GB2303087A - Spray device with detachable atomiser container - Google Patents

Abstract

A spray device includes a blow gun 01 having a holder 05 to which is attached, eg by screw or push fit, a disposable atomising container 11 for material to be sprayed. The atomiser has a spray tip 18 which is placed, possibly adjustably, in the outlet path from air nozzle 06. The material may be aspirated via a suction tube 19 in which case the container is vented. Alternatively a flexible container with no air vent may be mounted above the air nozzle (Fig 6). A stand is disclosed (Fig 10) for supporting container mounted on the pipe.

Description

SPRAYING DEVICE WITH DETACHABLE ATOMISER This application relates to a spraying device with detachable atomiser.

There are many types of spraying device including an external-mix air brush and a conventional paint sprayer both powered by a forced flow of air (or other suitable gas) derived from a source, directly or indirectly, such as a compressor or a cylinder of pressurized gas. These spraying devices require significant pre- and post-use preparation and cleaning even with easy-to-spray materials of relatively low viscosity. Preparation, cleaning and problems in spraying may intensify when the sprayable material is viscous or is one which sets or partially sets in contact with air such as many adhesives and paints. Also, when operating such spraying devices, it may be desirable but relatively difficult for the operator's hands to be kept clean.An aerosol is another spraying device which, although requiring minimal pre- and post-use preparation and cleaning, is relatively costly and often environmentally disadvantageous.

Devices such as blow-guns are widely used to deliver and control a jet or jets of forced air, as an example for cleaning purposes.

According to the present invention there is provided a spraying device coF4prising a blow-gun with additional features and a detachable atomiser containing the material to be sprayed. The blow-gun is capable of being hand-held or mounted and includes means for: connection to a source of forced air (or other gas) or with an integral source. The source may be an air compressor with or without a storage tank. It may also be an accelerator such as a rotary fan powered by an electric motor. It may also be a storage cylinder or other container; controlling the flow of forced air through the blow-gun; emitting the forced air. Emission takes place from an air-tip which may be in the form of a pointed tip or an orifice in a surface or, should multiple air-tips be used, from both.The air-tip may be part of the blow-gun holder or part of the atomiser; receiving and positionally controlling a detachable atomisen The atomiser includes means for being received by the blow-gun; enabling the contained material to be sprayed by the effect of forced air from the blow-gun and, if appropriate; protection.

The atomiser may be designed for: a single filling with the material to be sprayed and disposal when substantially empty or otherwise unsuitable for further use; or multiple fillings with or without a cleaning process between fillings.

The atomiser includes a spray-tip from which material is sprayed when air is forced past it at an appropriate velocity and in an appropriate direction and condition. The spraying system includes one or more air-tips from which air is forced past the spray-tip. The relative positioning of the spray-tip and air-tip may be critical for satisfactory spraying and this may vary, for instance with the nature of the material being sprayed.

When the air-tip is part of the blow-gun holder its position relative to the spray-tip may be adjustable or pre-set. Such adjustment may be obtained in a horizontal plane by means such as screwing the air-tip in or out and in the vertical plane by screwing the atomiser up or down. Alternatively the adjustment may be pre-set such that attaching the atomiser correctly to the blow-gun holder results in the desired positioning.

Whsen the air-tip is part of the atomiser the position relative to the spray-tip may be adjustable or pre-set. With an atomiser having a pre-set air-tip, locating the atomiser correctly in the blow-gun provides a connection for forced air between the blow-gun and the atomiser.

Disposal of the atomiser or integrated unit (i.e. blow-gun and atomiser) may be, with adequate measures if appropriate, into the refuse chain or alternatively into a reconditioning/recycling system.

A first specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 3 in which: Figure 1 shows in vertical section the blow-gun and holder without a detachable atomiser being fitted; Figure 2 shows in vertical section the detachable atomiser; Figure 3 shows in vertical section a protective cap for the detachable atomiser when not fitted to the blow-gun.

Referring to Figure 1, the blow gun 01 includes a body in a form incorporating a handle 02, a connection to an airline 03, an air flow controller 04 and a atomiser holder 05; the latter incorporates an air-tip 06 and a hole to receive the atomiser 07. The lower part of the hole 07 is internally threaded to accept the operating-ca p-extension. The upper part of the hole 07 is profiled to accept the atomiser mount thus precisely positioning the spray-tip relative to air-tip 06 so as to provide optimal spraying.

Referring to Figure 2, the atomiser 10 comprises a container 11 with a closure aperture 12 and an air inlet aperture 13; partly fitted into the latter is a removable pin 14. Screwed over the closure aperture 12 is an operating-cap 15 with an externally threaded operating-cap extension 16.

Fitted into the extension is a mount 17 fitted with an spray-tip 18 and a suction-tube 19. Not shown in the drawing is the removable pin 20 fitted into the spray-tip 18.

Referring to Figure 3, the protective cap 21 may be fitted to the externally threaded extension 16 when the atomiser is not attached to the blow-gun.

In operation the blow-gun is connected to an airline providing forced or compressed air. An atomiser, part filled with sprayable material, is selected then its protective cap removed. The selected atomiser is then screwed into the blow-gun holder so that the atomiser's mount locates against the upper part of the holder: this positions the spray-tip relative to the air aperture so as to provide optimum spraying. The removable pins are withdrawn from the air inlet aperture and spray-tip. The material from the container can then be sprayed by operation of the air flow controller.

The removable pins can be replaced during periods when the spraying does not take place.

A second specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figure 4 which shows in vertical section the blow-gun and its holder without an atomiser being fitted. The blow-gun is similar to that in Figure 1 except in respect of the holder where a swinging arm mechanism is added. The atomiser is identical with that in Figure 2 except that the operating-cap extension 16 is not externally threaded. The protective cap 21 is identical with that in Figure 3 except that it is not internally threaded, being instead a push-fit.

Referring to Figure 4, reference numbers 01 to 07 have the same meaning as in Figure 1. The holder 05 is fitted with an externally threaded sleeve 30 into which the operating-cap extension 16 is a push fit; the threaded sleeve 30 is retained in a selected vertical position by a grub screw 31. There is a pivoting arm 32 onto which an atomiser 10 can be placed. The arm pivots around fulcrum 33. One or more compression springs 34 press on an extension(s) 35 of the pivoting arm.

In operation, the threaded sleeve of the holder is set at the desired vertical position and the grub screw tightened. The right-hand end of the pivoting arm is pulled up against the compression spring(s) and a selected atomiser is placed on it. The end of the pivoting arm is released and the action of the compression spring(s) moves the atomiser upwards so that its mount locates against the upper part of the holder. The removable pins are withdrawn from the air inlet aperture and spray-tip.

The material from the container can then be sprayed by operation of the air flow controller. The removable pins can be replaced during periods when the spraying does not take place.

A third specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figure 5 which shows in vertical section the blow-gun and its fitment without a detachable atomiser being fitted.

Referring to Figure 5, the blow-gun 01 includes a body in a form incorporating a handle 02, a connection to an airline 03, an air flow controller 04 and a holder 05; the latter incorporates an air-tip 06 which can be adjusted horizontally using knurled wheel 08. The holder 05 incorporates an internally threaded hole 09. Figure 5 also shows the upper portion of an atomiser fitted to the holder; the operating cap extension 16 of the atomiser 10 is screwed into the internally threaded holé 09 and can thus be adjusted vertically.

In the first, second and third embodiments, the air inlet aperture 13 enabled atmospheric pressure to be directly exerted on sprayable material in the atomiser. It may be desirable to eliminate the necessity for such an air inlet aperture for simplicity and cleanliness in operation and to prevent evaporation of the sprayable material. This is accomplished in the fourth to eighth embodiments. Furthermore the sprayable material may be of a type which undergoes partial or complete setting in contact with air (e.g. when it is an adhesive or a paint). The ability to clear the spray-tip directly or indirectly by squeezing the flexible or collapsible container may be advantageous in such circumstances.

A fourth specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures 6 which shows in vertical section the detachable atomiser which is in the form of a collapsible tube positioned above the blow-gun and its holder into which the atomiser fits.

Referring to Figure 6, the detachable atomiser comprises a collapsible tube 40, a mount 17 and spray-tip 18 (but no suction-tube equivalent to 19 in the first embodiment). The crimped seal 41 is hermetic. It is noted that no air inlet aperture is provided. A protective cap, not shown in the drawing, may be screwed onto the closure 42 before use. A removable pin, not shown in the drawing, is provided which may be fitted into the spray-tip 18 when not in use.

The blow-gun 01 is similar to that in Figure 1 except that the holder is turned through 180 degrees (lower becoming upper) and the internal threading of hole 07 is designed to accept the closure 42 of the collapsible tube 40. A wad, not shown in the drawing, may be provided so that the join between the atomiser and the holder is hermetic.

In operation the blow-gun is connected to an airline providing forced or compressed air. An atomiser, filled with sprayable material, is selected then its protective cap removed. The selected atomiser is then screwed into the blow-gun holder so that the atomiser's mount locates against the holder: this positions the spray-tip relative to the air-tip so as to provide optimum spraying. The removable pin is is withdrawn from the spray-tip.

The material from the atomiser can then be sprayed by operation of the air flow controller. The removable pin can be replaced during periods when the spraying does not take place.

A fifth specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures 2 and 7 in which the latter shows in vertical section the addition to the atomiser of an inner flexible or collapsible liner 50. Container 11 of the atomiser is shown shaded and without its operating-cap but with its inner liner 50 before filling. One or more apertures 51 are provided in container 11 so that atmospheric pressure can be exerted on the inner liner 50. The air inlet aperture 13 and removable pin 14 are eliminated. After filling, the operating cap and other components are fitted so that the inner liner is gripped between the container 11 and its operating-cap 15 to make a hermetic seal.

A sixth specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figure 8 which shows a modified blow-gun holder and a modified atomiser incorporating both a spray-tip and an air-tip.

Referring to Figure 8, the modified blow-gun holder 60 is shown in vertical section and in horizontal section at AA; beneath the latter the upper part of the modified atomiser 61 is shown in vertical section. The holder 60 includes a connection 62 to the blow-gun 01 with a connecting hole 63 for the passage of forced air; the latter may terminate with an O-ring (not illustrated) to facilitate sealing to the atomiser 61 when fitted.

The holder 60 also incorporates a ring 64 to receive the atomiser 61 (which has a circular cross-section) and a sprung-ball 65 to locate it correctly. The sprung-ball 65 is itself located by means of a spring 66 and grub-screw 67. The detachable atomiser 61 comprises a collapsible tube 40 (of which only the upper end is shown) screwed into a component 68 with a gasket 69. A suction-tube 19 is a push fit into component 68 which also incorporates a recess 70 to accomodate the sprung-ball 65, a spray-tip 18 and an air-tip 06 which connects with hole 63 in the holder.

A seventh specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figure 8. By turning the blow-gun holder 60 through 180 degrees and removing the suction-tube, the collapsible tube becomes mounted above the holder.

A eighth specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figure 9 in which a modified atomiser 80, designed to fit into the blow-gun holder 60 in Figure 8, is shown in vertical section. Referring to Figure 9 the atomiser 80 comprises a flexible or collapsible container 81 which may or may not be relatively rigid at its neck. When the latter is relatively rigid it may be a push-fit over a modified component 82 to make a hermetic seal. When the neck of the container 81 is not rigid there is a profile 83 to component 82 with a clip 84 to hold container 81 in place making a hermetic seal. A suction-tube 19 is a push fit into component 82 which is also provided with spray-tip 18 and an air-tip 06 which connects with hole 63 in the holder.

In any one of the eight embodiments described herein the flow of forced air and its effect on the sprayable material from the spray-tip may be modified by one or more of the following devices: the vertical plane angle between the centre lines of the air-tip and the spray-tip may be modified from the 900 implied in the figures.

This modified angle may apply, for instance, to the whole of an atomiser in relation to the blow-gun and holder or to only one or a part of the air-tip, mount and/or suction-tube; more than one air-tip may be provided with the two flows of forced air being directed in parallel or at an angle to each other; the air-tip(s) may be provided with a guide(s) to direct the air flow.

A ninth specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to Figure 10 which shows a stand in use with the equipment shown previously in Figure 6. The equipment is shown assembled ready for use but resting in the stand 90 so that the spray-tip 18 is within a cavity 91 thus having some protection from evaporation so that a removable pin 20 is not required at least for short periods.

Claims (10)

1 A spraying device comprising a blow-gun incorporating a atomiser holder to which a atomiser incorporating a spray-tip can be attached and removed.

2 A spraying device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the blow-gun air-tip and atomiser spray-tip are fixed or adjustable in position relative to one another.

3 A spraying device as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein the atomiser includes a flexible or collapsible container such that an air inlet aperture is not required and the sprayable material is protected from the atmosphere.

4 A spraying device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the atomiser incorporates both a spray-tip and an air-aperture which are fixed or adjustable in position relative to one another.

5 A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the atomiser is positioned below its holder and is provided with a suction-tube.

6 / A spraying device as claimed in Claims 1 to 4, wherein the atomiser is positioned above its holder and may not be provided with a suction-tube.

7 A spraying device as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wherein the atomiser includes a flexible container (such as a plastics bag or sachet) with or without outer protection (such as a rigid or semi-rigid plastics bottle or jar); any outer protection being provided with one or more orifices to permit atmospheric pressure being exerted on the flexible container.

8 A spraying device as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the spray-tip is profiled (e.g. tapered) so that, when the atomiser is fitted to the atomiser holder, the spray-tip is positioned in a matching hole facilitating precise location relative to the air-tip.

9 A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein features such as the relative positioning of the air- and spray-tips together with their bore are selected in relation to a specific material (or type of material) to be sprayed from a disposable atomiser thus permitting either easy-to-spray materials (e.g.

low-viscosity liquids such as those largely composed of water) or difficult-to-spray materials (e.g. higher viscosity and/or setting liquids such as adhesives and paints) to be sprayed.

10 A spraying device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a stand is provided on to which the blowgun and attachments may be placed when spraying is not taking place and which include means for minimising damage and any setting of the sprayable material in or near the spray-tip.