GB2142386A

GB2142386A - Force driven fluid coating applicator for paint and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2142386A
Application number: GB08415921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Henry Knowles
Original assignee: KR ASS Inc
Current assignee: KR ASS Inc
Priority date: 1983-06-27
Filing date: 1984-06-21
Publication date: 1985-01-16
Also published as: GB8415921D0

Abstract

Fluid applicating system comprising a flexible fluid container 2, which is compressed by air pressure or by a spring loaded piston 19, and a flexible supply line 3 leading to an applicator. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Force driven fluid coating applicator for paint and the like Background Of The Invention Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying coating fluids and the like to a surface. More specifically the invention is in one important application concerned with a mechanical apparatus for delivering a quantity of paint, varnish, or other coating fluid to a surface by applying force to the external surface(s) of a fluid holding flexible-walled container and conveying the fluid from the container to a fluid applicator through a supply conduit.

Description of the Prior Art In the art of fluid deposition on surfaces it is well known to use a source of fluid and an applicator, such as a paint brush, that is repetitively immersed in the fluid to coat or "charge" the brush before application of the fluid to a surface. Such a situation occurs when using a bristle or cloth brush with a can of paint or varnish as well as when using a roller and tray. This method of applicator charging often provides either insufficient or excessive fluid to be captured by the fluid applicator, resulting in either a minimal surface coating per immersion of the applicator creating an inefficient fluid deposition operation, or running and dripping of the fluid during transfer from the applicator to the surfacc resulting in a non-unifform coated surface and additional clean-up requirements.

Additionally, since the fluid is exposed to atmospheric conditions, many fluids, such as paints and varnishes, may be prematurely cured or dryed in the fluid container resulting in wasted coating fluid.

The use of foam pads and foam brushes immersed in the fluid source reduces the wide variance of fluid deposition on the applicator during successive immersions. However, foam applicators alone do not remove the necessity for continuously withdrawing the fluid applicator from the surface being coated to be recharged with coating fluid. Often, as much work is performed in the charging of coating fluid to the applicator during immersion and the movement towards and away from the surface, as is performed by the actual operation of applying the coating fluid to the surface. Such a proportion of wasted work to total work needed to complete a project is inefficient. Additionally, the standard immersed foam applicator system also exposes the fluid to atmospheric conditions that may result in premature curing and drying of the coating fluid.

Additionally, fluid spray systems have been devised that substantially increase the atmosphere pressure within a container holding the coating fluid. A tube is then attached to the container and fluid is forced through the tube by the differential in pressure within and outside of the container, and into a nozzle for spraying on to a surface. These spray systems are normally heavy and expensive due to the need for a container that will contain substantially higher than atmospheric pressure and the necessary compressor equipment needed to achieve the desired pressure. Also, only a single type of surface (smooth) can be created since the nozzle is limited to using thin fluids sprayed as a mist or stream towards the surface to be coated.Additionally, after the fluid coating operation is completed, the container, tube and nozzle (and sometimes the compressor) must be disassembled and cleaned. This can often be a time consuming and messy operation and therefore increases the inefficiency of the total surface coating operation.

Finally, a system for fluid deposition has been devised that is similar to the pressurenozzle system above in that a fluid container is used to hold coating fluid under greater than atmospheric pressure while a tube delivers coating fluid to one of a number of applicators. These applicators are either a substantially cylindrical bristled brush, a roller or a foam pad. Such a system is described in a bulletin entitled "Paintmate Operators Manual" of Black 8 Decker, Cannon Lane, Maidenhead, Berks., England. As with the previously described pressure nozzle system, this fluid deposition system has numerous problems. Since substantial air pressure is needed to force the fluid out of the container and through the tube, a heavy and expensive container must be used to contain the pressure and fluid.Secondly, the compressed air or other pressurized gas that provides the force on the fluid is in constant contact with the fluid before and during the coating operation which permits fluid degradation. Since many coating fluids, such as paints and varnishes, dry upon prolonged contact with the air, the compressed air system disclosed above accelerates premature solidifying or curing of many coating fluids. Finally, this system must be meticulously cleaned after each coating operation, a complex and tedious chore, to keep the system in working order.

The present invention on the other hand provides a novel fluid deposition apparatus that will permit an efficient surface coating operation with a minimum of extraneous, wasted effort. Additionally, the present invention provides a novel apparatus that is inexpensive and light enough to be easily carried by the operator. The present invention also provides an apparatus that requires a minimum of post-operation clean-up and maintenance and reduces the exposure of the fluid during and prior to the coating operation to premature curing conditions.

Objects of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus that, as above stated, shall not be subject to the above described disadvantages and limitations but that, to the contrary, enables the operator to efficiently apply a coating fluid to a surface.

Another object is to provide an apparatus that will permit the use of numerous types of coating fluids without substantial modification of the apparatus.

A further object is to provide an apparatus that will permit the use of one of many surface coating applicators.

A further object is to provide an apparatus that requires a minimum of post-operative clean-up.

A further object is to provide a method and apparatus for applying a fluid to a surface that minimizes the exposure of the fluid, during and prior to the coating operation, to premature curing conditions, including to the action of pressure media such as compressed gas for forcing the fluid out of its container.

These and still further objects will become apparent hereinafter.

Summary of Invention From one of its important viewpoints the invention embraces, in summary, a fluid applicating system for paint and the like having, in combination, a flexiblewalled container for internally holding a supply of fluid, the container walls being adapted to permit force applied externally to the walls to be transmitted to the supply of fluid within the container; a fluid applicator adapted to apply fluid to a surface; and a supply conduit connected between the flexible container and the fluid applicator and adapted to direct fluid from within the flexible container to the fluid applicator when force is transmitted to the fluid through the flexible container walls. Preferred details and best mode embodiment features are hereinafter presented.

The invention will now be described in connection with the appended drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an elevated front view of a fluid applicating system constructed in accordance with a preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 1A is an elevated front view of a flexible fluid container with an attached supply conduit constructed in accordance with a preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevated side view of a rigid container and force producing system for the fluid container.

Fig. 2A is an elevated rear view of another form of rigid container and an attached force producing system for the fluid container.

Fig. 2B is an enlarged sectional view of a force control apparatus used with the force producing system shown in Fig. 2A.

Fig. 3 is an exploded side view of a housing container with another embodiement of a force producing system for the fluid container.

Fig. 4 is an elevated front plan view of a brush type fluid applicator.

Fig. 4A is an elevated front plan view of another form of brush type fluid applicator.

Fig. 5 is an elevated side view of a supply tube adapter for use within the fluid applicators shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7.

Fig. 5A is an elevated side view of a supply tube section for use in supplying coating fluid to the fluid applicators shown in Figs. 4A and 6A.

Fig. 5B is an exploded view of a portion of the supply tube section shown in Fig. 5A.

Fig. 6 is an elevated side plan view of the brushtype fluid applicator shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6A is an elevated side plan view of the brush type fluid applicator shown in Fig. 4A.

Fig. 7 is a front perspective plan view of a roller type fluid applicator.

Fig. 7A is an elevated front plan view of another form of roller type fluid applicator.

Fig. 7B is an exploded view of the fluid supply apparatus of the roller type fluid applicators shown in Fig. 7A.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The label 1 in Fig. 1 designates a fluid applicating system for applying a coating fluid to a surface, constructed in accordance with the invention. The fluid applicating system has a flexible-walled container, such as a plastic fluid bag 2; a supply conduit, such as a plastic tube 3, fluidly connected to the bag 2; and a fluid applicator A, such as a brush 4, that is fluidly connected to the tube 3. The plastic tube 3 may alternatively by fluidly connected to an applicator insert portion 1, as shown in Fig. IA, which is connected to the fluid applicator A in a manner described in detail later. The plastic tube 3 may be connected to one portion of the plastic fluid bag 2, as shown in Fig. 1, or may extend substantially through the interior of the fluid bag 2, as shown in Fig. 1A. In either form, the plastic tube 3 is connected to the fluid bag 2 in a manner to allow fluid from within the fluid bag 2 to be conducted out of the fluid bag 2 and to the fluid applicator A by the plastic tube 3, to charge the fluid applicator A with coating fluid.

The flexible container may be of any form of collapsable container, such as a plastic or cardboard carton or a rigid cylindrical or square container with an end portion or wall that can be pushed into the interior of the container to reduce the interior volume of the container without loosing its fluid tight seal.

Therefore, the term "flexible container" used herein refers to any fluid holding container that can be made to reduce its interior vol ume, as by external pressure upon its walls, without rupturing the container or otherwise compromising the fluid containing integrity of the container.

The supply conduit may be any suitable flexible, rigid, jointed, or compound tubular system sufficient to direct fluid from the flexi ble container to the fluid applicator when force is transmitted to the fluid. The applicator may be of any form needed to apply fluid in a desired manner to a surface. Some examples of acceptable fluid applicators include: bristled brushes, foam brushes, foam pads, spray nozzles and surface coating rollers; of which the first and last examples are discussed in greater detail below.

The coating fluid may be one of a number of different types, including fluids within a wide range of temperatures, specific densities and viscosities. The coating fluids may also contain quantities of small solid particles in mixture or suspension. Some examples of fluids that can be used with this invention are: emulsions acrylics vinyls and similar water based paints, wallpaper pastes, wood preser vatives and stains. The type of fluid being applied, as well as the desired surface coating consistancy and the characteristics of the sur face to be coated will primarily determine the type of fluid appicator that will be used.

Choice of applicators to satisfy coating re quirements are determined in the normal man ner of the coating surface art.

Returning now to the drawings, the label 5 in Fig. 2 designates a pressure or force gener ating system for externally exerting force on the flexible container 2 to drive fluid that is within the flexible container 2 through the plastic tube 3 to supply the fluid applicator A.

The force generating system 5 has a rigid housing container 6 with a threaded portion 7 adapted to provide a substantially air tight seal when suitably connected or secured to the threaded portion (not shown) of a housing container cap 8. The housing container cap 8 has an aperture 0 to permit the plastic tube 3, that is fluidly connected to the plastic bag 2, to extend out of the housing container 6 when the cap 8 is secured to the container 6. The housing container cap 8 is provided with an air seal gasket such as a rubber gasket 9, within the aperture 0, adapted to contact the plastic tube 3 and aid in the creation of an air tight enclosure within the housing container 6 and the plastic tube 3 is extending through the aperture 0.

Attached to the housing container cap 8 is a pressure control system such as an air pump 10. The air pump 10 is of standard construc I tion and includes a cylindrical housing 11 connected to the housing container cap 8 as shown in Fig. 2 or connected to the housing container 6 as shown in Fig. 2A, an internal reciprocating piston (not shown) and a piston driving rod 12. The air pump 10 is connected to the housing container cap 8 or the housing container 6 in such a manner as to allow compressed air that is generated by mechanical action in the air pump 10 to pass from the air pump 10 through the housing container cap 8 or the wall of the housing container 6 and into the air tight interior of the housing container 6.

The air pump 10 may be of any form necessary to increase the air pressure within the housing container 6. Such devices as: air pumps, air compressors or compressed air bottles and cylinders with air release fittings are acceptable.

In operation, a fluid filled plastic bag 2 is shaken, rolled or kneaded (if required, to ensure complete mixing of the coating fluid) and then inserted into the housing container 6 with the plastic tube 3 fluidly connecting to the plastic bag 2. The housing container cap 8 is then screwed on to the housing container 6 with the plastic tube 3 extending through the aperture 0, engaging the rubber gasket 9 and extending through the housing container cap 8. An optional threaded locking nut N may be secured, as by a threaded portionn as shown in Fig. 2A, to the housing container cap 8 to compress the rubber gasket 9 and insure an airtight seal around the plastic tube 3. With the housing container cap 8 securely attached to the housing container 6 an air tight enclosure is formed within the housing container 6 and around the enclosed fluidfilled plastic bag 2.When pressurized air is inserted into the air tight enclosure by the air pump 10 the air pressure within the housing container 6 is increased causing pressure to be externally exerted on the wall surfaces of the fluid-filled plastic bag 2 that is enclosed.

As the air pressure is increased within the housing container 6, the plastic bag 2 tends to collapse, forcing fluid within the plastic bag 2 into the plastic tube 3 which supplies the fluid applicator A.

Fig. 2B shows an enlarged and detailed sectional view of the air pump 10 and supporting apparatus shown in Fig. 2A. The air pump 10 is provided with a pressure control mechanism for limiting the amount of internal pressure within the housing container 6. The pressure control mechanism includes an air pressure sensor, such as ribbed rubber balloon B, which is securely mounted over an aperture or slot S, in a wall of the housing container 6. As air pressure is increased within the housing container 6, by reciprocating the piston in the air pump 10, the rubber balloon B receives higher pressure from within the housing container 6, and the balloon B expands.

As the balloon B expands it exerts pressure on a lever arm L, which is in contact with the balloon B, proportional to the atmospheric pressure within the housing container 6.

When a preselected threshhold atmospheric pressure is reched within the housing container 6, the balloon B expands sufficiently to displace a portion of the lever arm L away from the housing container 6. Since the lever arm L is conected, at a fulcrum point F, to the housing container 6, a thin portion of the lever arm L, such as pin portion P, located on the opposite side of the fulcrum point F from the balloon B, is forced into contact with the piston driving rod 1 2 of the air pump 1 0.

The piston driving rod 1 2 is adapted with a slot S2 extending through the piston driving rod 12, and of a sufficient size and shape to permit the pin portion P of the lever arm L to enter the slot S2, and a sufficiently small dimension along the length of the piston rod 1 2 to inhibit the reciprocal movement of the piston driving rod 1 2 when the pin portion P is inserted in to the slot S2 Therefore, when the air pressure in the housing container 6 is increased above a preselected threshold, the balloon B expands and displaces a portion of the lever arm L away from the housing container 6 and, due to the lever action about fulcrum point F, causes the pin portion P of the lever arm L to enter the slot S2 of the piston rod 12, thus inhibiting the reciprocating motion of the piston driving rod 1 2 and stopping the ability of the operator to increase the internal pressure within the housing container 6.

The housing container 6 may also be adapted with one or more devices for carrying or transporting the fluid applicating system 1.

Such devices as belt clips C and handle H, both shown as attached to the housing container 6 in Fig. 2A, are acceptable. Any carrying device for the fluid applicating system must be designed so as not to interfere with the continuous operation of the fluid applicating system 1 or the insertion and removal of the fluid bag 2 from the housing container 6. This may be accomplished, as shown in Fig. 2A, by mounting the belt clips C on the side of the housing container 6 and mounting the handle H to the housing container 6 with rivits R to allow the handle H to be folded away from the top of the housing container 6.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown another pressure or force generating system 1 3 for imparting force upon the walls of a fluid-filled flexible container, such as plastic bag 2, to drive fluid out of the flexible container and into a supply conduit, such as plastic tube 3. The force generating system 1 3 has a rigid housing container 14 with a threaded portion 1 5 adapted to engage the threaded portion (not shown) of the housing container cap 1 6. The housing container cap 1 6 is provided with a coil spring 18 that connects to a pressure plate 1 9.

In operation, the fluid-filled plastic bag 2 is inserted into the housing container 14 with the plastic tube 3 fluidly connecting to the plastic bag 2 and extending out of the housing container 14 was previously described.

The housing container cap 1 6 is screwed onto the housing container 14 with the pressure plate 1 9 in contact with the plastic bag 2 and the coil spring 1 8 compressed between the pressure plate 1 9 and the housing container cap 1 6. The coil spring 1 8 causes compressive force to be exerted on the plastic bag 2.

by the pressure plate 19, causing the plastic bag 2 to tend to collapse. The collapsing of the plastic bag 2 forces fluid out of the plastic bag 2 and into the plastic tube 3 in order to supply the fluid applicator A.

Other methods of exerting force on the fluid in the flexible container are envisioned. Such methods include suspending the flexible container with the supply conduit extending downward and allowing gravity to force fluid from the flexible container into the supply conduit. Another envisioned force generating system requires the fluid applicating system operator to apply compressive force on the flexible container with a portion of his body to force fluid from the flexible container into the supply conduit. Such a system would exist if the flexible container was suspended between the arm and chest of the operator and compressive force were applied between the arm and chest of the operator.

Figs. 4 and 6 are two views of a bristled brush fluid applicator designated by the number 20. The brush 20 has a body 21 and bristles 22 connected to the body 21 by a holding band 23. The brush 20 also has a hand grip 24 connected to the body 21 with a cylindrical hole 25 extending through the hand grip 24 and body 21 of the brush 20.

The cylindrical hole 25 is adapted with a threaded portion 26 and a stop point 27, where the cylindrical hole 25 is narrower than the greatest radius of the threaded portion 2? The cylindrical hole 25 therefore extends entirely through the hand grip 24 and body 2' and is adjacent to the bristles 22 of the brush 20.

The bristled brush fluid applicator 20 is also adapted with a fluid release system generally designated by the number 28. The fluid release system 28 has a fluid release trigger 29 and a return mechanism, such as a coil spring 30. A more detailed description of the fluid release system 28 and its operation will be described hereinafter.

The bristled brush fluid applicator 20 is designed to be used with an insert tube I generally designated by the number 31. The insert tube 31 is a primarily rigid plastic tube 32 which is concentrically attached to a flexible portion 35, such as a very thin soft plastic sleeve.

In operation, the insert tube 31 is advanced into the cylindrical hole 25 of the bristled brush 20 as shown in Fig. 6. A threaded portion 33 of the insert tube 31 mechanically contacts the threaded portion 26 of the cylindrical hole 25 and the insert tube 31 is screwed into the cylindrical hole 25 until the threaded portion 33 contacts the stop point 27 of the cylindrical hole 25 and can be advanced no further. At this point the flexible portion 35 of the insert tube 31 extends through the lower portion of the brush body 21 and into the bristles 22, as shown in Fig.

6.

The insert tube 31 has an adapter, such as a nipple 34, which is adapted to insert into and hold the plastic tube 3 in such a manner as to allow fluid in the plastic tube 3 to enter the insert tube 31 during operation of the fluid applicating system 1. Coating fluid enters the insert tube 31 from the plastic tube 3 and is conducted towards the bristles 22 of the brush 20 by the insert tube 31 to facili-tate the fluid coating operation.

Coating fluid in the insert tube 32 can be prevented from reaching the bristles 22 of the brush 20 by the fluid release system 28, as mentioned above. When no pressure is placed on the fluid release trigger 29, the coil spring 30 holds the trigger 29 away from the body 21 of the brush 20 and forces a rigid gate member 36 against the flexible portion 35 of the insert tube 31. The coil spring 30 has sufficient force to compress and collapse a portion of the flexible portion 35 of the insert tube 31, preventing coating fluid from passing through the collapsed portion of the insert tube 31 and into the bristles 22.

In standard operation, constant force is exerted on the flexible plastic fluid bag 2 by one of a number of force generating systems as noted above. The fluid release system 28 controls the amount of coating fluid that is actually supplied to the bristles 22 of the brush 20. By depressing the fluid release trigger 29 the gate member 36 is proportionally relaxed from clamping engagement with the flexible portion 35 of the insert tube 32 allowing a proportionally greater flow of coating fluid to be delivered to the bristles 22 of the brush 20.

An alternative insert system I' can be used with the brush type fluid applicating device, as shown in Figs. 4A, 5A, 6A and are similar to the Figs. 4, 5, and 6 with like numerals designating like parts. Additionally, a different form of fluid release system 28 is shown.

The fluid release system 28 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 4A and 6A has a fluid release trigger 29 connected to a rigid gate member 36 at a fulcrum point 46, such as the coil spring 30, as shown in Fig. 6A. The coil spring 30 also provides a return force to the fluid release system 28 tending to keep the fluid release trigger at a position furthest from the body 21 of the brush 20. A threaded shaft 47 is secured to the body 21 of the brush 20 and extends through an aperture (not shown) in the fluid release trigger 29. A threaded nut 48 is then screwed on to the threaded shaft 47 such that advancement of the nut 48 along the shaft 47 exerts a preselected and continuous force on the fluid release trigger 29 which allows a preselected continuous flow of fluid to be supplied to the bristles 22 of the brush 20 as will be described in detail hereinafter.

Additionally, as shown in Fig. 5A, the applicator insert portion I is of a differenct arrangement than that shown in Fig. 5. The insert portion I in Fig. 5A, which is generally designated by the number 50, includes a portion of the plastic supply tube 3 connected to a hollow, tapered flexible plastic portion 51 by a rigid hollow cylindrical connector 52, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, such that fluid can flow from the interior cylindrical cavity 57 of the plastic tube 3 through the interior cylindrical cavity 58 of the cylindrical connecter 52 and into the hollow flexible plastic portion 51.

The cylindrical connector 52 is frictionally or adhesively and concentrically connected to the tapered plastic portion 51 of the plastic supply tube 3 and, due to the outer diameter of the cylindrical connector 52, enlarges the outer diameter of the plastic tube 3 to form a wide portion 53. The insert system 50 may also be adapted with a protective cover 52 that frictionally engages and protects the tapered flexible plastic portion 51.

In standard operation the insert system 50 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 25 of the brush 20 until the wide portion 53 of the plastic tube 3 abuts the edges of a narrow portion 49 of the cylindrical hole 25, as seen in Fig. 6A. At this point, the flexible plastic portion 51 and its protective cover 52 protrude from the cylindrical hole 25 and are surrounded by the bristles 22 of the brush 20. The insert system 50 may be secured in this position by a threaded nut 54, with a threaded portion 55, and a rubber washer 56, both of which are mounted concentrically and surrounding a portion of the plastic tube 3, as shown in Fig. 5A.The threaded portion 55 of the threaded nut 54 is engaged with, and advanced along the threaded portion 26 of the cylindrical hole 25 until the rubber washer 56 is sufficiently compressed against the stop point 27 of the threaded portion 26 to provide the desired frictional engagement with the plastic tube 3 to rigidly hold the insert system 50 in the brush 20. With the insert system rigidly held in the brush 20, the protective cover 52 can be removed and the flexible plastic portion 51 can be opened to allow fluid to be delivered to the bristles 22 of the brush 20.

In a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 6, a portion of the alternative insert system 1', as shown in Fig. 6A, can be compressed to limit or stop the flow of fluid from the plastic bag 2 through the plastic tube 2 and in to the applicator A. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 4A an 6A this compression is accomplished by the force of the spring 30 which forces the fluid release trigger 29 away from the body 21 of the brush 20 and forces the rigid gate member 36 against a porion of the plastic tube 3 in order to collapse the plastic tube 3 and inhibit fluid flow through the tube 3 to the bristles 22 of the brush 20.To permit fluid to pass from the plastic tube 3 to the bristles 22 the fluid release trigger 29 must be forced closer to the body 21 of the brush 20, which may be accomplished by advancing the threaded nut 48 along the threaded shaft 47, as described previously.

Therefore, when the fluid release trigger 29 is forced closer to the body 21 of the brush 20, leverage across the pivot point 46 causes the rigid gate member to release compression on the plastic tube 3 and allow fluid to flow through the plastic tube 3 to the bristles 22 at a rate directly proportional to the displacement of the fluid release trigger 29 towards the body 21 of the brush 20.

Referring now to Fig. 7 the label 37 designates a surface coating roller applicator. The roller 37 has a handgrip 38 with a cylindrical hole 25 adapted to receive an insert tube, such as I. The hand grip 38 of the roller 37 is connected to a hollow, rigid roller tube 39 in such a manner to allow coating fluid to pass from the plastic tube 3 (not shown) through an insert tube I or 1' (not shown) and into the roller tube 39.

Surrounding a portion of the roller tube 39 is an end cap 40, with a fluid sealing gasket 41, that aligns the transverse placement of the roller body 42. The roller body 42 has a fluid window 43 with apertures 44 for distributing coating fluid from the roller tube 39 to the inside surface of a roller sleeve 45, shown partially cut away in Fig. 7.

The roller sleeve 45 may be constructed of a pourous or coating fluid absorbing material (such as a sponge, plastic foam, or mohair) to facilitate the transfer of fluid from the inner surface (supply side) of the roller sleeve 45, to the outter surface (application side) of the roller sleeve 45. The roller 37 is then used in the accepted manner to apply the coating fluid to a surface.

The roller coater 37 may also be adapted with a fluid release system such as those shown in Figs. 6 and 6A. In such an arrangement, the coating fluid delivered to the roller 37 is conducted through the cylindrical hole 25 in the hand grip 38 by an insert tube (not shown) and is passed from the insert tube into the roller tube 39. From the roller tube 39 the coating fluid is passed through apertures 44 in the fluid window 43 where it is absorbed and transmitted from the inside of the roller sleeve 45 to the outside of the roller sleeve 45. Surface coating is then accomplished in the customary manner of using a surface coating roller applicator.

An alternative roller coater applicator, shown in Fig. 7A, is generally designated by the number 59. The roller coater 59 has a hand grip 38 with a cylindrical hole 25 extending longitudinally through and adapted to receive on insert system I (not shown) or a portion of the plastic supply tube 3. as shown in Fig. 7B, to provide a supply conduit for fluid to the applicating portion of the roller coater 59. The roller coater 59 may also be adapted with the fluid release system (not shown) in a manner similar to the adaptation of the roller coater 37 discussed previously.

The roller coater 59 has a rigid roller support, such as a metal supporting bar 60, which is securely attached to the hand grip 38 by a screw 62. The metal supporting bar 60 is adapted in such a way as to provide an axle X for a roller body 63 which is designed to support a roller sleeve 65. The roller body 63 is kept from transverse movement along the axle portion X of the metal supporting bar 60 by a first ring member 64 and a second ring member (not shown) which are securely attached to the periphery and near the ends of the axle portion X of the metal supporting bar 60, with an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the hole in the roller body 63 that receives the axle portion X of the metal supporting bar 60.

The hand grip 38 also supports a fluid delivery tube 66 mounted in a fluid connecting relationship with an insert system I (not shown) or an enlarged portion 53 of the plastic supply tube 3, as shown in Fig. 7B.

The fluid delivery tube 66 is connected to the metal supporting bar 60 by an end clamp 67 which is secured to the supporting bar 60 by a screw 68. By this arrangement, the fluid delivery tube 66 is rigidly supported adjacent to roller sleeve 65 that is mounted on the roller body 63.

Mounted on the fluid delivery tube 66 are plurality of hollow cylindrical rolls 69 which frictionally engage the roller sleeve 65. The rolls 69 are secured from transverse slippage on the delivery tube 66 by an end plug 71 which is adapted to insert into one end of an internal cavity 75 of the delivery tube 66 while a portion of the end plug 71 extends out of the delivery tube 66 and extends radially outward in a radius greater than the internal radius of the hollow cylindrical rolls 69. The rolls 69 are adapted to form a plurality of interstices or spaces 70 between each pair of rolls 69, to allow coating fluid that is supplied from the interior 57 of the plastic supply tube 3, and in to the internal cavity 75 of the delivery tube 66, and out of a plurality of holes 76 in the delivery tube 66 that connect to the internal cavity 75, to surround a portion of the rolls 69.

Coating fluid is restrained from escaping from the delivery tube 66, except through the holes 76, by an end plug 71, as stated previously, and by a plug portion 73 of the end clamp 67. The end clamp 67 is also provided with an extended sleeve 74 that surrounds and rigidly holds the end portion 72 of-the delivery tube 66.

In operation, fluid enters the internal cavity 75 of the delivery tube 66 from the interior 57 of the plastic supply tube 3 and fills the internal cavity 75. The end plug 71 and plug portion 73 of the end clamp 67 block fluid flow from the ends of the delivery tube 66 so fluid is forced through the holes 76 and into the spaces 70 between the rolls 69. The fluid in the spaces 70 contacts the roller sleeve 65 and the rolls 69 and, during the rolling motion of-the roller sleeve 65 during the coating operation, the rolls 69 distribute the fluid over substantially the entire surface of the roller sleeve 65.Additionally, since the roller coater 59 suplies fluid to the surface of the roller sleeve 65, as opposed to the method of supplying the roller coater 37 previously explained, any normal types of materials may be used for the roller sleeve 65 without the need for the completely pourous or absorbent type of material needed in the roller coater 37.

Other forms of fluid applicators can be used. Such examples include foam brushes, foam pads and spray nozzles. In each case the fluid applicator A fluidly connects to the supply conduit to allow coating fluid to be automatically delivered to the fluid applicator A.

In the preferred mode of operation, all conduits and containers for the coating fluid are sealed against undue exposure to air, light, and other conditions which might prematurely cure or dry the coating fluid. In this regard, coating fluid is the fluid that is undergoing the process of being applied to a surface, including storage prior to use. Therefore, the sealed containers and conduits minimize exposure of the coating fluid within the system that includes a partially filled flexible container that is stored between uses, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the coating fluid.

The provision of a flexible fluid container, supply conduit and insert tube supply line through the fluid applicators allows also for the easy disposal of most of the fluid contacting portions of the fluid applicating system.

Since the disposable items are easily manufactured and relatively inexpensive, the disposal would remove the necessity of substantial clean-up without undue cost, and the only necessary cleaning operation would be for the fluid applicator portions beyond the range of the insert tube (bristles, pads, roller sleeves) to be cleaned or disposed of, as desired. Such a situation substantially reduces the quantity of post-coating operation work that needs to be performed.

Additionally, since the apparatus generally used in this system is relatively compact and light, it may be carried or mounted on the operator by any reasonable means. Such means would include: handles, belt clips, harnesses or belt devices, some of which are discussed previously. By providing a method and apparatus for delivering a desired quantity of coating fluid to an applicator without repetitive wasted re-supplying operations, and providing a rapid and easy post-operative clean-up process the operation of coating a surface is made substantially more efficient.

While the invention has been explained in connection with a preferred construction and mode of operation, modifications will occur to those skilled in this art and such are considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the apended claims.

Claims

1. A fluid applicating system for paint and the like having, in combination, a flexiblewalled container for internally holding a supply of fluid, the container walls being adapted to permit force applied externally to the walls to be transmitted to the supply of fluid within the container; a fluid applicator adapted to apply fluid to a surface; and a supply conduit connected between the flexible container and the fluid applicator and adapted to direct fluid from within the flexible container to the fluid applicator when force is transmitted to the fluid through the flexible container walls.

2. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1, which includes a control means to control the rate of fluid flow from the flexible container to the fluid applicator while force is being transmitted to the fluid.

3. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 2, and in which the control means is adapted to block the flow of fluid along the supply conduit.

4. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1, and in which the supply conduit is a flexible tube.

5. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1, and in which a portion of the supply conduit is rigidly secured to the fluid applicator.

6. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1, and in which the fluid applicator contains a conduit, attached to the supply conduit, adapted to direct fluid supplied to the fluid applicator towards a surface to be coated.

7. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1, which includes force generating means acting externally upon the container walls for driving fluid from within the flexible container into the supply conduit.

8. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 7, and in which the force generating system means includes an air tight housing container substantially surrounding the flexible container and pressure means for increasing the pressure within the housing container external to the flexible container.

9 A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 8, and in which the pressure means is an air compression pump.

10. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 7, and in which the force generating means includes a housing container, substantially surrounding the flexible container, and compression means for forcing a portion of the flexible container towards an interior surface of the housing container.

11. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 10, and in which the compression means includes a driven piston.

1 2. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 11, and in which the piston is driven by a compressed spring.

1 3. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1, and in which the fluid applicator is a bristled brush.

14. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1, and in which the fluid applicator is a surface coating roller applicator.

1 5. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1, and in which the fluid applicator is a porous pad.

16. A fluid applicating system having, in combination, a flexible-walled container for holding a supply of fluid and adapted to permit force to be transmitted from the outside surf ace of the flexible container to the supply of fluid therewithin; a housing container substantially surrounding the flexible container; a fluid applicator adapted to apply fluid to a surface; a supply conduit connected between the flexible container and the fluid applicator and adapted to direct fluid from within the flexible container to the fluid applicator when force is externally directed against the fluid container walls and is transmitted thereby to the fluid within the flexible container; and force generating means adapted to exert force externally upon the flexible container while the same is within the housing container.

1 7. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 16, and in which the housing container is provided with means for facilitating the removal and insertion of the flexible container that holds a supply of fluid.

1 8. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 16, and in which the force generating means compresses the internal volume of the flexible container.

1 9. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 18, and in which the force generating means includes means for increasing air pressure between the interior of the housing container and the outside wall surface of the flexible container.

20. A fluid applicating system as claimed in claim 1 6 which includes a control means adapted to vary the rate of fluid flow from the flexible container to the fluid applicator while force is being exerted on the flexible container.

21. A method of reducing the exposure of a coating fluid to premature curing conditions prior to and during application of the fluid to a surf ace, which comprises sealing the fluid in a container that inhibits exposure of the fluid to premature curing conditions prior to and during application of the fluid to a surface, applying a force externally to the container to compress the same and pressurize the fluid therein; conveying the fluid in response to such pressurizing along a conduit in sealed connection with the container; and supplying the fluid in the conduit to a surface coating portion of an applicator.

22. A method for supplying a surface coating applicator with coating fluid, which comprises containing the coating fluid in a flexiblewalled container; attaching a conduit to the flexible container and the surface coating portion of a surface coating applicator such that coating fluid may pass from the interior of the flexible-walled container to the surf ace coating portion of the surface coating applicator, and decreasing the volume of the interior of the flexible container to force the coating fluid into the conduit and theref rom to the surface coating applicator.

23. A method for supplying a surface coating applicator with coating fluid as claimed in claim 22, and in which a substantially constant force is placed on the flexible container to decrease the interior volume of the container.

24. A method for supplying a surface coating applicator with coating fluid as claimed in claim 23, and in which fluid flow coating is inhibited along the conduit.

25. A method of supplying a surface coating applicator with coating fluid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the drawings.

26. A fluid applicating system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.