EP4188613A1

EP4188613A1 - Fluid reservoir for a spray gun with a ventilation device

Info

Publication number: EP4188613A1
Application number: EP21752026.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Dettlaff
Original assignee: SATA GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: SATA GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2020-07-31
Filing date: 2021-07-29
Publication date: 2023-06-07
Also published as: CA3188154A1; WO2022023468A1; DE102020120228A1; CN116056799A; US20230286000A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid reservoir (11) for a spray gun (1), which fluid reservoir has a material outlet which is configured for the direct and/or indirect connection to a spray gun (1), wherein the fluid reservoir has a ventilation device (16), via which air can flow into the fluid reservoir (11) in order to ensure a pressure compensation when coating material flows out from the fluid reservoir (11) via the material outlet. Advantageously, the ventilation device (16) comprises a device on the outside of the fluid reservoir (11) and separately to a ventilation opening (61) and a latching device, which device cooperates as a centering device, a retaining device and/or a guide device with the closure element (51).

Description

Gravity cup for a spray gun with an aeration device

The invention relates to a flow cup for a spray gun, which has a material outlet which is designed for direct and/or indirect connection to a spray gun, the flow cup having a ventilation device through which air can flow into the flow cup in order to equalize the pressure when outflowing coating material from the gravity cup via the material outlet, wherein the ventilation device comprises a closure element which can be moved between at least one open position in which air can flow into the gravity cup and a closed position in which no air can flow through the ventilation device into the gravity cup , wherein the closure element has a closure plug which, in the closed position of the closure element, closes a ventilation opening in the flow cup, and wherein a latching device, in particular a (first) hollow collar, is provided separately from the ventilation opening, by means of d erer the closure element can be held latching at least in the closed position.

Such a flow cup is known, for example, from DE 10 2004007733 A1. The flow cup described there comprises a cup-shaped container and a lid that can be screwed onto it via a thread. On its upper side, the cover has an outlet socket with an outlet opening, which is designed for direct or indirect (by means of an adapter) connection to a spray gun. It is a so-called upside-down flow cup, which is mounted on a spray gun with the lid facing down.

When coating a surface using the spray gun equipped with the flow cup, coating material, e.g. B. paint, via the outlet nozzle from the flow cup into the spray gun. In order to ensure pressure equalization when coating material flows out of the flow cup via the outlet nozzle, the bottom of the cup-shaped container is equipped with a provided ventilation valve. The ventilation valve comprises a hollow collar, the wall of which protrudes perpendicularly outwards from the bottom of the container. A ventilation opening in the bottom of the container is placed in the middle of the hollow collar. A plurality of latching ribs are provided on the outer circumference of the hollow collar, which are used to hold a cap-shaped closure element in a closed position, in which a central closure plug of the closure element closes the ventilation opening. The closure element can be moved back and forth between the closed position and at least one open position. In particular, it is a plug-in valve.

Gravity cups with ventilation devices in the form of plug-in valves of a similar construction have also become known from the documents DE 10 2006 029 802 A1, EP 2 277 628 B1 and EP 1 658 143 A2.

In practice, flow cups with such aeration devices have proven themselves. However, the gravity cup and in particular the associated aeration device must meet enormous demands on long-term functional reliability, even with repeated opening and closing under the intensive influence of solvents and after prolonged storage of various substances in the gravity cup.

For this reason, the invention has set itself the goal of increasing the functional reliability of the aeration devices of generic gravity cups.

The problem is solved by a flow cup with the features of claim 1.

The gravity cup according to the invention is characterized in that a device is provided on the outside of the gravity cup separately, in particular spaced, from the ventilation opening and separately, in particular spaced, from the latching device, which acts as a centering, retaining and/or guiding device with the closure element works together. The latching device is preferably attached to the outside of the gravity cup and not to the closure element. The latching device is designed in particular as a hollow collar which preferably extends perpendicularly to the area of the outside of the flow cup on which it is arranged and/or which protrudes in relation to the outside of the flow cup. In particular, the hollow collar is designed in one piece with the area of the outside of the flow cup on which it is arranged.

In the case of a more general implementation of the inventive idea, instead of the latching device, a device for holding the closure element at least in the closed position is generally provided, the closure element being held at least in the closed position by means of the device, for example in a positive and/or non-positive manner.

If the additional device according to the invention already fulfills one of the functions of centering, restraining or guiding, the functional reliability of the ventilation device is increased, since there is a (possibly only temporary) impairment of the other components, in particular the latching device or the sealing plug with regard to one of the functions guiding, restraining or centering can be compensated.

The additional device fulfills a guiding function if it also defines or controls the path of movement of the closure element between the closed position and the open position, at least in sections.

The closure element is preferably guided along a rectilinear path of movement between the closed position and the open position. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the closure element can also be guided along a curved path of movement or rotated, turned or tilted in order to convert it from the closed position to the open position and back.

The centering function is realized by the separate additional device if they is designed in such a way that it can return the closure element to a desired trajectory if it accidentally performs an incorrect movement. In this sense, the centering serves to align the closure element with respect to the cup-side components of the ventilation device. In particular, the centering causes the sealing plug to be aligned with respect to the ventilation opening.

The retention function refers to retention of the coating material contained in the gravity cup. In particular, it is a sealing function if the coating material can be retained almost completely.

In terms of the invention, not all three functions have to be performed by one and the same additional device. One device can also be provided for each of the functions, only two of the functions (ie two devices each with one function) or even only one device with only one of the three functions.

However, the additional device is preferably designed in such a way that it can operate all three functions (guidance, restraint, centering).

In the case of a particularly preferred embodiment, the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device is designed as a second flea collar on the outside of the gravity cup. The result is a construction of the centering, retaining and/or guiding device that is advantageous in terms of manufacturing technology and is robust.

Preferably, the second flea collar extends perpendicularly to the portion of the outside of the gravity cup on which it is located and/or protrudes from the outside of the gravity cup. In particular, the second flea collar is made in one piece with the area of the outside of the gravity cup on which it is arranged.

In particular, the second flea collar can be done by simple design means bring all three functions (guidance, restraint and centering) with them.

In particular, a centering chamfer on the outer opening of the second flea collar serves to center the closure element. The peripheral wall of the second flea collar serves to guide the closure element in that the closure element slides along the peripheral wall (inside or outside) during at least a portion of the closing and/or opening movement. Finally, circumferential contact of the closure element against the peripheral wall of the second flea collar (inside or outside), in particular in the closed position, can cause coating material to be retained.

The separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device is preferably arranged radially between the latching device, preferably designed as a first flea collar, and the ventilation opening on the outside of the gravity cup.

In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the closure element has a component which is separate from the closure plug, in particular at a distance from it, and which interacts with the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device. The sealing plug is one of the components whose functionality is particularly at risk due to damage, dirt or other impairments. In order for the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device to be able to have a compensating effect in the event of a functional impairment of the sealing plug, it is advantageous if it does not interact with the sealing plug but with a device separate from the sealing plug.

The separate component is preferably provided with latching means which interact with the latching means on the latching device (first flea collar) on the outside of the gravity cup.

Due to manufacturing advantages and a robust design, an embodiment is characterized in which the separate component in the form of a third Hollow collar is executed.

In the case of a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the closure plug protrudes axially in relation to the third hollow collar, which is arranged on the closure element. This ensures that the closure plug can still penetrate deep enough into the ventilation opening to seal the opening securely and tightly, even if the third hollow collar comes to rest on the outside of the gravity cup. The sealing plug particularly preferably protrudes by a distance in relation to the third hollow collar, which at least almost corresponds to the wall thickness of the flow cup in the area of the aeration device, whereby a sufficient end ring depth of the sealing plug in the aeration opening can be ensured and on the other hand it is prevented that the sealing plug gets inside the Gravity cup against the inner wall protrudes. A protruding stopper tip can interfere with the mixing of coating material in the flow cup and entails the risk that the stopper will be pushed outwards by a stirrer, so that the aeration device will be accidentally opened. Alternatively or additionally, a protruding plug tip can be prevented by the closure plug having a shoulder which, in cooperation with an edge of the ventilation opening, serves as an axial stop.

The functional reliability of the ventilation device is further increased by a fourth hollow collar being provided on the outside of the flow cup, which forms the edge of the ventilation opening, the fourth hollow collar being designed to center the sealing plug when the ventilation opening is closed. The outer opening of the fourth hollow collar is preferably provided with a centering chamfer for this purpose.

The fourth hollow collar preferably extends perpendicularly to the area of the outside of the flow cup on which it is arranged and/or protrudes in relation to the outside of the flow cup. In particular, the fourth hollow collar made in one piece with the area of the outside of the gravity cup on which it is arranged.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the interaction of the various components takes place in such a way that the closure element is guided during the movement between an open position and the closed position by an interaction of the first hollow collar on the outside of the fluid reservoir and the third hollow collar, which is arranged on the closure element, wherein the closure element can also be centered and/or guided at the end of the closing movement by the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device. In this way, the end section of the closing movement of the closure element, which is particularly relevant for functionally reliable closing of the ventilation device, is advantageously supported or secured by the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device.

Preferably meets the separate centering, restraint and / or

Guide device in the closed position of the closure element a sealing effect by a sealing system of the third hollow collar on the separate centering, retaining and / or guide device.

Tilting of the closure element is counteracted particularly effectively by arranging the end face of the third hollow collar in the closed position of the closure element in an annular space which is located between the latching device (first hollow collar) on the outside of the flow cup and the separate centering, retaining and/or or

Guide device is formed.

Handling advantages result in the case of a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment in which the closure element is designed in the shape of a cap with a cap plate from which the closure stopper and/or a (third) hollow collar protrude. The cap plate serves as an easily accessible control element.

Preferably, the cap-shaped closure element is designed such that it can also serve as a sealing cap for the material outlet of the flow cup.

Material is saved if the closure element is designed in the shape of a cap with a cap plate which is provided with a number of openings and/or which has a central hollow protuberance that forms the closure plug. The openings in the cap plate can also be advantageous for demoulding when the closure element is manufactured in an injection molding process

It goes without saying that the closure element of the ventilation device according to the invention does not have to have a single open position and a single closed position. In particular, the ventilation device can be designed in such a way that the closure element can be moved between two end positions, the ventilation device being closed in the first end position and being open in the second end position (maximum open position). In the intermediate positions of the closure element, the ventilation device can be closed or open, depending on the design. A further development of the invention is characterized by advantageously designed latching means, in which the third hollow collar, which is arranged on the closure element, is provided with first latching lugs on the outer circumference, which interact with the latching means on the latching device (first hollow collar) on the outside of the flow cup, in order to hold the closure element in the closed position and/or the third hollow collar is provided with second latching lugs on the outer circumference, which interact with the latching means on the latching device (first hollow collar) on the outside of the flow cup in order to keep the closure element captive in a maximum open position to hold a flow cup.

Likewise advantageous latching means are obtained in that the latching device designed as a first hollow collar is provided with a (circumferential or segmented) latching edge on the outside of the fluid reservoir in the region of its end face is provided for the closure element.

In the case of a particularly preferred variant, the flow cup has a material container and a cover that closes the material container in a fluid-tight and detachable manner.

The material outlet, which is designed in particular as an outlet socket, is preferably arranged on the material container and the ventilation device is arranged opposite on the cover.

Alternatively, the material outlet, which in turn can be designed in particular as an outlet nozzle, can be arranged on the cover and the ventilation device can be arranged opposite on the bottom of the material container. The flow cup is a consumable that is preferably (at least partially) made of plastic in an injection molding process. It is particularly advantageous here if the lid of the gravity cup and/or the material container of the gravity cup are made in one piece from plastic in a plastic injection molding process. The closure element is also preferably produced as a one-piece component in an injection molding process. The closure element can also be produced in an injection molding tool together with the lid or cup (e.g. connected via a film hinge). It is understood that individual additional components such. B. sieve elements, etc., do not have to be molded together with the lid or the material container, so that the lid or the material container can be regarded as manufactured in one piece. A common one-piece Fierposition is quite conceivable. The ventilation device is preferably arranged on the outside of a disc-shaped end wall which closes the material container at the end face, the end wall being provided with an indentation which extends evenly over the end wall. Thanks to the uniform curvature, the ventilation device protrudes axially less than the edge area of the closing wall, which reduces the space required by the material container. At the same time, the ventilation device is still freely accessible from the outside.

It goes without saying that the indentation is present in the basic state of the material container and not only when a force is applied to the end wall, e.g. B. by an internal pressure or the like

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the ventilation means comprises an off-centre ventilation opening through the domed end wall, which is offset towards the center of the end wall and is preferably greater than 5% less than 10% of the diameter of the end wall. In this way, the ventilation device is arranged at least almost centrally on the end wall, but due to the eccentric arrangement of the ventilation opening, the injection point can be chosen as exactly as possible in the middle when producing the end wall in an injection molding process.

A preferred exemplary embodiment is characterized by good accessibility of the corner region between the end base and a connected peripheral wall of the flow cup, in that the arched end wall adjoins the peripheral wall of the flow cup at an angle of greater than 90°.

The peripheral wall of the gravity cup is preferably widened conically, starting from the end face which is closed by the concave end wall. Thanks to the conical design, the component of the flow cup that is closed with the end wall can be stacked with other components of the same type, which enormously reduces the space required for the individual component during transport.

A variant is particularly preferred in which the conicity additionally results in the concave end wall adjoining the peripheral wall at an angle greater than 90°. However, the angle is preferably less than 95°.

In the case of a preferred variant, a peripheral edge is provided which projects outwards from the wall on which the ventilation device is arranged (preferably the domed end wall). The peripheral edge can serve to hold back any coating material that may escape via the ventilation device. Depending on the design of the gravity cup, the peripheral edge can also serve as a standing edge for the component of the gravity cup that is provided with the ventilation device.

The movable closure element of the ventilation device preferably projects backwards in relation to the peripheral edge in the closed position and/or protrudes in relation to the peripheral edge in the maximum open position.

The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments. The figures show:

1 shows a sectional view of a spray gun with a flow cup according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of the flow cup according to Figs. 1 and 9 in the area of the connection between the lid and the material container of the flow cup,

Figs. 3 to 5 partial sectional representations of the flow cup according to FIGS. 1 and 9 in the area of the ventilation system in three different states,

Figs. 6 and 7 a perspective and a side view of the closure element of the ventilation device of the gravity cup according to FIGS. 1 and 9, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the closure element of the ventilation device of the gravity cup according to FIGS. 1 and 9,

9 shows a sectional view of a flow cup according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Figs. 10 and 11 a perspective and a sectional view of the lid of the gravity cup according to FIG. 9, FIG. 12 a perspective view of the material container of the gravity cup according to FIG. 9 and Figs. 13 and 14 show a perspective view and a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the closure element of the ventilation device of the gravity cup according to FIGS. 1 and 9. FIG. 1 shows a hand-held spray gun 1 for the compressed air-assisted atomization and application of a free-flowing coating material. The spray gun 1 can be designed, for example, as a so-called high-pressure, compliant or HVLP spray gun 1 . The spray gun 1 has a cup connection 2 and a nozzle head 3 at which the coating material supplied to the spray gun 1 via the cup connection 2 is atomized and emerges in the form of a spray jet.

Furthermore, the spray gun 1 comprises a handle 4, a trigger guard 5 for actuating a material needle 10 arranged inside the spray gun 1, an adjustment mechanism 6 for the stroke of the material needle (material quantity regulation), an air pressure adjustment device 7 (micrometer), a round/broad jet adjustment device 8 and a compressed air connection 9. B. an atomization and transport air on the one hand and a horn air for a wide beam formation on the other hand.

A flow cup 11 is connected to the cup connection 2 of the spray gun 1 by means of a material outlet designed as an outlet socket 12 . The flow cup 11 has a material container 13 on the bottom 14 of which the outlet connector 12 is formed. Furthermore, the flow cup 11 comprises a screw cap 15 which closes the material container 13 and is provided with a ventilation device 16 . The ventilation device 16 enables pressure equalization when coating material flows out of the flow cup 11 via the outlet connection 12. Inside the material container 13 there is a sieve element 17 through which the coating material must pass before it can leave the material container 13 via the outlet connection 12. The outlet socket 12 is equipped with connection means in the manner of a bayonet lock, which comprise a clamping wedge element 18 protruding radially from the outlet socket 12 . The clamping wedge element 18 engages in a corresponding receiving groove 19 on the spray gun 1 . The outlet port 12 seals axially z. B. by means of its end face 20 on the cup connection 2 and/or radially with the aid of two circumferential radial sealing lips 21 (hardly visible in FIG. 1 due to the proportions, see also FIG. 10).

The gravity cup 11 according to FIG. 1 is designed as a standard gravity cup

The screw connection 22 between the screw cap 15 and the material container 13 is described in detail below with reference to FIG. The design of the screw connection 22 can be regarded as an independent subject matter of the invention, independently of the design of the ventilation device 16 . FIG. 2 shows an enlarged section of the flow cup 11 according to FIGS. 1 and 9 in the area of the connection point between screw cap 15 and material container 13.

The edge area of the material container 13 is provided with a roll-up 23 which is reinforced by means of a plurality of radial transverse ribs 28 . The transverse ribs 28 end almost conclusively with the outer edge of the roll-up 23. The roll-up 23 has an outer leg 24, a central connecting web

25 and an inner leg 26 on. The inner leg 26 transitions into a peripheral wall 27 of the material container 13 . 2 shows a section through a radial transverse rib 28 which is integral with the outer and inner leg 24,

26 and the middle connecting web 25 is formed. The dotted lines in FIG. Four threaded elements in the form of thread ridges 30 are provided on the outside of the outer leg 24 of the roll-up 23 . The thread ridges 30 are structurally identical to the thread ridges 30 shown in FIG. 12. FIG will be described in more detail later, but whose screw connection 22 is of identical design and is therefore also shown in FIG.

The edge area of the screw cap 15 has a receiving groove 31 which is also formed by an outer leg 32 , a central connecting web 33 and an inner leg 34 . In the closed state of the flow cup 11, the receiving groove 31 encompasses the rim 23 in the edge area of the material container 13. Inside the receiving groove 31, more precisely on the inside of the outer leg 32, four threaded ridges 36 are formed, which together with the threaded ridges 30 on the material container 13 multi-threaded screw connection 22 form. All four thread webs 36 begin approximately at the lower edge of the outer leg 32 and open into the middle connecting web 33 which forms the bottom of the receiving groove 31 . The thread webs 36 therefore partially overlap in the circumferential direction, but are axially offset from one another in the overlapping area. This can also be seen from FIG. 2, which shows two thread webs 36 lying axially one above the other and overlapping in the circumferential direction. This can be seen even more clearly in FIG. 11, which shows a sectional illustration through the screw cap 15 of the second exemplary embodiment, in which the screw connection 22, as already mentioned, is of identical design.

The fluid-tight seal between the screw cap 15 and the material container 13 is achieved by a circumferentially sealing, radial and axial contact inside the receiving groove 31. Specifically, the radial seal is provided between the outside of the inner leg 34 of the receiving groove 31 and the inside of the inner leg 26 of the roll-up 23 of the material container 13. The axial seal occurs between the top of the middle connecting web 33 of the roll-up 23 and the bottom of the middle connecting web 25 of the receiving groove 31.

In an exemplary embodiment that is not shown, analogously to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Inner leg 26 of the roll-up 23 of the material container 13, but instead of the additional axial seal, there is no sealing or a radial seal (and support) between the inside of the outer leg 32 of the receiving groove 31 and the outside of the outer leg 24 of the roll-up 23 of the material container 13. The second radial seal and, if necessary, support can preferably take place near the corner area at the transition from the outer leg 24 to the central connecting web 25 of the roll-up 23 .

As an example, three circumferential sealing ribs 41 are shown in FIG. 2, which are formed on the outside of the inner leg 34 of the receiving groove 31 and lead to a further strengthening of the sealing effect. In addition, the sealing effect is improved in that the inner diameter of the material container 13 in the upper edge area is selected in such a way that the material container 13 is spread open when the screw cap 15 is installed, at least in the area of the roll-up 23, and this results in a particularly strong and sustained radial compression between the screw cap 15 and material container 13 results.

It goes without saying that, as an alternative or in addition, further sealing ribs, lips, beads can also be formed at other points in order to increase the sealing effect. Alternatively, for example, only an axial or only a radial seal between the screw cap 15 and the material container 13 can take place.

A central area 42 of the screw cap 15 is designed as a continuation of the inner leg 34 of the receiving groove 31 . In Fig. 2 only an outer portion of the central portion 42 of the screw cap 15 is shown. In particular, the inner leg 34 is followed by a first ring section 43 of the central area 42 which extends at least almost perpendicularly to the receiving groove 31 . The ring section 43 is followed by a second ring section 44 of the central area 42 which runs at least almost parallel to the inner leg 34 in such a way that a compensating ring groove 45 is formed which is open in the opposite direction to the receiving groove 31 . By means of the compensating ring groove 45 z. B. Manufacturing tolerances of the components are compensated, in particular the functionality, strength and tightness of the screw connection 22 ensure. In addition, a desired support or rigidity of the inner leg 34 can be defined via the dimensioning of the compensating ring groove 45 .

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the central area 42 of the screw cap 15 in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. The structure of the ventilation device 16 is explained below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, which show the ventilation device 16 in three different states, and Figs. 6 and 7 explained in more detail.

The ventilation device 16 is designed as a plug-in valve. It comprises a movable cap-shaped closure element 51 with a cap plate 52 from which a flea collar 53 and a central hollow protuberance protrude. The hollow protuberance forms a hollow sealing plug 55 which protrudes axially in relation to the flea collar 53 by a distance which at least almost corresponds to the wall thickness of the flow cup 11 in the area of the aeration device 16 (see also FIG. 6). The sealing plug 55 is provided with a circumferential shoulder 56 from which in turn an almost cylindrical plug tip 57 protrudes. The flea collar 53 has first and second latching lugs 58, 59 which are axially offset relative to one another on the outer circumference. The first and second locking lugs 58, 59 are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, as a result of which air channels 60 are formed.

The structure of the closure element 51 is shown in particular in FIGS. 6 and 7, which show the closure element 51 in a side view and a perspective top view. The design of the closure element 51 can be regarded as an independent subject matter of the invention, independently of the design of the rest of the ventilation device 16 .

On the outside of the gravity cup 11, the ventilation device 16 has one ventilation opening 61 and three concentric to the ventilation opening 61 arranged hollow collar. The outer hollow collar 62 is provided on its open end face with an insertion chamfer 63 for the closure element 51 and a subsequent circumferential latching edge 64 . The middle hollow collar 65 forms a separate centering, retaining and guiding device. It is provided with a centering chamfer 66 on its outer circumference on its open end face. The inner hollow collar 67 forms the edge of the ventilation opening 61 and is provided with a centering chamfer 68 on its open end face.

The outer hollow collar 62 protrudes from the outside of the flow cup 11 by approximately three to four times the amount compared to the other two hollow collars 65, 67. The central hollow collar 65 protrudes from the inner hollow collar 67 approximately by the amount by which the closure plug 55 protrudes from the hollow collar 53 on the closure element 51 . To assemble the ventilation device 16 , the closure element 51 is inserted into the outer hollow collar 62 , which is facilitated by the insertion chamfer 63 . The closure element 51 can be separated from the flow cup 11 or z. B. via a tear-off tab, web, film hinge, etc. to the screw cap 15 or the material container 13 of the flow cup 11 and are made available to the user. The ventilation device 16 can also be pre-assembled in the factory and delivered to the user in working order.

In FIG. 3 the ventilation device 16 is shown in the maximum open position of the closure element 51 . The first latching lugs 58 on the hollow collar 53, which is arranged on the closure element 51, engage behind the circumferential latching edge 64 on the outer hollow collar 62 on the outside of the flow cup 11. The interaction of the first latching lugs 58 and the circumferential latching edge 64 means that the closure element 51 cannot be lost attached to the flow cup 11. The frictional connection between the hollow collars 53, 62 prevents the closure element 51 from moving downwards from the maximum open position in FIG. 3 without an external force device or solely by the effect of gravity. Specifically, the first latching lugs 58 are designed in such a way that they are pressed radially with the inner peripheral surface of the outer hollow collar 62 . But it is also conceivable that further locking means such. B. in the form of a second circumferential locking edge below the front locking edge 64, which counteract an undesirable slipping and tilting of the closure element 51.

In the maximum open position shown, there is a certain amount of play between the peripheral latching edge 64 on the outer hollow collar 62 and the outer peripheral surface of the hollow collar 53 , through which play air can enter the flow cup 11 . The flow path via which air from the outside gets into the interior of the gravity cup 11 in order to ensure pressure equalization when coating material leaves the material container 13 via the outlet nozzle 12 is sketched in FIG. 3 as a dashed arrow 69 . After the inflowing air has passed the play or the gap formed thereby at the latching edge 64 , it flows between the first latching lugs 58 through the air channels 60 and finally through the ventilation opening 61 into the interior of the flow cup 11 .

The constriction in the contact area of the outer hollow collar 62 and the hollow collar 53 has the advantage that even when the ventilation device 16 is in the open state, coating material is prevented from escaping if it sloshes or sprays out of the flow cup 11 through the ventilation opening 61 during the spraying process .

In addition, it is also conceivable that the peripheral locking edge 64 with many smaller openings, i. H. segmented, is designed so that the inflowing air can flow through these openings and not (only) through the gap formed by the play between locking edge 64 and the outer peripheral surface of hollow collar 53 . In this case, play between the locking edge 64 and the outer peripheral surface of the hollow collar 53 can also be completely dispensed with and the two components fit together at the point.

The closure element 51 and in particular the cap plate 52 protrude significantly beyond an outer peripheral edge 70 of the flow cup 11 . An exemplary configuration of the peripheral edge 70 can be seen in FIG. 1 . Thanks to the overhang, a user can clearly see when the ventilation device 16 is in the open state. In addition, when the gravity cup 11 is placed down on the peripheral edge 70 with the side equipped with the ventilation device 16 and a user has failed to close the ventilation device 16 beforehand, the closure element 51 is Gravity cup 11 is to be parked, automatically pushed towards the closed position. This prevents large quantities of the coating material from accidentally escaping. If he places the (still) empty flow cup 11 with the ventilation device 16 open on the peripheral edge 70, the flow cup 11 tilts back and forth due to the protruding cap plate 52, which advantageously draws the user's attention to the ventilation device 16 that is still open before he fills in the coating material .

In order to close the ventilation device 16 in the usual way, a user presses on the cap plate 52, as a result of which the closure element 51 moves downwards in a straight line until it initially assumes the intermediate position according to FIG. In the course of this first section of the closing movement, the closure element 51 is guided by the interaction of the two flea collars 53, 62. In particular, the closure element 51 is guided by the first latching lugs 58 sliding along the inner peripheral surface of the outer flea collar 62 .

In the intermediate position according to FIG. 4, the second latching lugs 59 meet the latching edge 64 on the outer flea collar 62. At least almost simultaneously, the end face of the flea collar 53 meets the centering chamfer 66 on the middle flea collar 65 and the plug tip 57 meets the centering chamfer 68 the inner flea collar 67. The meeting at the three different points results in a precise and functionally reliable centering of the closure element 51 and in particular of the closure plug 55 before the closure plug 55 penetrates into the ventilation opening 61 during the further closing movement. The last part of the closing movement follows, in which the closure element 51 is transferred from the intermediate position shown in FIG. 4 to the closed position shown in FIG. In this movement section, the closure element 51 is additionally guided by the interaction of the flea collar 53 and the central flea collar 65 . In particular, the inner peripheral surface of the flea collar 53 slides along the outer peripheral surface of the middle flea collar 65. This very delicate movement section results in a very robust and stable guidance of the closure element 51. In FIG. 5 the closure element 51 assumes the closed end position. The sealing plug 55 closes the ventilation opening 61. It rests against the inner peripheral surface of the opening 61 in a sealing manner. In this state, neither air can flow into the flow cup 11 via the ventilation device 16, nor can coating material escape from the flow cup 11 via the ventilation device 16.

Due to the fact that the end face of the flea collar 53 is arranged or enclosed in an annular space between the outer flea collar 62 and the middle flea collar 65, a type of labyrinth restraint device also results. In this way, in particular, coating material is held back that has gotten into the space between the inner and middle flea collars 67, 65 before the ventilation device 16 is closed, thus preventing it from getting out into the environment. In particular, the inner peripheral surface of the flea collar 53 can also lie tightly against the outer peripheral surface of the central flea collar 65 so that the escape of coating material is counteracted even more effectively. It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the shoulder 56 on the closure plug 55 rests on the end face of the inner flea collar 67 in the closed end position, which defines the axial position of the closure element 51 in the closed end position. The defined axial stop ensures that the closure plug 55 does not penetrate too far into the interior of the flow cup 11 and does not protrude inward relative to the end wall 71 .

Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 5 that the cap plate 52 now stands back from the peripheral edge 70 . The closure element 51 is held in a functionally reliable manner in the closed end position by the interaction of the second latching lugs 59 on the flea collar 53 and the circumferential latching edge 64 on the outer flea collar 62 . In order to open the ventilation device 16 again, a user can grip the closure element 51 on the cap disk 52 and pull it upwards back into the maximum open position according to FIG. 3 .

8 shows an alternative second embodiment of a closure element 51, which largely corresponds to the first embodiment, so that identical and similar components are given the same reference numbers. The second embodiment of the closure element 51 can also be regarded as an independent subject matter of the invention, independently of the embodiment of the rest of the ventilation device 16 . The second exemplary embodiment differs only in that the first and second latching lugs 58, 59 are arranged offset from one another not only axially but also in the circumferential direction. Each detent 58, 59 is assigned an overlying opening 72 in the cap plate 52. Thanks to these measures, the closure element 51 can be produced without forced demoulding using a simple two-part injection molding tool, the tool parts of which are brought together and apart along the longitudinal axis 73 of the closure plug 55 .

In the figs. 13 and 14 an alternative third embodiment of a closure element 51 is shown, which largely corresponds to the first and second embodiment, so that identical and similar components are denoted by the same reference numbers. The third embodiment of the closure element 51 can also be regarded as an independent subject matter of the invention, independently of the embodiment of the rest of the ventilation device 16 . The third The embodiment is characterized in comparison to the other embodiments in that six pocket-shaped recesses are formed by a wall thickness reduction in the circumferential direction between the six sections with the locking lugs 58, 59, which serve as air ducts 60 or lead to an enlargement of the air ducts 60 if the closure element 51 is arranged on the flow cup 11 in the maximum open position. Furthermore, the rigidity of the hollow collar 53 is specifically adjusted by the pocket-shaped recesses. The cap plate 52 of the closure element 51 has a plurality of openings 72 like the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. An opening 72 in the cap plate 52 is assigned to each detent 59 . Thanks to these measures, the latching lugs 59, which are particularly important for functionally reliable holding of the closure element 51 in the closed position, can be produced without forced demoulding and tool-related using a simple two-part injection mold, the tool parts of which are brought together and apart along the longitudinal axis 73 of the closure plug 55 will. The latching lugs 58, which are arranged offset only axially but not in the circumferential direction with respect to the latching lugs 59, are produced by forced demoulding. Four circular imprints are visible on the cap plate 52, which originate from the ejectors of the injection molding tool for producing the closure element 51.

It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 9 that the aeration device 16 is arranged on the outside of the end wall 71 of the flow cup 11, which is provided with an indentation which extends evenly over the end wall 71.

The point 74 of the concave end wall 71 , which protrudes furthest inward due to the concavity, has an offset of 1% to 4%, more precisely 2% to 3%, of the diameter of the end wall 71 in relation to the outer edge region of the end wall 71 . In the embodiment shown, the diameter is z. B. d = 84.6 mm and the offset z. B. V = 2.0 mm. A peripheral wall 75 of the flow cup 11 adjoins the arched end wall 71. The surrounding wall 75 is closed by the arched end wall 71. The peripheral wall 75 is conical to such an extent that the concave end wall 71 (despite the concavity) adjoins the peripheral wall 75 at an angle of greater than 90°. In the exemplary embodiments shown, there is an angle a of approximately 92°.

Due to the proportions in FIG. 1, this can hardly be seen. For a better understanding, reference is therefore made to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. The second embodiment is explained in more detail below.

The exemplary embodiment of a gravity cup 11 according to the invention shown in FIG. 9 and FIGS. 10 to 12 largely corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment, so that the same reference numbers are used for identical or similar components.

Overall, the gravity cup 11 according to the second embodiment is designed as an upside-down gravity cup.

The flow cup 11 also has a screw cap 15 and a material container 13 which can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of the screw cap 15 . In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the outlet socket 12 is arranged on the screw cap 15 and the ventilation device 16 is arranged on the bottom of the material container 13 . A sieve element receptacle 76 for a flat, disc-shaped sieve element (not shown) is provided in the screw cap 15, analogously to the sieve element 17 shown in FIG. As an alternative to a flat screen element, a cylindrical plug-in screen can be used, which can be fixed in the outlet socket 12 or in the cup connection 2 on the spray gun side. This also applies to the first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 to. The connection means, by means of which the outlet nozzle 12 can be mounted on a spray gun 1, correspond to the connection means on the outlet nozzle

12 of the first exemplary embodiment, so that reference is made to the corresponding passages in the description of the figures.

The screw connection 22, the aeration device 16 including the concave end wall 71 on which the aeration device 16 is arranged also correspond in structure and function to that of the first exemplary embodiment of a flow cup 11, so that reference is also made to the relevant passages.

Based on Figs. 9 to 12 it follows that the concave end wall 71 forms the bottom 14 of the cup-shaped material container 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the end wall 71 is produced in one piece with the peripheral wall 75 and the peripheral edge 70 of the material container 13 . Thanks to the conical design of the peripheral wall 75 of the material container 13 and the inward curvature of the end wall 71 forming the base 14, a plurality of material containers 13 can be stacked closely one inside the other. It can be seen from FIG. 9, which shows a sectional view of the entire flow cup 11, that the closure element 51 of the ventilation device 16 can also serve as a closure element 51 for the outlet connection piece 12. The same applies to the outlet connector 12 of the first exemplary embodiment. In Fig. 10, which shows a perspective top view of the screw cap 15 without the closure element 51 on the outlet socket 12, the compensating ring groove 45, which follows the receiving groove 31 in the screw cap 15, and the connection and sealing means on the outlet socket 12 are in the form of the clamping wedge element 18 and the radial sealing lips 21 are clearly visible.

The Figs. 11 and 12 serve in particular to form the threaded webs 30, 36 of the screw connection 22 between the screw cap 15 and the material container

13 to illustrate. As already explained, it is a multi-threaded Screw connection 22. Four threaded webs 30, 36 are formed on both the cover and the container side. The cover-side threaded ridges 36 are arranged in the receiving groove 31 and each run from the lower edge of the receiving groove 31 to the bottom of the receiving groove 31. The cover-side threaded ridges 36 therefore partially overlap in the circumferential direction. The container-side threaded webs 30, on the other hand, do not overlap in the circumferential direction.

The flow cups 11 according to the first and second exemplary embodiment are preferably made of plastic in a plastic injection molding process, with the screw cap 15 and the material container 13 being formed in one piece apart from the closure element 51 and the sieve elements 17 . In the case of an exemplary embodiment that is not shown, one or more closure elements 51 and/or one or more sieve elements 17 can also be produced in one piece with the screw cap 15 or the material container 13 . For example, they can be attached at any point by tear-off webs, tabs, film hinges, etc., which can be severed in order to assemble the elements elsewhere.

The material containers 13 are made of polypropylene (PP), for example, and the screw caps 15 are made of hard polyethylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP), for example. The closure element 51 is also made, for example, from hard polyethylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP).

The flow cups 11 according to the invention are preferably extremely thin-walled products. The wall thickness of the material container 13 is in the range from 0.55 mm to 0.65 mm, specifically around 0.60 mm, and the wall thickness of the screw cap 15 is in the range from 0.75 mm to 0.85 mm, specifically 0 .80mm. The only exceptions are accumulations of material at local locations, e.g. B. for the formation of thread flanks, latching and gripping edges or on Outlet connection, in particular for forming the clamping wedge element 18.

The screw cap 15 of the first exemplary embodiment and the material container 13 of the second exemplary embodiment are preferably produced in an injection molding process in which the injection point of the components is located as centrally as possible on the concave end wall 71 . In order to make this possible, the ventilation device 16 is arranged slightly off-centre. It is arranged with an offset of more than 5% but less than 10% of the diameter of the end wall 71 towards the middle of the end wall 71

In FIG. 3, the injection point 77, which also corresponds to the point 74 (FIGS. 1 and 9, maximum curvature), can be seen to the left of the ventilation opening 61 by means of a smaller accumulation of material. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the offset between the eccentric ventilation opening 61 and the central injection point 77 is 5.50 mm, which corresponds to 6.50% for a diameter of the end wall 71 of 84.6 mm.

The flow cup 11 according to the invention and the spray gun 1 equipped with it are suitable for atomizing and applying very different materials. A main area of application is car refinishing, in which top coat, filler and clear coat are used and which places very high demands on atomization and the properties of the spray jet. However, a large number of other materials can also be processed using the flow cup 11 and a possibly modified spray gun 1 . The decisive factor is that the materials are flowable and can be sprayed, at least to a certain extent.

Claims

Expectations

1. Flow cup (11) for a spray gun (1), which has a material outlet which is designed for direct and/or indirect connection to a spray gun (1), the flow cup (11) having a ventilation device (16) via which Air can flow into the gravity cup (11) in order to allow pressure equalization when coating material flows out of the gravity cup (11) via the material outlet, wherein the ventilation device (16) comprises a closure element (51) which, between at least one open position in which Air can flow into the gravity cup (11) and can be moved to a closed position in which no air can flow through the ventilation device (16) into the gravity cup (11), the closure element (51) having a closure plug (55) which is in the closed position of the closure element (51) closes a ventilation opening (61) in the flow cup (11), and being separate, in particular at a distance, from the ventilation opening (61) a latching device, in particular a hollow collar (62), preferably a first hollow collar (62), is provided, by means of which the closure element (51) can be held latching at least in the closed position, characterized in that on the outside of the flow cup (11) a device is provided separately, in particular at a distance from the ventilation opening (61) and from the latching device, which device interacts with the closure element (51) as a centering, retaining and/or guiding device.

2. Gravity cup (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device is designed as a hollow collar (65), in particular as a second hollow collar (65), on the outside of the flow cup (11).

3. flow cup (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separate centering, retaining and / or guiding device radially between the locking device and the Ventilation opening (61) is arranged on the outside of the flow cup (11).

4. Gravity cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (51) is a component separate from the closure plug (55), in particular spaced apart, preferably in the form of a flea collar (53), in particular in the form of a third flea collar (53), which interacts with the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device, the separate component preferably being provided with latching means which interact with the latching means on the latching device on the outside of the flow cup (11).

5. Gravity cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure plug (55) projects axially relative to a (third) flea collar (53) which is arranged on the closure element (51), preferably by a distance that corresponds at least almost to the wall thickness of the flow cup (11) in the area of the ventilation device (16).

6. Gravity cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing plug (55) has a shoulder (56) which, in cooperation with an edge of the ventilation opening (61), prevents the end face of the sealing plug (55) from in the closed position of the closure element (51) protrudes inwards relative to a gravity cup wall.

7. Flow cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the outside of the flow cup (11) there is a flea collar (67), in particular a fourth flea collar (67) which forms the edge of the ventilation opening (61), the flea collar (67) preferably being designed to center the closure plug (55) when the ventilation opening (61) is closed.

8. Gravity cup (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation device (16) is designed in such a way that the closure element (51) during the movement between an open position and the closed position by an interaction of the latching device on the outside of the flow cup (11) and a flea collar (53), in particular a third flea collar (53), which is arranged on the closure element (51), the

Closing element (51) can also be centered and/or guided at the end of the closing movement by the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device.

9. Gravity cup (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separate centering, retaining and/or guiding device in the closed position of the closure element (51) has a sealing effect through a sealing contact of a flea collar (53), in particular one third Flea collar (53), which is arranged on the closure element (51), on the separate centering, restraining and / or

guide device trains.

10. Gravity cup (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end face of a flea collar (53), in particular a third flea collar (53), which is arranged on the closure element (51), in the closed position of the closure element ( 51) is arranged in an annular space between the latching device on the outside of the flow cup (11) and the separate centering,

Retaining and / or guiding device is formed.

11. Gravity cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (51) is designed in the shape of a cap with a cap plate (52) from which the closure plug (55) and/or a flea collar (53), in particular a third flea collar (53), protrude.

12. Gravity cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (51) is designed in the shape of a cap with a cap plate (52) which is provided with several openings (72) and/or which has a central hollow protuberance, which forms the sealing plug (55).

13. Flow cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a Flea collar (53), in particular a third Flea collar (53), which is arranged on the closure element (51), is provided with first latching lugs (58) on the outer circumference who with the

Latching means on the latching device on the outside of the gravity cup (11) interact in order to hold the closure element (51) in the closed position and/or that a flee collar (53), in particular a third flee collar (53) attached to the closure element (51 ) is arranged, is provided on the outer circumference with second latching lugs (59) which interact with the latching means on the latching device on the outside of the flow cup (11) in order to hold the closure element (51) captively on the flow cup (11) in a maximum open position and/or that a flea collar (53), in particular a third flea collar (53), which is arranged on the closure element (51), is provided with pocket-shaped recesses on the outer circumference, which serve as ventilation channels (60) when the closure element (51) is arranged in a maximum open position on the flow cup (11).

14. Flow cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device designed as a fluff collar (62), in particular as a first fluff collar (62), on the outside of the flow cup (11) as a locking means for the closure element (51) in Area of its end face is provided with a locking edge (64) on the inner circumference.

15. Flow cup (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow cup (11) has a material container (13) and a material container (13) fluid-tight and releasably closing lid (15), wherein the material outlet is preferably arranged on the material container (13).

16. Gravity cup (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (51), a cover (15) of

Flow cup (11) and / or a material container (13) of the flow cup (11) are made in one piece from plastic in a plastic injection molding process.