NZ201141A - Electric heating appliance:surface paint remover - Google Patents

Description

201141 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No.: Date: patent arr:cs 2 t MAR 1984 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND/OR RELATING TO PAINT OR THE LIKE REMOVING APPARATUS" 1PRATAP SINGH, of 16 Canterbury Street, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand, a Fijian citizen, hereby declare the invention for which I / pray that a patent may be granted to rne/i^ and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - 201141 The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to paint or the like removing apparatus and/or wallpaper removing apparatus.

The usual method of paint removal in New Zealand has been the use of a blow torch and scraper. The blow torch of course blisters and softens the paint, thereby allowing it to be scraped free. Such a use of the blow torch in situations where sanding or the use of chemical paint removers is not a viable alternatively is however fraught with some difficulty owing to the prospect of fire. It is therefore of some advantage to provide paint removing apparatus capable of blistering the paint and also enabling the scrape removal thereof without the need for an open flame.

Accordingly in one aspect the present invention consists in apparatus for use in heating paint to be removed or wet wallpaper to be removed comprising electrical element means, a heat reflector positioned to one side of said electrical element means, means to prevent the likely contacting of the electrical element means with the painted or wallpapered surface to be heated, handle means to enable the holding and carrying of the remainder of the apparatus, and electrical connection means through said handle means to said electrical element means, 203:141 the construction and arrangement being such that in use the element can be electrically heated and by holding the handle means an operator can hold the electrical element means spaced from the surface to be heated to thereby either melt the paint or steam water impregnated wallpaper.

As used herein "paint" means any surface coating of a kind where heat beneficially assists the stripping thereof.

Preferably said electrical element means is configured substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any of the accom-paning drawings.

Preferably a spacer member is provided to hold the element in position and to ensure the spacing of the reflector therefrom.

Preferably the means to prevent the likely contacting of a surface with the element comprises a spacer member which is attachable to the reflector but which projects beyond the electrical element means on that side thereof remote from said heat reflector.

Preferably a thermally conductive plate is positioned on that side of the electrical element means remote from said heat reflector, which bottom plate if desired can contact the surface to be heated and which can if desired be in lieu of other means to prevent the likely con- ' tacting of the electrical element means with the surface to be heated.

Preferably said bottom plate is connectable to said heat reflector. 201141 Preferably said reflector is formed in stainless steel.

Preferably said handle means is formed as a two part moulding.

Preferably a switch is disposed on or in said handle to allow some control of the heating element.

Preferably said switch has three positions i.e. off, low and high.

Preferably the electrical element means uses from 300 to 1000 watts of electric power and preferably within the range of 450 to 500 watts when at its high heat selection.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of paint stripping which involves presenting apparatus in accordance to the present invention to the surface to be stripped, allowing the electrical heating means to heat the surface and scraping the heated surface coating therefrom.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of removing wallpaper from a wallpapered surface which comprises the steps of applying water to that surface and thereafter presenting apparatus in accordance with the present invention to that surface so as to heat the water in the water impregnated wallpaper and scraping or otherwise removing the wallpaper from the surface as or after the water therein is heated.

Preferably the wallpapered surface is contacted with the bottom plate. 201141 Preferably the water is applied to the wallpaper with a brush.

Preferably the switch of the apparatus is operated on "low" when removing wallpaper.

One preferred form of the present invention will.now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of the preferred form of apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exploded view of the preferred form of the present invention, there being shown in the exploded view a bottom plate and other means to prevent the likely contacting of the electrical element means with the painted or wallpapered surface to be heated, it being clear from the exploded view that one or other of the bottom plate or means to prevent the likely contacting can be engaged to the heat reflector and not both.

In the preferred form of the present invention electrical element means 1 is configured substantially as shown so that the region thereof capable of being covered by a stainless steel heat reflector 2 attains a temperature whereby when spaced from a painted surface by a spacing means 3 can achieve the requisj-te degree of softening of the paint to allow the easy removal thereof with a paint scraper. As can be seen the spacing means 3 includes an upstanding threaded member 4 receivable through a hole 5 on the reflector and engageable with appropriate nut or the like means 6. Preferably the nut 6 is located 201141 within a rotatable portion 7 for aesthetic reasons and to thermally isolate the same so that it can be operated even when the reflector is hot. Preferably the member 7 is formed from polycarbonate.

Also disposed over the element and under the cover 2 is a member 8 to keep the element in position and to ensure an air gap" to the reflector. This member 8 would be spot welded preferably to the reflector.

When it is desired to contact rather than simply radiate onto a surface to be heated instead of the member 3 a bottom plate 9 with its upstanding threaded member 4a would be employed in place of the member 3 with its upstanding member 4. Such a member would be formed from an appropriate conductive material, for example, aluminium or copper.

Preferably the strength of the element over regions 10 is such that no additional structural members are required, and it is therefore possible to locate the distal ends thereof between two parts 11 and 12 of a handle (preferably polycarbonate) which receives along its length a power cable 13 to actuate the element 1 via a three position switch 13 which would be located in the region 14 of the handle component 12. Appropriate screwing or other means would be provided whereby the handle can be locked on to the distal end regions of the element 1 to end up with the resultant configuration as shown in Figure 1.

In use the member 3 would be employed where paint is to be radiated directly from the hot zone of the element. This member keeps 201141 the element away from the paint and therefore minimises the risk of burning the wood and damaging the element. In any event contact with the paint would give rise to an unpleasant odour and would foul the element. Ideally, the element would be operated at its high power setting which preferably draws about 450 to 500 watts. .Where , ... ... wallpaper is to be scraped the base plate 9 would be employed instead of the member 3, and the wallpaper after being hosed, brushed or otherwise wet with water can be readily removed when a lower power setting is employed and the wet wallpaper is contacted with the base plate 9.

Irrespective of whether it is paint or wallpaper being stripped it is envisaged that the apparatus be used in close association with a scraper. In some forms of the present invention an appropriate scraper can be attached to the apparatus in accordance with the present invention or conformed part thereof. Member 3 however, does not constitute a scraper.

It is believed that apparatus in accordance with the present invention is preferable over hot air paint strippers owing to the drastic reduction in weight over such devices. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention is preferable for over head operation owing to its lightness and accordingly it is believed it will have wide spread acceptance.

Claims (15)

201141 - 8 - WHAT ^ CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for use in heating paint to be removed or wet wallpaper to be removed comprising electrical element means, a heat reflector positioned to one side of said electrical element means, means to prevent the direct contact of the electrical element means with the painted or wallpapered surface to be heated, handle means to enable the holding and carrying of the apparatus, and electrical connection means through said handle means to said electrical element means, the construction and arrangement being such that in use the element can be electrically heated and by holding the handle means an operator can hold the electrical element means spaced from the surface to be heated to thereby either melt the paint or steam water impregnated wallpaper.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said electrical element means is configured substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings over at least its actual operative heating region.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein a locating member is provided to hold the element in position and to ensure the spar.ina nf the reflector therefrom - 9 - 301141 i

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means to prevent the direct contact of a surface with the element comprises a spacer member which is attachable to the reflector but which projects beyond the electrical element means on that side thereof remote from said heat reflector.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the means to prevent the direct contact of the electrical means with the surface to be heated comprises a thermally conductive plate positioned on that side of the electrical element means remote from said heat reflector.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 said to said heat reflector. plate is connectable

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said reflector is formed in stainless steel.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said handle means is formed as a two part moulding.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical connection means includes a switch disposed on or in said handle to allow some control of the heating element.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said switch has three positions i.e. off, low and high. If c "E'4 AUG 1986 - 10 - 201141

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said electrical element means uses from 300 to 1000 watts of electric power.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 wherein said element uses a maximum.of 500 watts.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of paint stripping which involves presenting apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to the surface to be stripped, allowing the electrical heating means to heat the surface and scraping the heated surface coating therefrom.

15. A method of removing wallpaper from a wallpapered surface which comprises the steps of applying water to that surface and thereafter presenting apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 to that surface so as to heat the water in the water impregnated wallpaper and scraping or otherwise removing the wallpaper from the surface as or after the water therein is heated. OATED TMis A/ day of J- PARK & SON agents for the applicants