GB2291792A - Paint roller cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning paint rollers comprises a housing 1 within which a roller 3 can be mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means for connecting the housing interior to a source of water under pressure and a motor-driven pump 12 positioned to receive water from the source and to discharge the same at a predetermined delivery pressure to a manifold 7 located within the housing with its axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller. A plurality of orifices 8 are formed in the manifold through which discrete overlapping jets of water are discharged towards and onto a surface of such a roller at positions offset from the axis of rotation of the roller. <IMAGE>

Description

Paint Roller Cleaning Apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water based solutions to such surfaces as walls and ceilings for such purposes as, for example, decoration.

In my British Patent Application GB 2247163A, there is disclosed apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water-based solutions to surfaces.

This roller cleaning apparatus disclosed includes a housing within which a roller to be cleaned is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. Discrete jets of water are discharged onto the surface of the roller at positions offset from its axis of rotation, each jet overlapping with its neighbouring jets to present a continuous liquid front along the entire length of the roller. In this earlier application, the jets are connected to receive water direct from a mains supply. Because the mains pressure of water varies considerably from location to location and from time to time, direct connection to a mains supply has proved to be unsatisfactory because when the water pressure is relatively low, the water jets do not penetrate fully the absorbing tubular layer of the roller whereby the roller is not properly cleaned unless subjected to the water for an excessive period of time.Low water pressures are particularly prevalent in gravity fed supplies, i.e. a tap supplied direct from a tank.

The present invention sets out to overcome, or at least alleviate, this problem and provides an improved roller cleaning apparatus which operates efficiently and effectively notwithstanding differing water pressures of the source or sources to which the apparatus is connected.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water based solutions to surfaces, the apparatus comprising a housing within which a roller can be mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means for connecting the housing interior to a source of water under pressure, a motor-driven pump positioned to receive water from the source and to discharge the same at a predetermined delivery pressure to a manifold located within the housing with its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of a roller mounted within the housing, and a plurality of orifices formed in the manifold through which discrete jets of water are discharged towards and onto a surface of such a roller, the orifices being so positioned and aligned that the discrete jets make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the axis of rotation of the roller.

Preferably, each said jet overlaps with its neighbouring jet or jets to present a continuous liquid front along substantially the entire length of the roller.

It is preferred that the plurality of jets are disposed in a generally linear array substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the manifold.

The roller may be mounted on the spindle or pivots which may be so positioned that, in use of the apparatus, the roller is mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical.

Two pivots may be provided, one which may be adjustable. If an adjustable pivot is employed, it may comprise a screw threaded rod movable towards and away from a roller located within the housing.

In another aspect, the present invention provides paint roller cleaning apparatus comprising a housing, means for supporting a roller to be cleaned within the housing whilst enabling the roller to spin freely about its longitudinal axis, means for conveying water to the housing interior, a motor-driven pump for receiving such water and for discharging the same at a predetermined pressure to a manifold including a plurality of orifices through which water is discharged as discrete jets onto the surface of the roller, the orifices being so aligned that jets of water issuing therefrom make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the longitudinal axis of the roller.

Each jet may overlap with its neighbouring jet or jets to present a continuous liquid front along substantially the entire length of the roller.

It has been found to be preferable to construct the discharge orifices such that there is substantially even liquid pressure over the cross-sectional area of the jet and over substantially the entire length of the liquid front. This is suitably achieved by locating a restrictor hole between the orifice and the liquid supply, the hole being sited inediately prior to, or upstream of, the orifice. The restrictor hole is generally aligned with the centre of the discharge orifice and has an area less than the area of the discharge orifice. In order to ensure that the liquid pressure is substantially even over substantially the entire length of the liquid front, the area of the restrictor hole is made substantially smaller than the inner cross sectional area of a manifold which conveys water to the orifices.

The manifold may extend over the entire length of the roller with its end remote from the pump spaced below or to one side of the roller.

In a preferred embodiment, the jets are caused to overlap prior to contacting the roller surface by virtue of being discharged through a slotted orifice behind which lies the restrictor hole. The jet thus formed is generally fan-shaped. The slot suitably is a straight slot, i.e. a slot having generally parallel longer sides, for example, a rectangular slot. Most advantageously, the apparatus may be provided with a plurality of discharge nozzles, each such nozzle having a generally hemispherically shaped end face in which is set a discharge nozzle in the form of a straight slot.

The invention also comprehends a method of cleaning a roller through the use of an apparatus of the type defined above.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view in section of paint roller cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention in which the roller is mounted about a horizontal axis Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 with the cover of the apparatus removed; and Figure 3 is a side view in section of a spray manifold used in the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

The roller cleaning apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises a generally cylindrical hollow housing 1 provided with a cover 2 which is removable to enable a paint roller 3 to be positioned within the housing interior between fixed pivots 4,5. The cover and/or the housing may be produced from a plastics material which may be transparent. The position of one or each pivot may be adjustable. Thus, pivot 5 may comprise a screw threaded rod movable towards and away from one end of the roller 3 by means of a knob. The roller is of conventional configuration and comprises an outer paint absorbing tubular layer carried by an inner hollow shaft 6.

Positioned within the interior of the housing 1 is a manifold 7 formed with a series of discrete orifices 8. As will be seen from Figure 3, these orifices are preferably rectangular or fan shaped in section. The manifold 7 extends through one wall of the housing to receive a hose 9 or the like connected to a mains water supply through a conventional tap.

The lower end if the manifold 7 extends to a position below the lowermost orifice 8 to avoid the formation of vortices created by the water present in the manifold.

Such vortices, if created, tend to inhibit the flow of water through the lowermost orifice. The bottom of the manifold 7 locates within a collar 10 upstanding from the base 15 of the housing.

Secured to one side of the housing is an enclosure 11 which houses a centrifugal pump 12 driven by an electric or battery operated motor 14. The pump 12 is connected to receive water admitted to the housing via the hose 9 and to discharge the same at a predetermined pressure to the manifold 7. Thus, the pressure of water directed through the orifices 8 is always at a consistent and required pressure.

The base 15 of the housing 1 includes a sideways extension 16 to balance the weight of the pump enclosure 11, the pump 12 and motor 14. Drain holes 17 are formed in the base 15 of the housing.

As will be seen from Figure 1, the pivots 4,5 are positioned so that the longitudinal axis of a roller mounted between the pivots is offset from the centre line of the housing. The longitudinal axis of the roller is also generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the manifold 7. The discharge orifices 8 of the manifold 7 are therefore directed towards points on the roller surface which are offset from the longitudinal axis of the roller.

In use of the apparatus illustrated, a roller to be cleaned is positioned between the pivots 4,5 with the inwardly facing ends of the pivots positioned against the open ends of the shaft 6. The pressure applied by the pivots is insufficient to inhibit free rotation of the roller. The hose 9 is then connected to a mains supplied tap which is opened to enable water to flow via the pump 12 to the manifold 7 to cause discrete fan shaped water jets to be emitted from the orifices 8. The presence of the pump ensures that the water admitted to the manifold is at the required pressure to ensure efficient and speedy cleaning of the roller. Because of their alignment, the jets emitted make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the rollers longitudinal axis thereby imparting rotational movement to the roller.This rotational movement assists speedy and efficient cleaning of the roller.

Polluted water leaves the housing via the drain holes 17.

As will be seen from Figure 3, the manifold 7 has six discharge orifices 8 in each of which is positioned a nozzle 18. There may, however, be a greater or lesser number of orifices if desired. Each nozzle 18 is provided with a restriction hole 19, the area of which is significantly smaller than the cross-sectional areas of either the manifold or the discharge orifice. Each nozzle 18 has a generally hemispherical front face in which is set the slotted discharge orifice 19. The construction of the nozzles is such that a fan-shaped jet of water or other cleaning fluid is produced, and the distance between the nozzles is set such that the fan-shaped jets overlap before coming into contact with the roller. Thanks to the area of the restriction hole 19 being significantly smaller than the cross-sectional area of the manifold 7, the pressure of liquid emerging from the nozzles is substantially constant along the line of nozzles. Consequently, the liquid pressure is substantially even along the entire liquid front.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of particular embodiments of paint cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water based solutions to surfaces, the apparatus comprising a housing within which a roller can be mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means for connecting the housing interior to a source of water under pressure, a motor driven pump positioned to receive water from the source and to discharge the same at a predetermined delivery pressure to a manifold located within the housing with its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of a roller mounted within the housing, and a plurality of orifices formed in the manifold through which discrete jets of water are discharged towards and onto a surface of such a roller, the orifices being so positioned and aligned that the discrete jets make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the axis of rotation of the roller.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said jet overlaps with its neighbouring jet or jets to present a continuous liquid front along substantially the entire length of the roller.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the jets are disposed in a generally linear array substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the manifold.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the roller is mounted on pivots so positioned that, in use of the apparatus, the roller is mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least one of the pivots is adjustable.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the pivot comprises a screw threaded rod movable towards and away from a roller located within the housing.

7. Paint roller cleaning apparatus comprising a housing, means for supporting a roller to be cleaned within the housing whilst enabling the roller to spin freely about its longitudinal axis, means for conveying water to the housing interior, a motor-driven pump for receiving such water and for discharging the same at a predetermined pressure to a manifold including a plurality of orifices through which water is discharged as discrete jets onto the surface of the roller, the orifices being so aligned that jets of water issuing therefrom make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the longitudinal axis of the roller.

8. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each jet overlaps with its neighbouring jet or jets to present a continuous liquid front along substantially the entire length of the roller.

9. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the manifold extends over the entire length of the roller with its end remote from the pump spaced below or to one side of the roller.

10. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein each nozzle is of slotted configuration.

11. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein a restrictor hole is positioned behind each slotted nozzle.

12. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the longer sides of each slotted nozzle are generally parallel.

13. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein each nozzle has a generally hemispherically shaped end face in which is set a discharge nozzle in the form of a straight slot.

14. Apparatus for cleaning rollers substantially as herein described and as described in figure 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.