end 20p of the nozzle 20. The paint reservoir 12 may be implemented as a tube, the tube being provided with a tube wall 54 and a tube mouth 56. The tube mouth 56 in such an embodiment forms a distal mouth edge 56a which extends in a mouth edge plane 56P. The tube wall 54 defines a tube axis 54L which extends perpendicular to the mouth edge plane and which intersects an imaginary center of the mouth edge. According to the present embodiment, the coupling piece 52 is of bent configuration, so that, when the tube 12 is connected with the proximal coupling piece end 52p and the nozzle 20 is connected with the distal coupling piece end 52d, the tube axis 54L and the supply channel axis 22L include an angle φ.
This bent coupling piece 52 simplifies the use of the painting tool 10 in that it also makes it easier to cut-in with the painting tool 10 in a corner above one's head, since the tube can be held in a downwardly directed position while the nozzle 20 can then be positioned in a suitable angular position with respect to the surface to be painted (see Fig. 15).
In a painting tool as known, for example, from WO2011/155843 A1 , the axis of the tube and the axis of the nozzle were coaxial, with the result that fairly soon use had to be made of a stepladder to be able to position the nozzle in a proper angular position with respect to the surface to be painted.
In a further elaboration, the angle φ is preferably in the range of 30-60°, and more particularly the angle φ is around 45°.
When the paint reservoir 12 is empty, it must be possible to fill it quickly. To this end, in an embodiment, the connection between the nozzle 20 and the coupling piece 52 can be a bayonet joint. Such a bayonet makes quick uncoupling of the nozzle 20 from the coupling piece 52 possible. A fairly large opening is thereby formed, via which the tube can be filled up with paint fairly simply.
It may be of particular advantage when the bayonet joint is configured to allow different positionings of the nozzle 20 with respect to the coupling piece 52. In such an embodiment, in a first position of the nozzle 20 on the coupling piece 52, the above-mentioned perpendicular bisector ML may be located in a same plane as that in which extend the tube axis 54L and the supply channel axis 22L of the nozzle 20. In a second position of the nozzle 20 on the coupling piece 52 the perpendicular bisector ML mentioned can extend perpendicular to the plane in which extend the tube axis 54L and the supply channel axis 22L.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the connection between the tube 12 and the coupling piece 52 can be a screwed connection. Tubes provided with a mouth portion with outer thread are generally known. The present tube 12 is distinguished from the known tubes in that the inner diameter of the mouth portion is relatively large, so that via the tube mouth 56 the tube 12 can be filled with paint and during filling air can escape from the tube. 'Relatively large' in this connection should be understood to mean an inner diameter in the range of around 10-40 mm.
For the purpose of forming a fluid-tight connection between the tube 12 and the coupling piece 52, the painting tool 10, in an embodiment, may be provided with a second O-ring 58 which is included in the connection between the coupling piece 52 and the tube 12.
For the purpose of forming a fluid-tight connection between the coupling piece 52 and the nozzle 20, the painting tool 10, in an embodiment, may be provided with a third O-ring 60 which is included in the connection between the coupling piece 52 and the nozzle 20.
To limit, as far as possible, brush 14 drying out during breaks during the use of the painting tool 10, the painting tool 10, in an embodiment, may be provided with a cap 62 which is placeable on the nozzle 20 and constitutes a substantially airtight shield of the brush 14 from the surroundings.
In an embodiment, of which an example is shown in the figures, the coupling piece 52 may be provided with at least one planar support surface 52a which is so positioned that when the painting tool 10 lies by the support surface 52a on a horizontal surface, the brush 14, viewed from the proximal brush end 14p to the distal brush end 14d, is directed obliquely upwards. When the painting tool 10 is laid by its support surface 52a on a horizontal surface, the brush 14 and the nozzle 20 are directed obliquely upwards, which ensures that in such rest condition no paint drips out of the brush 14 when the painting tool is not used. The example of the painting tool 10 that is represented in the figures is provided with two of such support surfaces 52a which are visible in Fig. 15.
Figs. 15 and 16 show the use of the painting tool 10 during cutting-in of a corner 80 between two surfaces 82, 84. Clearly visible is that one, two or all three guiding points 30, 32, 34 are supported against either or both of the surfaces 82, 84. Especially in Fig. 16 it is visible that the brush 14 is slightly bent in that it is pressed against either or both of the surfaces 82, 84. With the aid of the painting tool 10, in a particularly fast manner, that is, much faster than taping up with masking tape or cutting-in freehand, a very straight sharp paint line 86 can be cut-in.
After applying the paint line 86 cut-in with the painting tool, for instance the surface 84 can be provided with a layer of paint in a fast and efficient manner using a paint roller 100 with stop 120. Preferably, the paint roller 100 is implemented in the manner as described in the patent application concurrently filed by applicant(s) which relates to a paint roller 100 provided with a handle 126 nonrotatably connected with the paint roller shaft 106. The contents of that application are considered inserted here.
The invention also provides a method which comprises:

applying a paint line 86 in an internal corner 80 between two surfaces 82, 84 by cutting-in using the painting tool 10 according to the invention; and
using a paint roller 100 with stop 120, covering at least one of the surfaces bounding the internal corner 80.

With the aid of such a method, which is shown in Figs. 15-17, very fast and accurately, corners 80 can be cut-in and one or both of the surfaces 82, 84 bounding the corner 80 can be painted. In practice, it has been found that a job chiefly consisting of painting window frames can be carried out no less than two to five times faster than with the aid of conventional painting methods, while the end result is even sharper and, in terms of painting technique, better than can be realized with the conventional painting methods.
In a further elaboration of the method, where the paint roller 100 is provided with a handle 126 nonrotatably connected with the paint roller shaft 106, the method can further include setting the stop 120 by means of turning in an axial direction with respect to the paint roller shaft 106 while the paint roller 100 is held by the handle 126 by the painter. Thus, without the painter getting dirty hands, the stop 120 can be appropriately positioned, so that in painting the surface 82 and/or 84, the lateral edge of the cut-in paint line 86 is neatly covered by the paint that is applied with the paint roller 100.
It will be clear that the method can also include setting the guiding element 24 with respect to the nozzle 20 and hence with respect to the brush tip 14d. What can thus be realized is that the width and the position of the cut-in paint line 86 during practice of the method can be accurately tuned to the particulars of the respective corner 80, such as, for example, the execution of sealant provided in the corner 80 or the mutual angle between the two surfaces 82, 84.
While the above-described embodiments have all been used in the example represented in the figures, it is important that is be clear that the embodiments described above can be used independently of each other in other examples of the painting tool. Reference numerals used in the detailed description are for clarification only and do not limit the invention. The detailed description can also be read without reference numerals and therefore also constitutes a description of the various embodiments without relation to the example of the figures. The reference numerals included in the claims are also for clarification only and do not in any way limit the claims.

Claims

A painting tool (10) for the purpose of cutting-in, comprising:
- a paint reservoir (12);

- a brush (14) provided with brush hairs which jointly define a brush surface which in non-loaded condition extends substantially concentrically around a brush axis (14L) and which extends from a proximal end (14p) having a substantially circular cross section to a distal end (14d) forming a sharp brush tip, wherein the brush surface from the proximal end (14p) to the distal end (14d) has a substantially conically tapering configuration;

- a paint supply tube (16) extending along a paint supply tube axis (16L), the paint supply tube axis (16L) extending parallel to the brush axis (14L), the paint supply tube (16) being provided with an inlet opening (16i) at a proximal end (16p) and an outlet opening (16o) at a distal end (16d), the inlet opening (16i) being in fluid communication with the paint reservoir (12);

- a nozzle (20) provided with a supply channel (22) defining a supply channel axis (22L), while in a distal end (22d) of the supply channel (22) the brush (14) is fastened by the proximal end (14p), while the proximal end (16p) of the paint supply tube (16) terminates in the supply channel (22) at a point proximal with respect to the proximal end (14p) of the brush (14);

- a brush channel (18) formed in the brush (14) and bounded by brush hairs, a brush channel axis (18L) of the brush channel (18) extending parallel to the brush axis (14L), and of which a distal end (18d) forms an opening in the brush surface, the paint supply tube (16) extending in a proximal part of the brush channel (18), and wherein the brush channel (18) distally of the distal end (16d) of the paint supply tube (16) extends further in that the brush hairs bounding the brush channel (18) extend beyond the distal end (16d) of the paint supply tube (16);
characterized in that

- a guiding element (24) provided with a substantially tubular wall (26) defining a central passage (28), the guiding element (24) being adjustably mounted on the nozzle (20) in that the nozzle (20) extends in the central passage (28) of the guiding element (24), wherein a distal edge (26d) of the tubular wall (26) of the guiding element (24) defines three guiding points (30, 32, 34) which in use of the painting tool can be pressed against a guiding surface, while through adjustment of the guiding element (24) on the nozzle (20) the position of the guiding points (30, 32, 34) can be set with respect to the position of the brush tip, wherein the three guiding points (30, 32, 34) are substantially located on a circle whose center (M) is located on the brush axis (14L), and wherein, viewed in the direction of the brush axis (14L) from a distal end (24d) of the guiding element (24) to a proximal end (24p) of the guiding element (24), the three guiding points (30, 32, 34) are substantially located on an equilateral triangle, a first and a second guiding point (30, 32) being substantially located on two base angular points (B1, B2) forming the end points of a base (B) of the equilateral triangle, and a third guiding point (34) being substantially located on an apical angular point (T) of the equilateral triangle, located opposite the base, wherein a perpendicular biscector (ML) of the equilateral triangle extends from the apical angular point (T) to the base (B) of the triangle, wherein the center (M) of the circle is located on the perpendicular bisector (ML), wherein the brush channel axis (18L) of the brush channel (18) in the brush (14) and the paint supply tube axis (16L) coinciding therewith intersect the perpendicular bisector (ML) in a point (S) located between the apical angular point (T) and the center (M) of the circle.
The painting tool according to claim 1, wherein the brush hairs bounding the brush channel (18) extend beyond the distal end (16d) of the paint supply tube (16) by such a length that the brush hairs at a reduced pressure in the paint reservoir (12) move towards each other so that the outlet opening of the paint supply tube (16) is substantially closed off by the brush hairs.
The painting tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distal edge (26d) comprises two distal edge parts (26d1, 26d2), a first distal edge part (26d1) extending in a first plane (26V1) and a second distal edge part (26d2) extending in a second plane (26V2), the two planes (26V1, 26V2) mutually including an angle (α) of approximately 90°.
The painting tool according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the tubular wall (26) of the guiding element (24) is interrupted by a recess (36) which extends throughout the length of the tubular wall (26) and is substantially parallel to an axis (28L) of the central passage (28).
The painting tool according to claim 4, wherein the tubular wall (26) of the guiding element (24) is provided with a circumferential groove (38), with a first O-ring (40) received under a bias in the circumferential groove (38), so that recess (36) is slightly pressed closed and, in mounted condition of the guiding element (24) on the nozzle (20), there is a friction force-based connection between the guiding element (24) and the nozzle (20).
The painting tool according to claim 4 or 5, wherein connected with the tubular wall (26) are engaging means (42) that can be engaged by hand and which are configured, upon being engaged by hand, to bend the tubular wall (26) so that the internal diameter of the guiding element (24) is augmented and frictional force between the guiding element (24) and the nozzle (20) is reduced, so that adjusting the guiding element (24) with respect to the nozzle (20) and hence with respect to the brush tip can take place with less force and hence more accurately.
The painting tool according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein on the nozzle (20) a cam (44) is arranged which is received in the recess (36) in the tubular wall (26) of the guiding element (24) for rotational orientation of the guiding element (24) with respect to the nozzle (20).
The painting tool according to any one of claims 1-7, comprising:
- a clamping bush (46) in which the proximal end of the brush (14) and the paint supply tube (16) are clamped, wherein the clamping bush (46) at an outer surface thereof is provided with an orientation cam (48), wherein the rotational position of the paint supply tube (16) and the orientation cam (46) with respect to each other are fixed and wherein the supply channel (22) of the nozzle (20) is provided with an orientation recess (50) for receiving the orientation cam (48), such that the rotational position of the clamping bush (46) and hence of the paint supply tube (16) with respect to the nozzle (20) is fixed.
The painting tool according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle is designed according to claim 7, wherein the rotational position of the orientation recess (50) in the supply channel (22) of the nozzle (20) and the rotational position of the cam (44) on the nozzle with respect to each other are fixed, such that the rotational position of the paint supply tube (16) with respect to the rotational position of the guiding element (24) is fixed.
The painting tool according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:
- a coupling piece (52) which by a proximal coupling piece end (52p) thereof is connected with the paint reservoir (12) and which by a distal coupling piece end (52d) thereof is connected with a proximal end (20p) of the nozzle (20), wherein the paint reservoir (12) is designed as a tube, the tube being provided with a tube wall (54) and a tube mouth (56), which tube mouth (56) has a distal mouth edge which extends in a mouth edge plane and wherein the tube defines a tube axis (54L) which extends perpendicular to the mouth edge plane, wherein the coupling piece (52) is of bent design, so that, when the tube (12) is connected with the proximal coupling piece end (52p) and the nozzle (20) is connected with the distal coupling piece end (52d), the tube axis (54L) and the supply channel axis (22L) include an angle (φ) in the range of 30-60°, and more particularly is around 45°.
The painting tool according to claim 10, wherein the connection between the nozzle (20) and the coupling piece (52) is a bayonet joint.
The painting tool according to claim 11, wherein the bayonet joint is configured to allow different positionings of the nozzle (20) with respect to the coupling piece (52), wherein in a first position of the nozzle (20) on the coupling piece (52) said perpendicular bisector (ML) is located in a same plane as that in which extend the tube axis (54L) and the supply channel axis (22L) of the nozzle (20), wherein in a second position of the nozzle (20) on the coupling piece (52) said perpendicular bisector (ML) extends perpendicular to the plane in which extend the tube axis (54L) and the supply channel axis (22L).
The painting tool according to claim 10, wherein the connection between the tube (12) and the coupling piece (52) is a screwed connection.
A method which comprises:
- applying a paint line (86) in an internal corner (80) between two surfaces (82, 84) by cutting-in using the painting tool according to any one of claims 1-13; and

- covering at least one of the surfaces (82, 84) bounding the internal corner (80) using a paint roller (100) with a stop (120).
The method according to claim 14, wherein the method also comprises, prior to cutting-in, setting the guiding element (24) with respect to the nozzle (20) and hence with respect to the brush tip (14d).
The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the paint roller (100) is provided with a handle (126) non-rotatably connected with the paint roller shaft (106), wherein the method further comprises setting of the stop (120) in an axial direction with respect to the paint roller shaft (106) by means of turning the stop (120) while the paint roller (100) is held by the painter by the handle (126).