EP4624187A1

EP4624187A1 - Washable water-based media art assembly

Info

Publication number: EP4624187A1
Application number: EP24202889.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: José VIEIRA
Original assignee: Viarco Industria De Lapis Lda
Current assignee: Viarco Industria De Lapis Lda
Priority date: 2024-03-25
Filing date: 2024-09-26
Publication date: 2025-10-01

Abstract

The present invention is enclosed in the area of painting and drawing equipment, in particular washable painting and drawing boards. The object of this invention is a washable water-based media art assembly (1) comprising an art board comprising a support frame (2) and a working surface (3) configured to receive at least one layer of a water-based painting media; and water collection means positioned adjacently to the working surface (3), being configured to capture water that runs off the working surface (3) by gravity; wherein the working surface (3) comprises at least one layer of ceramic steel material and the water-based painting media comprising 70% to 90% dry weight of pure pigment. This solution allows the removal of painting media by water without compromising the cleanliness of the surrounding space, which makes it possible to use a wide variety of water-based painting media to paint on the working surface (3) of the art board.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is enclosed in the area of painting and drawing equipment, in particular washable painting and drawing boards.

PRIOR ART

Erasable painting and drawing equipment are learning instruments widely used in the most diverse educational and professional contexts. This type of equipment comprises hard and smooth surfaces that can be written or painted on by several media that can be easily removed and allowing repeated use of the equipment.
The type of hard and smooth surface material can vary between rocks and ceramics, such as slate and porcelain, or even resins, and the writing or painting media must be adapted depending on the surface material, so that it can be easily removed and allow repeated use.
Currently, the cleaning of the surfaces of erasable painting and drawing equipment is preferably performed in a dry environment. This implies that the writing or painting media is adapted to the surface in such a way that it can be easily removed by dry agents such as textile erasers or paper. The so-called whiteboards comprise a surface that, when written on with special ink markers, allows it to be removed in a dry environment.
However, this compatibility between the surface and the ink of the writing or painting media limits the choice of writing or painting media to be used, since such media will have to have specific properties for it to be removed in a dry environment. In artistic terms, this limitation restricts the user's creative freedom, as they will only be able to write on the board with a reduced set of colors.
On the other hand, washing the surface in a humid environment with the use of water would allow greater freedom of choice of water-based media, and could also allow the surface to be used for drawing, painting and working with water-based painting media.
However, the use of running water for removing and transporting painting media is not ideal because the water runs off to the floor and surrounding space where the painting is placed, leaving traces of the painting media all over the surrounding space.
The present invention allows the cleaning of a painting surface using water while maintaining the integrity and cleanliness of the surrounding space. As a consequence, the present invention allows the use of diversified painting media that can be cleaned using running water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention consists of a washable water-based media art assembly (1) comprising:

an art board comprising a support frame (2) and a working surface (3) configured to receive at least one layer of a water-based painting media;
water collection means positioned adjacently to the working surface (3), being configured to capture water that runs off the working surface (3) by gravity;

In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the layer of ceramic steel material provides an ideal roughness for the water-based painting media, being less abrasive than paper but still having the required porosity to retain pigments. The ceramic steel material also allows the application of water-based painting media in its dry or wet form, being able to retain pigments in both scenarios. The low abrasiveness of the ceramic steel material facilitates the removal of the water-based painting media by water, without the use of other cleaning products, such as detergents or other kinds of solvents. In addition, the use of water-based painting media comprising a high concentration of pigment, between 70% and 90% dry weight, ensures an efficient transfer of pigment from the water-based painting media to the layer of ceramic steel material of the working surface (3) without wasting too much water-based painting media, thus extending the lifetime of the water-based painting media. The water-based painting media may comprise watercolor paints, gouache and other paints compatible with water-based solutions.
In another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the water collection means allow the use of running water to wash the working surface (3), so that the layers of water-based painting media deposited on the layer of ceramic steel material are removed by being carried away by the water. In addition, the location of the water collection means being adjacent to the working surface (3) of the art board allows the water used to wash the working surface (3) to drain by gravity and to be collected by the water collection means, which are preferably positioned at the adjacent lower limit of the working surface (3). The use of water collection means allows the use of an abundant amount of water without compromising the cleanliness of the surrounding space, which makes it possible to use a wide variety of water-based painting media to write or paint on the working surface (3) of the art board, making it possible to remove these materials using running water or a damp cloth.
In another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the texture of the working surface (3) allows a good wet recovery of pigments using running water, but also allows the recovery of pigments using dry or wet absorbable materials. These absorbable materials become impregnated with a high amount of pigment as they remove them from the working surface (3), therefore becoming tools to re-apply the recovered pigments in the working surface (3), which provides the user with a broad array of artistic options. The repeated re-use of the water-based painting media is possible due to the high concentration of pigment, between 70% and 90% dry weight, in which around 90% of the original concentration of the water-based painting media can be recovered in each wash cycle.
The present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described in this document, with various changes and combinations being possible that remain within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the washable water-based media art assembly (1), comprising an art board and water collection means. Water collection means are positioned on below the artboard, consisting of one drainage channel (4), a drainage tube (5) and a reservoir (6).
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a preferred embodiment of the washable water-based media art assembly (1), comprising an art board and water collection means. The drainage channel (4) covers the entire underside of the art board, allowing a full collection of the water used to wash the working surface (3) of said art board, as the water drains by gravity. The drainage tube (5) is positioned at one end of the drainage channel (4) in order to transfer to the reservoir (6), by gravity, the water used to wash the working surface (3) that is collected by the drainage channel (4), being said reservoir (6) located below the drainage channel (4) and drainage tube (5).
Figure 3 illustrates a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the washable water-based media art assembly (1), wherein the support structure of the art board is positioned behind the working surface (3), providing the necessary support for the working surface (3) and for the drainage channel (4).
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a portable embodiment of the washable water-based media art assembly (1) comprising a four drainage channels (4) located around the edges of the working surface (3) and embedded into the support frame (2).
Figure 5 illustrates a cross-section view of the portable embodiment of the washable water-based media art assembly (1), wherein the drainage channels (4) located around the edges of the working surface (3) are embedded into the support frame (2).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The more general and advantageous configurations of the present invention are described in the Summary of the Invention. Such configurations are detailed below in accordance with other advantageous and/or preferred embodiments of implementation of the present invention.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water collection means comprise at least one reservoir (6). The reservoir (6) is adapted to collect the water that flows during the washing of the working surface (3). Preferably, the reservoir (6) is removable thus facilitating the disposal of dirty water without compromising the cleanliness of the surrounding space.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water collection means comprise at least one drainage channel (4) and at least one drainage tube (5), wherein the drainage channel (4) and the at least one drainage tube (5) are configured to direct water towards the at least one reservoir (6).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the drainage channel (4) comprises a sloped surface, wherein the drainage tube (5) at the bottom end of said sloped surface. In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the water collected during the washing of the working surface (3) can flow from said end of the drainage channel (4) into the reservoir (6). The reservoir (6) is preferably located below the drainage channel (4) and drainage tube (5) so that the water can flow into the reservoir (6) by gravity.
In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the reservoir (6) allows the retrieval of the pigments of the water-based painting media removed from the working surface (3), which may be dried, reconstituted into a painting media using water and re-applied on the working surface (3), thus extending the life cycle of the water-based painting media. Since all pigments of the different colored water-based painting media are mixed in the reservoir (6), the recovered pigments may be reconstituted in a water-based painting media of the color resulting from the mixture of collected pigments, which can be re-applied to the working surface (3) to produce one-color artworks such as japanese sumi-e style paintings.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the sloped surface of the drainage channel (4) comprises a plurality of grooves, being the plurality of grooves oriented perpendicularly to the slope direction, to promote the decanting of the pigments as the washed water-based painting media flow along the drainage channel. This feature reduces the amount of pigment in the water collected by the reservoir and allows the deposited pigments in the grooves of the drainage channel (4) to dry and be re-applied in future applications.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the water collection means comprise a plurality of drainage channels (4), being said drainage channels (4) located around the edges of the working surface (3) and embedded into the support frame (2). In this embodiment of the present invention, the art board may comprise dimensions that allows said art board to be portable. Therefore, the positioning of a plurality of drainage channels (4) around the edges of the working surface (3), facilitates the collection of water used to wash the working surface (3) of the art board, regardless of the orientation of said art board, as the water can flow to any edge of the working and be collected in any drainage channel (4) embedded into the support frame (2).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the water collection means comprise at least one absorbable pad adapted to retain pigments from water-based painting media. Preferably, the absorbable pad is located within a drainage channel (4) so that most of the pigment of the water-based painting media washed from the working surface (3) of the artboard is retained by the absorbable pad as the water flows in the drainage channel (4). One advantageous aspect of the embodiment is that the absorbable pad, as it retains pigment during the washing of the working surface (3), becomes a source of pigment thus allowing the recycling of the retained pigment. Therefore, the user may re-hydrate the absorbable pad to collect the retained pigment and re-apply it on the working surface (3). In addition, the absorbable pad may be removable to facilitate the washing and removal of any retained pigment from the absorbable pad.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the art board comprises a plurality of quick-release fasteners configured to fix the working surface (3) to the support frame (2), so that the working surface (3) may be removable and replaced. This advantageous aspect of the present invention allows the user to choose to make the art performed in the working surface (3) a permanent installment, allowing the user to easily remove the working surface (3) and replace it with another working surface (3). The quick-release fasteners are preferably selected from the group of magnetic fasteners, clips, snap-on connectors, clamps, pins. The use of quick release fasteners also minimizes the damage done to the support frame (2) during removal and replacement of the working surface (3).
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises at least one brushing instrument configured to interact with the at least one layer of a water-based painting media over the working surface (3). Preferably, the brushing instrument comprises a body and a brushing tip, wherein the brushing tip comprises at least one material from the group of materials: rubber, wool, felt, synthetic fibers. The materials used in the brushing tip facilitate the control of the water-based painting media used in the working surface (3) of the art board, thus improving the artistic exploration of the user.
In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the brushing instrument allows the user to manipulate the pigments in several ways and in different stages of the art performance, either being a tool to apply wet water-based painting media onto the working surface (3), or being a dry tool to manipulate the pigments deposited on the working surface (3) to produce sfumato artworks.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the layer of ceramic steel material of the working surface (3) has a thickness of at least 3 mm and comprises a matte coating to reduce the glare and increase the opacity of the working surface (3). The matte coating also improves the aesthetic effect of the water-based painting media after drying, reducing the glow and glare of the working surface (3).
The support frame (2) is made of at least one rigid material, such as wood, MDF, plastic, cork or metal, preferably aluminum. These materials are resistant to water and are compatible with frequent wash cycles.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a support frame (2) made of recycled plastic.
Of course, the preferred embodiments shown above are combinable, in different possible configurations, being the present invention not limited to the embodiments previously described.

Claims

A washable water-based media art assembly (1) comprising:
- An art board comprising a support frame (2) and a working surface (3) configured to receive at least one layer of a water-based painting media;

- Water collection means positioned adjacently to the working surface (3), being configured to capture water that runs off the working surface (3) by gravity;
being the washable water-based media art assembly (1) characterized by the working surface (3) comprising at least one layer of ceramic steel material and the water-based painting media comprising 70% to 90% dry weight of pure pigment.
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to the previous claim, wherein the water collection means comprise at least one reservoir (6).
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to claim 2 wherein the water collection means comprise at least one drainage channel (4) and at least one drainage tube (5), wherein the at least one drainage channel (4) and the at least one drainage tube (5) are configured to direct water towards the at least one reservoir (6).
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to claim 3 wherein the at least one drainage channel (4) comprises a sloped surface, being the at least one drainage tube (5) positioned at the bottom end of said sloped surface.
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to claim 4 wherein the sloped surface comprises a plurality of grooves, being the plurality of grooves oriented perpendicularly to the slope direction.
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to claim 1 wherein the water collection means comprise a plurality of drainage channels (4), being said drainage channels (4) located around the working surface (3) and embedded into the support frame (2).
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to any of the previous claims wherein the water collection means comprise at least one absorbable pad, being the at least one absorbable pad adapted to retain pigments from water-based painting media.
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to claim 7 wherein the at least one absorbable pad is located within a drainage channel (4).
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to claims 7 and 8 wherein the at least one absorbable pad is removable.
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to any of the previous claims wherein the art board comprises a plurality of quick-release fasteners configured to fix the working surface (3) to the support frame (2).
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to claim 10 wherein the quick-release fasteners are selected from the group: magnetic fasteners, clips, snap-on connectors, clamps, pins.
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to any of the previous claims comprising at least one brushing instrument, being said at least one brushing instrument configured to interact with the at least one layer of a water-based painting media over the working surface (3).
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to claim 12 wherein the at least one brushing instrument comprises a body and a brushing tip, wherein the brushing tip comprises at least one material from the group of materials: rubber, wool, felt, synthetic fibers.
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to any of the previous claims wherein the at least one layer of ceramic steel material of the working surface (3) has a thickness of at least 3 mm.
A washable water-based media art assembly (1) according to any of the previous claims wherein the at least one layer of ceramic steel material of the working surface (3) comprises a matte coating.