JPS6271570A - Liquid applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a liquid applicator, such as a paint applicator.

A typical hand-held paint brush includes a handle and a brush head. The brush head usually comprises a number of bristles arranged in the form of a brush suitable for applying paint and set in a pedestal permanently attached to the handle.Various variations of the conventional paint brush have been proposed. . For example, it has been proposed to provide one or more conduits within the brush head through which the paint applied to the object may be supplied directly from an external source. The external supply source is, for example, a paint container, such as supplied by a paint manufacturer, and the paint is supplied by an external conduit to a conduit within the brush head.

The conduits of the brush head are usually flexible so that they can flex within the bristles during painting, and their orifices are provided in the brush head so that the paint can easily reach the application surface of the brush.

A disadvantage of the above-mentioned modified paint brushes is that the conduits provided in the brush head are of small diameter and are therefore susceptible to becoming blocked during use, for example by particulate matter present in the paint. Additionally, the conduit orifices tend to become clogged and once the paint is applied, are not easy to clean and the remaining paint begins to dry. Similar drawbacks are likely to occur when the applicator head is of a related type, such as a pad head or a roller head.

The inventors have devised an applicator that significantly overcomes the blockage and cleaning difficulties present in the above-mentioned direct-feed paintbrushes. It can also be used to apply. In a preferred form, the liquid to be applied is contained within an applicator, which may be hand-held.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid applicator for applying a liquid to an object, the applicator comprising a main body element and an application head element having an application surface, each element engaging the other elements in a cumulative manner. and is suitable for easy separation from other elements, the body element comprising a liquid supply conduit having at least one orifice extending therein and within the applicator head when the two elements are engaged. A liquid applicator is provided in which liquid is forced from an orifice into an applicator head and subsequently received by an applicator surface.

Preferably, the liquid applied to the object is contained within the body element. However, the liquid can also be contained in a container external to the body element and the liquid supply conduit of the body element can be connected to the external container by an external conduit. The liquid to be applied to the object is preferably contained in a separate container surrounded by the body element; the liquid is conveyed from the reservoir to the orifice of the supply conduit by various devices, such as a pump device. The reservoir can be rigid or deformable. The body element can be of any shape, but is preferably of elongated shape.

The cross-sectional area of the body element can be constant or vary in the longitudinal direction and can be, for example, circular, oval, oval or rectangular. The body element is preferably suitable for hand-holding, and the primary consideration regarding shape is the comfort and ease of holding the body element. In one preferred construction, liquid is forced out of the orifice of the liquid supply conduit by a finger or thumb actuated device. For example, a pump device connected to the reservoir and to the liquid supply conduit can be actuated by a finger or thumb actuated pushbutton to force liquid out of the orifice. Although the orifice is preferably provided at the end of the liquid supply conduit, one or more orifices may also be provided within the applicator head. In one embodiment of the liquid supply conduit, the liquid supply conduit is substantially rigid, but may also be flexible.

The applicator head elements can comprise, for example, brush, dome, dome, double head or roller heads, each of which has an applicator surface which is brought into contact with the object to be coated.

Preferably, the applicator head comprises bristles held on a platform, and the orifice of the liquid supply conduit is provided in these bristles.

To application, the hood element can be releasably engaged to the body element by various known devices, such as screws, a locking spring mechanism, or a bayonet-type attachment.

The main east structural element of the two elements is relatively light but strong material,
The application surface of the application head, which is preferably made of a plastics material for example, can be used in the usual way, such as brushes, pans and rollers.

When the applicator is not in use, the orifice of the liquid supply conduit is subject to undesirable ignition of the liquid and the buildup of solids that occurs around the orifice due to evaporation of volatile components of the liquid and consequent deposition of solid components in the liquid. In order to avoid this, it is preferable that a tight-fitting plug be fitted.

Preferably, the application surface of the application head is protected by a removable cover.

A suitable form of the applicator according to the invention includes: 1. an elongated body element having a cross-section such that it can be held between a finger and a thumb and suitable for containing the liquid to be applied therein; 2. a removable body element whose body converges at one end to form an orifice through which liquid is forced out when pressure is applied by a pressurizing device integral with the body; a brush head element, wherein the base is adapted to releasably engage the body element, and the orifice of the body element is within the brush head.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an elongated body element 1 comprises a barrel-shaped main portion 2 enclosing a reservoir (not shown) containing paint or similar liquid, and a shaped portion 3 for comfortable gripping by the hand. The retaining arrangement between the 0-body element 1 and the brush blade 4 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, normally pushed to the inoperative position,
Finger actuated button 5 forces paint from a reservoir (not shown) through liquid supply conduit 6 and out of orifice 7.
0 Detachable plug that can be pressed into the working position 8
seals the orifice 7 when the applicator is not in use.

Referring to FIG. 3, after use the brush head element 4 is at point 9.
The end of the liquid supply conduit of the body element, which can be removed from the body element l by tightening to facilitate cleaning of the brush, can also be cleaned from the outside before inserting the plug 8.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external side view of an applicator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view similar to FIG. 1 but shown partially in section to illustrate the relationship of the liquid supply conduits of the body element to the applicator head element; Figure 3 is viewed perpendicularly to Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 3 is a partially sectional side view of the applicator showing the retention device between the two elements; l--Body element, 4- Brush head element. 6--Liquid supply conduit, 7--Orifice procedure amendment (method) October 16, 1986

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A liquid applicator for applying a liquid to an object, the applicator comprising a main body element and an application head element having an application surface, each element actively engaging with other elements. the body element has a liquid supply conduit extending therein and having at least one orifice in the applicator head when the two elements are engaged; A liquid applicator comprising: a liquid applicator in which liquid is forced from an orifice into an applicator head and subsequently received by an application surface. 2. The liquid to be applied to the object is contained within the body element;
An applicator according to claim 1. 3. A liquid applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid to be applied to the object is contained in a separate reservoir surrounded by the body element. 4. A liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main body element is of elongated shape. 5. Claim 1 in which the applicator is suitable for being held by hand
The liquid applicator according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. A liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the liquid is forced out of the orifice of the liquid supply conduit by a finger or thumb operated device. 7. A liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the orifice is provided at the end of the liquid supply conduit. 8. A liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the applicator head comprises bristles held on a stand, and the orifice is provided in the bristles. 9. A liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the orifice is closable by a plug. 10. The applicator is for applying paint;
A liquid applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 9.