GB2489711A

GB2489711A - Decorating roller sleeve

Info

Publication number: GB2489711A
Application number: GB201105735A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Harris; Trevor Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-05
Filing date: 2011-04-05
Publication date: 2012-10-10
Also published as: GB201105735D0

Abstract

A detachable decorating roller sleeve 1, the sleeve having elastic properties and being washable such that the sleeve may be repeatedly used on a roller. The sleeve may be formed of an elastic or rubber webbing. The sleeve may be formed of an absorbent material. There is a method for decorating using a paint tray, a handle a tubular roller and such a detachable sleeve and a system for decorating using such a sleeve.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

KEVIN HARRIS AND TREVOR HARRIS

FOR

A SLEEVE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sleeve, more particularly a sleeve for decorating rollers.

Backqrund Increasing numbers of people are interested in decorating their homes, as an increasing market grows in home improvements.

One of the easiest tasks to undertake to improve a home is to decorate a room by painting the walls or ceiling with emulsion paint. Although in larger commercial situations and new builds automatic spray painting may be used to paint a room, typically the task is a laborious time intensive chore.

An easy way to spread emulsion paint quickly over large areas is with a paint roller.

A metal or plastic roller tray is typically used for holding the paint.

The tools for undertaking this task are typically a roller and tray, wherein the paint is poured into the tray and the roller is rolled in the paint such as to cover the roller.

The roller is typically formed from a handle with rotatably mounted end caps, and a typically detachable tubular rigid plastic sleeve covered in synthetic fibres.

When painting is finished it is desirable, for environmental and cost concerns, to clean out the roller sleeve. However the sleeves necessarily hold a great deal of paint, and given the rigid core generally only a small proportion of the sleeve may be squeezed in use, leading to a long and repetitive rinsing process.

Typically cleaning these sleeves takes a great deal of time and is not a desirable task at the end of the chore of painting a ceiling in particular. Many decorators choose to use low quality sleeves and discard them after a single use.

Additionally to environmental and monetary concerns however low value sleeves are typically worse quality, providing a worse finish on paint jobs.

Prior Art

The major development in this area to date has been the development of cost-effectively discardable sleeves. These are partly driven from a decrease in manufacturing costs, however it is becoming a trope that single-use items are damaging, unsustainable and undesirable.

Sum manrof the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a detachable decorating roller sleeve, said sleeve having elastic properties and being washable such that the sleeve may be repeatedly used on a roller.

Ideally therefore the sleeve is fitted to a roller, said roller consisting in use of a handle and rigid tubular core. This sleeve is then provided with paint and said paint is consequently applied by rolling movement of the roller on a surface.

The sleeve is envisaged to firmly grip the core, such that it will not unseat off an end of the roller or ruche inappropriately causing paint application errors. To this end attachment means may be combined or incorporated as appropriate.

These may include extra portions of elastic or resiliently deformable material in defined sections, such as at ends.

Preferably the sleeve is formed of a washable and moisture retaining material such as a cotton based fabric.

This fabric ideally provides fibres that extend away from the sleeve centre in use.

In use the sleeve is placed over a rigid plastic tube, providing at least an outer face which accepts paint and in some embodiments an absorbent inner.

It is envisaged that the sleeve will be consequently stretched over a tube in use. This tube and accompanying handle may be standard or bespoke. it is preferred that a standard tube is used and accordingly the typical embodiments of the sleeve are made to standard sizing.

Varying embodiments may be envisaged including varying lengths of fibres to the outer, for example having a long haired embodiment for certain types of paint finish or paint types, and lamb's wool or nylon providing the outer surface.

For example synthetic sheepskin sleeves may be available, which make a good all-purpose roller finish for covering large areas with emulsion, in particular even uneven surfaces such as woodchip.

Synthetic or real mohair sleeves in contrast may be provided to give a high quality finish and for use with silk emulsion or gloss.

Some embodiments may have inners that hold greater amounts of paint, such as provided with a cellular hollow structure.

Further embodiments may have a largely smooth finish to the sleeve outer to provide a smooth paint finish if required.

Yet further embodiments may provide stippling or any other finish.

In use the sleeve may be removed from the rigid plastic tube that is mounted on a roller The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Ficiures

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device, in relation to a roller.

Detailed Description of FjQures

As Figure 1 shows, the sleeve I is placed onto a roller 2 in use, said roller being attached onto a handle.

The roller is generally rigid plastic and the handle formed in metal and plastic or It is possible to buy separate rollers in most hardware outlets, however it is envisaged that the sleeve will be part of a system incorporating the sleeve with replacement rollers and handles.

Such a system may include powered movement. This may facilitate the use of paint extruding rollers and/or handles.

In this way the sleeve may be perforated in order for said extruded paint to pass along the roller and sleeve to enable fuller coverage and a constant paint application.

The system may include varying lengths of handles, widths and/or diameters of cores or sleeves.

The pictured embodiment of the sleeve has long fibres forming the painting surface.

The pictured embodiment is easily removed from the the roller core, which core is a high friction, ribbed section, preventing the sleeve moving when in use.

The sleeve has elastic neoprene inner and synthetic polyester outer.

A preferred embodiment of the sleeve is composed of long synthetic fibres woven into a rubber or elastomer webbing, said webbing forming a resiliently deformable mesh, wherein paint particles may pass through the mesh and be held between the mesh.

In use the roller is pressed against a surface and the mesh deforms, forcing paint onto the fibres, and for application.

Claims

Claims 1. A detachable decorating roller sleeve, said sleeve having elastic properties and being washable such that the sleeve may be repeatedly used on a roller.
2. A decorating roller sleeve that includes elastic webbing.
3. A decorating roller sleeve that includes rubber webbing.
4. A decorating roller sleeve according to any preceding claim that includes absorbent material.
5. A decorating roller sleeve according to any preceding claim that fits a 9 inch length roller.
6. A decorating roller sleeve according to any preceding claim that fits a 12 inch length roller.
7. A method for decorating including a paint tray, handle, tubular roller and detachable sleeve.
8. A system for decorating including a sleeve according to any preceding claim.