GB2414382A - Roller cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Roller cleaning apparatus is provided which includes a housing. Mounting means are provided in the housing to which a roller is removably mounted and, when mounted, is freely rotatable relative to the housing. The housing further includes an inlet to which a supply of cleaning fluid under pressure is connected. An elongate hollow conduit communicates with the inlet. The conduit has a plurality of apertures provided along its length and is arranged in the housing so as to be substantially parallel to the roller or roller component when mounted and for cleaning fluid supplied to the conduit from the inlet to be directed through the apertures towards and against the roller to clean the same.

Description

1 2414382 Cleaning Apparatus lilts invention Is concerned with a cleaning

apparatus for paint brushes, aild more specifically to a cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning paint rollers which habitually soak up significant cluanttes of lariat and are snore difficult t<' clean than conventional paint brushes on account -' f their cylnclrical shape.

Althoug,-l1 the folkwng,- clescrpt-'n is pr<-'vdecl with exclusive reference t' the cleaning tiff hand heltl paint rollers used by painters anti tlec-rators -' f domestic and commercial premises, it is to bL alprcciated that the inventions has wirier applcati'n, and ncleeLI may he constclereLI for use in the cleaning of any sponge, fabric fir otller absorbent material whicl1 is provided in annular or cyli'drcal shape around a support as a means -' f applying, the cornp<>und absorbeLI Intel said material to a surface by rolling.

TllC USL' of paint rollers to apply paint swiftly to large areas or expanses of walls is currently well known. Indeed the USC of paint rollers for this purpose Is so ubiquitous that every painter anti decorator will own at least one if not more rollers, and furthertnorc many clo-tt-yourself enthusiasts also possess paint rollers of 'ne Anal - ' r another. In general, such rollers come in many specs depending on the particular painting task involved anLl usually the size ' f the roller will depenLI on the area of wall which Is to be painted or whether the roller Is to be affixed to the cnLI 'f as CXtCilSiOil pole enabling the painter to apply coats <,f paint to,therwise Inaccessible areas.

M'st typically, such rollers consist of a hailLlle front one end of which extends a rigil steel wire disposers at an angle to' the l'ngtuLlilal axis of the handle, said steel wire then being befit in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and being recevecI within a usually plastic support cylncler over which a sponge or fabric roller component can be slid to frictionally engage therewith anti thus be secured tr.> the support. In less expensive rollers, the roller c.> mp<nent Is often Integrally provided ->r secured tc> the rigid steel wire sc> as tc> allow the same t> rotate freely during use.

I'he fuflLlatnental difficulty with rollers In general is that although there are extremely effective in applying paint quickly arid unifortnly to large wall and ceiling areas, the sponges or fabric froth which the rollers are primarily constituted Involve lengthy and intensive cleaning pr:>ceUures, which are furthertnore usually cc>nducteL1 by hand.

I7or tnstatlce, after the painting <of a particular area Is completed and the painter desires to clean his rollers, the roller component is typically either detached from tile roller c.>r alternatively the entire roller with integral r>ller c>mp'nent is washed as th::>r>ugllly as is possible under a hot or cold water tap, either alcove a sink In constructed d->mestic or commercial premises or alternatively free standing <->n a construction site.

It will he apprccated that the difficulty of cleaning r<:>llers is exacerbated by their cylindrical shape and their propensity to rotate freely watch is essential during use. 1'->r example, after a r'ller has been repeatedly dipped in paint and rolled over a surface, the abs<.> rbetlt sponge or fabric material becomes soaked fir saturated with paint at least in a base layer there>f, and while tints sneaked base layer can facilitate the unifc>rtn alplcation of paint to a wall during USC of the roller, the paint must be entirely rem>ved from throughout the absorbent material >thcrwisc the longevity will be prejudicially afFcctccl.

In general, rollers as described arc used to apply water-based cm.lsion paints, anti cleaning of the rollers thereafter can thus be accomplished by hand using water as mentonetl above. The use of rollers to apply oil based paints has cuff course beer effected but generally the cleaning of oil-based paint soaked rollers Is more Intensive and time consuming as it generally takes longer to remove the oil-based paint from the soaked base layer the roller. 'lihe cleaning of rollers soaks in cil-based paints Is ccsclucted using suitable chemical solvents such as white spirit and turpentine. 'lhese chemical solutions can be irritants to the skin of persons cleaning brushes, and furthermore pose a potential health r isk on account of their inherent toxicity.

\ further disadvantage with current roller cleaning techniques is the length of time taken t, clean each roller, which can be significant especially when it is considered that painters and decorators on a construction site painting large areas may use many different rollers in a single day.

Tt is an object of this Invention to provide a means of cleaning paint r oilers which is swift, thorough, recures only minimal manual effort on the part >f the person charged with the task Of cleaning the rollers, and furthermore prevents the cleaning fluid, whether this be water:' r other chemical solvent, from cc>mng into contact with the skin.

Accorclng t' the present nventi<>n there is pr ovided roller cleaning apparatus, said apparatus Including a hr>using, mc>untng means prc>vclecl in the housing to which a r>ller or roller component can be removably mounted arid, when mounted, can lie freely rotatalle relative to said hc> usrlg, said housing further ncluclng an inlet to which a supply of cleaning fluid uncier pressure can be connectecl, an elongate hollow conduit cotnmunicatng with said inlet, said conduit having a plurality of apertures clefinetl along its length anti arranged In tle housing so as to he substantially parallel to the roller or roller component when mounted and for cleaning fluid suppltecl to the conduit from the inlet to be direeteLI through the apertures towards and against the roller or rc> ller component to clean the same.

l'rcferably a roller is mounteL1 within the housing and is eleaneL1 therein by freely rotating as the cleaning fluid delivered via the e<-> ntlut impacts with the roller. ThL apertures In the e-'nduits are of sully dimensions anti arc arranged so as to proviLle substantially Avon jCtS of fluid for impact with the roller Ic>eatecI aLl jace-t therctt.>.

l'rcferab]y the inlet Is coupled to a cleanings fluid tap by any or any c'ml:>inatcn of a hose pipe or conduit.

1 n c>ne embowelment the cleaning fluid Is water and the inlet is eoupleLI to a conventional water tap.

I'referalle the housing includes a base porti>n and a e->ver portion. The base portion can be detachably attached tc> the cover portion anti the portions are arrangeLI such that when engageLI in a closeLI position the cleaning fluid delverecl to the housing; is substantially contained within the housing.

1 <>ne cmboclirucnt the base portion has an inlet prc>videcl therein. In an alternative embodiment the inlet is t>rovde In the cover 1101 tlOtl.

( onnectton means such as in the form of (>no or more COnnCCtI021 flanges, can be proViLlCC] on either side >r both sides 'f the Inlet of the housing thereby allowing the cleaning- fluid supply hose to be cc>nnected on an external side of the inlet and/or the elongate h->lk>w conduit to be connecteL1 on an ntcrnal split of the inlet. further connection means can be provitictl for maintaining the position of the elongate hollow contlut with respect to the roller or roller component and/or for supporting the elongate hollow conduit along a portion of its length.

Scaling means, such as sealing rings or connection flanges can be provitlcd either side of the Inlet anti/or a dratnagc outlet to prevent fluid from leaking out of the housing.

Prcferally the mounting means for the roller or roller component are provided on the base portion of the housing.

Preferably at least tart elf the mounting means is formed from substantially resilient material to allow the component -' r roller t> be engaycd therewith and removecl therefrom.

In ->ne embodiment the mounting means includes a pair of grtpling pot tiOtlS which are spaced apart by a cltstanee fraettorlally less than the diameter of a portion of the roller or r-'ller component to be Iceatecl therebetween, such as the rigid steel wire by which the roller eornpcnent is held in perpetldeular orientation with respect to the handle of the roller, thereby allowing the rc>ller or component to be mounted by friction fit. 'lthe mounting of the roller in the mounting meatlS can IJC aehievecl by forcing a straight portion i-' f the t^igicl et-eel Wlt C bCtWCCt1 the gripping portions. 'Lyle roller or roller crmpotlent Is disposed substantially vertically upwardly off the baSt' p>ttcn and freely rotatable with respect thereto.

In OtlC emboclitnent the mounting means are in the form of -'ne car molt ehatltlel shaped members, at least part of the roller or component, such as the handle or wire of the roller, being loeatetl in the channel or between ehanuels in use.

Preferably at least one insert Can be provided with the mounting means, such as In the channel shaped member, tc> allow different sized roller or roller components to be secured therein.

Most preferably the e<->ver portion is provided with at least one slot to allow a pc>rtic>n of the roller or roller ec>mpc>nent, such as the rigid steel wire of the roller, to emerge from within the cover portion when attached to said base portion. Sealing means Can be provided around the slot to prevent, or at least reduce the am>unt of cleaning fluid leaking,frc>m the housing in use.

The cover portion and/c>r base portion Can be any suitable sllal>e. In one embodiment, the base potion Is substantially square in plan view and the cover portion Is substantially eubc>id in shal>e.

In a see<>nd aspect c:' f the inventic>n there is pr<->vided a method <-' f Eleanor the freely rotating e<>ml><>rlent of a roller, said metll<'d including the steps <>f mounting the roller in roller Cleaning apparatus in a manlier s<-> as to permit the free rc>tation <>f the r<>tating c<->mponetlt relative t<> the tn<>unting, directing a suT:>T>ly of pressurised cleaning fluid through a e<>ndut m<:>unted a<llaeent t<> said freely rc:'tating e<>mponent of the roller, said Conduit pr<>vded with a plurality Of apertures along its length in the si<:le <>f said Conduit nearest said freely rc>tatirlg roller c<>rnp<> 'lerlt s<> that the pressurise<l eleantlg fluid emerges from said at>ett- ures and tmpaets against the r<>ller e<>mt><>nent causing the same t<> rotate.

Preferably the water Is f<>reed through the e<:>nduit In such a way s<> as t> f<>rm a plurality <>f jets which impact the roller or roller comp<> nent.

Preferably the methocl includes the further step of mounting the roller fin a base portion calf the hung and etverng said base prticn with a e'ver p'rtcn tr' encase at least the roller ernpneut and substantially c<'ntan the cleaning fluid within SttId ll<-usit.

Most preferably, the base and/'r cover ptrti<>ns calf the housing in general are provided with a cleaning fluid -'utlet by which cleaning fluid already impacted against the freely r<'tateable roller ecrnponent can drain 'r escape from the housings I;mb<'climerlts calf the nventi,n will now be deserbecl by way calf example with reference t' the accompanying diagrams wherein: Figure I sh<>ws a perspective view of a ernventi<-'rlal roller, Figure 2 shows a sehetnate perspective view of the var-'us eomlotlents of the apparatus aee-'rclng to one ernlodimerlt of the Invention anti how they are assemllecl; and lgut-es 3a and 31 illustrate a further etnlodimcnt of the present itlVCtitiOtl with and without a cover or easing.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown a conventional paint roller Q C()nStStillg ()f a plastic handle 4 fr'rm one end Off which extetltls a rigid steel wire 6 having a first short straight section 8, a second section 10 which is angled away from tl ngituclrlal axis 12 of the hatlLlle, a third section 14 which is retnote ft--'rn the axis 12 but sulstarltially parallel therewith, and a fourth section whte}1 is substantially perperlcleular to the axis 1 Q lint parallel with the lngttucltnal axis I 8 of the roller c,rnprnt nt 20. I he fourth seett'n l (I may extencl substantially along the cntrc length of the roller component 2() to pr<-'viclc sup}ot-t thcrcfrr.

The roller compc>nent 20 is typically covered with a conventional absorbent sponge or fabric coating which can absorb paint fat application to walls or other surfaces. 'I'hc roller component 20 Is also secured to or integrally formed with an inner cylinder 22 which Is freely rotateable about the longitudinal axis 18, and therefore the roller component Is also freely rotatcablc.

talc apparatus of the invention is shown in l;igurc 2 at 30 and comprises a base 32 with feet 34 by which >;aicl base can be supprtcd fin a work surface, and a cover 3G having a skit 38 arranged longitudinally along part of a side of the cover to rccctvc that portion of the rigid steel wit e G of the roller 2 wLtcll cmcrycs from within the cover once the various components have been assembled and the apparatus is 'perattoTlal. 'l'hc lower edges 4() of the cover are adapted to be frictionally received over or inside a flange 42 provided on the base 32, and typically but not necessarily exclusively adjacent a pertpllcral edge of the base, to effectively seal the apparatus and prevent significant fluid escape from within said cover.

l n the base 32 Is provided a fluid outlet aperture 44 through which cleaning fluid can drain during operation, a pair of resilient grips 46 between which the third portion 14 of the rigid steel wire 6 of the roller can be frictionally mounted so that the freely r otateable roller component 20 is disposed substantially vertically upwardly -' f said base, and a fluid Inlet: aperture 48 ar ound which a flange 50 is provided and through which a supply -' f ptessurtsetl cleaning fluid Is delivered through a Lose 52 releasably attached to an external understcle of the base. The hose is Ideally connected to a simple hot or coltl water tap pr,vidn<e,- tnains pressure water, fir alternatively may be connected to a supply of a chemical cleaning agent such as turpentine or white spirit.

Lila flange 5() permits the ecnneetion of an elongate hollow fluid conduit 56 Provided with a plurality of aligned apertures 58 which on connection of the ecnclut tie the flange 5() should be disposed proximate the roller eomp-'nent 20 and directed thc.rctowarcl s.

In use <'nce the elongate flucl ecndut has Ocean secured tc' the base adlaecnt the roller component 2(), and the cover 36 is cltsposecl ovt r the entire arrangement, the tap is ideally turned fin and tle apparatus left in this eoncliticn for 5-1 () minutes whcrcaftcr the aggressive cleaning effected by the lets of water wLtell emerg,-e at high speed through the apertures 58 is completed. During the cleaning, the lets of water impact the roller c<'tnponent 20 and cause same to rotate and the nature of the impact c>f the lets is to dislodge paint from the very deepest layers 'f the absorbent material of which the roller eotnponetlt l'le spacing and arrangement of the holes 58 is important tc> ideally ensure that a jet of watet- etnerges froth each hole at the satnc speed and thus provides the satne cleaning effect. A spactn<g off between I/2 atld 1 i/d inches is usually sufficient in a conduit >f I - I I/2 feet long f<>r c>nveut>nal piped tap water.

Icleally the aperture sizes are between 4 anti 6 trite, but obviously tints will depencl on t}lC Size calf the rc>llers to be cleaned.

tltliticnally the conduit tray be of different cross-see/tonal shapes, rot example circular, stuare, rectang,-ulat, oval or c llit:'tie,l.

Most ideally, the apparatus is assembled with the roller component 20 (1'SPOSCLI between the surface calf the elongate conduit 56 in which the apertures are provicleLI anti the slot 38, so as try minmse the escape of cleaning frugal through the said flint.

A further embodiment of the present invention Is illustrated in figures 3a and 3b. 'Ihe same components as that in figures 1 and 2 ar e referreLI to using the same reference numerals. Tn this embodiment, the flutcl outlet 44 is provided with a waste' pipe 102 for directing waste fluid away from the apparatus to a sutalle drainage facility, as shown by arrow 1()4. A channelled memler 1()6 is mounteLI on lease 1()8 of casing 32 for supporting the wire G o f the roller 2. 'lthe chanoelled member I OG is typically of sul:'stantially complementary shape to the shape of wire 6. A removable insert (not shown) can be locater in the channel l l() of ehannellcd meml:'er 10(, for supporting roller wires calf different sizes anLl/or shapes.

A eleantog fluid inlet aperture 48 is provided in cover 3G, typically on a top surface 112 thereof. A sealing- flange 50 is provided around the easing to secure hose 52 and hollow fluid conduit 5G In position. Pressurised cleaning fluid is providers via hose 52 into conduit 5G. '1'he base 113 calf conduit 5G Is closed, thereby allowing water entering top portion 114 of the conduit to be forced through apertures 58 in eoncIuit 5G.

precut tNg means in the form of a clip 116 Is provided Otl all interior surface of cover 36 to holLl conduit 56 Itl place.

1'ivtable attaelltnent means ll8 are provided can top surface 112 of cover 3G and are m-,val.,le between a first position shown lay Solit1 1ttlC 118 and a second position shown by dottLLl line 118'.

lihe attacl1merlt means 118 attaches to top 114 of conduit 5G and rc'tates the conduit between the first and second positions. As such, the orientation of apertures 58 on conduit 56 can be aclustetl, thereby allowing the cleaning fluid to be directed <-into the roller component 20 froth two different angles. '['his causes the roller comtoncnt 20 to be rotated, as a result of impact of trccssurscd cleaning fluid therewith, In either all antickckwise or clockwise direction. 'lihis ncrcases the cleafltng effect trovdctl lay the apparatus.

\ny of talc features of the difEcrcnt cmboclimeflts can be used alone or In combination with the prescut nvent-n as rccluired.

Claims (1)

1. (clams: 1. Rebiller cleaning apparatus, said apparatus including a

   h'ustog, mounting tneans pr>vtUed In the housing to whel a reller 'r r>ller eom} 'nent ean 1e remevably m-'unted ancl, whcf1 m<:>unted, ean be freely rotatable rclatvc t<' satcl h'usinx-, saic1 husing further neluding an let t<' wheh a supply >f elcanng fluicl uncler pressure ean lc cenueetecl, an ck>ng-ate hell<'w e>nclut e>mmunieating with said inlet, said encluit having- a plr.rality 'f apertures cleRnccl al'ng ts]ength ancl arranged tn the he>usng se> as t> be substantially parallel te, thc rcller er r<> ller eompr>nent when me>untcd, ancl for elcaning fluid supplicc! to the eoncluit fre>m thc inlet to lc dircetecl through the apc.rturcs towards ancl against thc roller or roller eompencnt to elcan thc same.

   2. 1\pparatus aeeorcling to elam 1 whcrcin thc inlet is eouplecl to a elcanng fluid supply tap by means e>f any e>r any e>mbinatton of a hc>se, ppe or eoncluit.

   . :\ppafatus aeeordng to claim I whcrcin scaling means are 1rovcletl n assoetation wth sad nlct.

   4. ,Yplaratus aeeorcling to elam I wherein ecnucetioi1 means are providccl on or in thc housing for allowing eonneete>n 'f thc elongate holk>w e-'ndut on an internal side of saicl housing and/or eonneetion of a elcaning flud supply hc>se on an external siclc o f saitl housing.

   . ,Xlparatus acccrcling to claim 1 whcrcn thc housing ncluclcs a I'asc lorti<'rl and a cover portion.

   (I. Apparatus aeeordtng to claim 5 wherein the base portion Is detachably attached tic the e<->ver pc>rttcn.

   7. ApT:>aratus according tc> any precetltng claim wherein the inlet Is provided in the base portic>i1 of the h<->using.

   3. Apparatus aeeorcIing tc> any preeecltng Platte wherein the Inlet is provided In the cover porttot1 Of the housing.

   9. :\ppat atus aee<->rcltng to any preceding claim wherein the mounting meails are provclect on the base portion of the 1l<tiiig.

   1(). Apparatus aeeorcling to balm 1 wherein the mounting tncans are formed frc>m a material having sotne degree of resiliency.

   11. Apparatus aeec>rclslg to claim 1 wherein the mounting meails includes a pair c>f substantially parallel gripping p<>t-tions which are spaced apart by a distance fractionally less than the diameter of a portt->i1 of the roller or eornp->iletlt to be located therebetween.

   12. Apparatus according claim 1 wherein the mounting tneans inelutle one or more channel shaped metnbcrs and a pcrtt>n c>t portions of the roller or roller ec>mponeot is located In a channel member or between channel members Ill tISC.

   13. Apparatus aeeorcling to claim I wherein at least one inset t tS providect with the mounting tneans to allcw cltffcrent sized rollers Ot r ->ller componcuts to be secured therct>.

   14. ilpparatus aeeordtng to any preceding elatm wheretn wtth a roller moutlted on said rnounttng meatls7 the roller ts loeatetl sulystantially perpendteular to satd lase portton.

   15. iNpparatus aeeording to elaitn 5 whereitl the e:'ver p>rtton ts providecl with a sk-.'t therein for the k>eation cf a hanclle lortion c>f a roller therethr,ugll.

   1 G. \pparatus aee>rding to claim 5 wherein the 1ase lortion ts lrovdecl wtth an upstanding flange adjacent a pertplleral edge therecf tc, prevetlt eleantng flutd frc>rn cscaplng.

   l 7. iNpparatus aeeorcling to claim 1 wherein the housing tS proviclecl wtth a cleaning flutd outlet to alk>w cleaning flutd to le drained fr:>m the housing.

   18. ;\ tnet-hocl 'f clcanitlg the freely rotatng,- eornponent <>f a t>ller, said method including the steps c>f mounting thc roller itl rollet cleaning apparatus itl a manner s.> as to petmit the free rc> tatton of the rotattog eotnpc>nent relative to the mounttog, directing a supply of pressurtsed cleaning flutd tht-ough a conduit mounted adjacent t<.> said freely rotating component c>f the roller, satcl eot:,duit pr:> vided with a plutaltty of apertures alotlg its length in the side of said ccntiutt ncarcst saicl frccly r'tating roller cc>tuponent SO tha.t t}lC prcssurised clcantng fluid cmergcs frc>m said a.pcrtures and impacts against thc rcller component causing the same to rotate.

   19. \ method according to clatm 18 whcrctn thc rc>ller is m(>untcd cn a base pcrtt'n of the hcustng and a cover p()rtion tS located c>vcr thc base pcrtion tc> encase the roller component and substantially contain the cleaning fluid within said housing.