US2940106A

US2940106A - Fountain liquid applicator with magnet ring valve seat

Info

Publication number: US2940106A
Application number: US738209A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cecil L Hopkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-05-27
Filing date: 1958-05-27
Publication date: 1960-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1977-06-14

Description

June 14, 1960 c. L. HOPKINS 2,940,106

FOUNTAIN LIQUID APPLICATOR-WITH MAGNET RING VALVE SEAT Filed May 27, 1958 INVENTOR. CEc/L L. HOPK/NS BY BM, 5W

Hm M

4 TTOPA/E Y5 United States Patent FOUNTAIN LIQUID APPLICATOR WITH MAGNET RING VALVE SEAT Cecil L. Hopkins, W. 3428 Walton, Galion, Ohio Filed May 27, 1958, Ser. No. 738,209

' I 9 Claims. c1. 15-139) This invention relates to liquid applicator devices of the type in which a brush or other yieldable liquid applying element is stored interiorly of an hermetically sealed container for the liquid, and the container has a discharge opening which is unsealed and through which the brush or applying element is projected for use.

In applicators of the character referred to it is desirable to provide means for holding the brush in projected use position so that the brush is not forced back into the container by the slight endwise pressure which is incidental to using the brush in applying the liquid.

In copending application for Patent Serial No. 556,631, filed December 30, 1955, on Retractable Brush Applicator with Magnetic Brush Retainer, now Patent 2,849,- 738, dated September 2, 1958, I have disclosed a device in which a nonmagnetic plastic tubular nozzle body fast on a liquid container defines a passage in which a brush assembly is disposed, the brush assembly being axially shiftable in the passage by gravitational action between projecteduse position and retracted storage position. A magnet embedded in the plastic nozzle of the applicator attracts a magnetic brushessembly to hold the latter in projected use position against the application to the brush assembly of external forces of predetermined magnitude tending to move thebrush assembly into retracted storage position when the device is disposed with the nozzle discharge directed either upwardly or downwardly. The weight of the brush assembly, when the'device isdisposed with. such discharge directed upwardly and with the brush assembly in projected use position, is such that upon movement of the'brush assembly a predetermined distance away from the magnet, the brush assembly is shiftable by gravitational action from use to storage positions. The present invention aimsto improve such gravity actuated, magnetically controlled applicators. One objecti've is concerned with the particular shape and position of the magnetic element in the nonmagnetic nozzle. Such element, as presently conceived, provides a tapered valve seat directly engaged by the brush assembly. More specifically, and as a further objective, such valve seat magnetic element is formed with a tapered surface which delineates the extent of the main or relatively large diameter portion of the nozzle through passage and of the minor or relatively small diameter discharge portion of such passage which extends from the tapered surface valve seat to the discharge orifice of the nozzle. Such tapered surface of the magnetic element also serves to engage the end of the tuft carrying element of the brush assembly in centering and guiding such tuft carrying element as the latter is advanced through the valve seat opening in movement of the brush assembly to projected use position.

As a specialized feature directed to improvement in the control over the discharge of liquid, the invention provides the combination of a relatively long tapered discharge passage portion and a brush holding element 'ice of the stem which, upon being shifted axially todifi'erent positions in the discharge passage, modulates the gravity How of liquid out the discharge and onto the brush for use.

The best known mode of practicing the principles of the invention is shown in a preferred embodiment i1- lustrated in the accompanying drawings, which 'form part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a foreshortened longitudinal sectional view of a gravity actuated, magnetically controlled applicator having a ring magnet embedded in the plastic nozzle of the container as a valve seat and so as to hold the steel brush-carrying stem in projected use position, this view showing the brush assembly retracted and a s'ealing cap in place over the discharge outlet of the nozzle;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional detail showing the nozzle end of the applicator in inverted use position with the cap removed and the brush projected through the discharge outlet and the steel valve end of the brush carrier seated against the embedded magnet;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail taken transversely through the nozzle in the plane of the magnet represented by line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional detail, similar to Fig. 2, but enlarged to show details.

The present invention isof utility in applicators having containers of various shapes and constructions but, for simplicity, is illustrated in connection with applicators having containers comprising a receptacle 1 conveniently formed of aluminum as by drawing into substantially cylindrical tube shape having a closed end 2 which constitutes a bottom for the applicator device in the upright or storage position of Fig. 1. The other end of the tubular receptacle receives as by a sealing press fit the generally cylindrical base end 3 of a tubular nozzle member 4 molded of a suitable'no'nmagnetic material such as phenolformaldehyde, a urea resin or a hard plastic composition.

Extending axially through the circular sectioned nozzle body is a

passage

5, 6 for the liquid to be applied by the device, which passage accommodates an axially movable brush assembly comprising a stem and a brush '7. The stem is formed of soft iron or steel having good magnetic properties and may. include a relatively long rod portion 8 of uniform circular section and a relatively short cylindrical brush holding and valve portion 9. The end of the brush holding portion is bored axially to receive as by a press fit aplastic element 10 in which the brush bristles 7 are embedded. Outer end portion 11 of the nozzle body member 4 is tapered and terminates in a discharge opening 12 through which the brush is projected for use and through which liquid flows onto the brush when the device is being used to apply the liquid to the, surface to be covered. a

When the device is not in use the discharge opening 12 is closed by a thimblelike cap 14 which is received over the nozzle member 4 and held in place as by :a threaded joint comprising internal threads in skirt portion 15 of the cap and external threads 16 on the nozzle body adjacent the base 3'of the latter. Circular disc 17 of deformable plastic material such as polyethylene is retained in a recess in bottom 18 of the closure cap 14 and is engaged by tip end 19 of the nozzle body to seal the discharge opening when the closure is tightened in place.

At the juncture of the main and

discharge portions

5, 6 of the nozzle passage a magnet 26 is embedded in the plastic composition or other nonmagnetic material of which the nozzle body 4 is formed. It is advantageous and economical to form the magnet of circular sectioned magnetic wire bent to circular or ring shape. The ring -its suitably magnetized to exhibit a high coercive force.

Spaced ends 30, 31 of the split ring magnet thus provided are polarized north and south as indicated in Fig. .3. The

magnet, in the form of a completely annular ring magnetiz'ed axially, a plurality of arcuate segmental magnets Because of the relatively small size of the applicator, the circular sectioned nozzle 4 having an external diameter of the'order of about A inch, the magnetic element 26 is necessarily very small. Thus, a magnet of relatively high coercive force is necessary to hold the brush assembly in projected use position when the device is held with the brush 7 directed upwardly in painting the underside of an article. In the case of a brush assembly having the main rod portion 8 and brush holding portion 9 of the stem .formed of cold rolled steel, weighing from about .15 ounce 'to about .25 ounce, a circular split ring magnetized element 26 formed of aluminum-nickel-iron magnetic wire material of the character referred to and of the order of about ,6 inch diameter, provides sufiicient magnetic force to 'hold the brush assembly in the projected use position with thebrush 7 directed upwardly to permit painting the undersurface of an appliance, article of furniture or a vehicle fender. In a split ring magnet of such size the gap between the

poles

30,31 is from about to about A inch.

'In endwise travel of the brush assembly projecting the brush, and likewise in reverse travel retracting the brush, the rod portion 8 of the stem is guided by a flat circular Washer 23 of fiber or plastic press fitted into an enlarged circular sectioned or counterbored portion 24 of the nozzle passage main portion located at the base end 3 of the nozzle. This enlarged passage portion 24 opens axially through the base end of the nozzle body and constitutes the fluid receiving opening of the nozzle. The washer 23 has a loose fit about the stem of the brush assembly, providing an annular clearance through which the liquid flows from the receptacle tube 1 into the interior of the nozzle when the applicator is inverted. In addition to this annular clearance between the centering washer 23 and the stem of the brush assembly, which clearance constitutes a metering orifice for regulating the rate of flow of liquid to the main portion 5 of the nozzle passage, the inner margin of the washer may be formed with radial notches 25 that are continuous with such annular clearance to augment the flow of the liquid in the case of a relatively viscous material such as lacquer.

. 9. It is preferable that the shoulder 29 be so located on r the stem that in the retracted position of the brush outer end 33 of the plastic nonmagnetic brush holder is .spaced inwardly of the nozzle beyond the valve seat surface 27. In thus withdrawing the plastic brush holder 16 from the circular opening through the magnet '26, this being the opening that defines the inner or entrance end of the discharge passage portion 6, such inner end opening is relatively unobstructed by the plastic portion 10 of the stem and return flow of liquid from the brush and the discharge portion 6 of the nozzle passage into the main passage portion 5 is facilitated.

When the device is to be used to apply touch-up lacquer or paint to an appliance or automobile body in covering scratches or other surface blemishes or marks, the closure cap 14 is first unscrewed and removed from the nozzle 4. The device is then inverted or upended to direct downwardly the discharge opening .12 of the nozzle. The brush assembly in the upended device then drops by gravity to the projected use position of 'Fig. 2, the rate of dropping depending upon the viscosity of the paint, lacquer or other liquid with which the device is charged and the quantity of such liquid remaining in the passage portion 5 from the preceding use of the device. The limit of axial movement of the brush assembly in thus projecting the brush for use is determined by direct engagement of the circular valve edge corner 20 of the magnetic element or brush holding portion 9 of the stem against a valve seat which comprises the tapered toroid or arcuately curved metal or metal alloy surface 27 of the magnetic element 26 and a similarly curved surface 32 on that portion of the non-magnetic plastic material of the nozzle body which fills the space between the

pole ends

30, 31 of the magnet. Such direct metal-to-metal contact between the magnetic elements of the nozzle and the stem obtains magnetic forces of high efiiciency to hold the parts together and to retain the brush in the projected use position. In the case of the split ring magnet shown, the metal of the stem portion 9 bridges the gap and constitutes an armature between the north-south magnetic poles.

Another advantage of the arcuately curved surface 27 V of the magnetic element 26 is that such surface guides and centers forward or outer end 33 of the plasticbrush holder 10 of the stem when the latter is advanced into the relatively small discharge portion 6 of the nozzle passage from the larger main passage portion 5 in projecting the brush for use.

After the outer end 33 of the plastic brush holder 10 of the stem enters the discharge portion 6 of the nozzle passage in shifting the brush assembly from storage to use position, engagement of the stem end 33 against the tapered wall of the passage further and progressively centers the stem on the axis of the nozzle with the result that the valve edge corner 20 engages the valve seat 27 within a relatively narrow predetermined circular zone.

At the projected limit of movement of the stem the extreme outer end of the plastic brush holder portion 10 is located in the discharge opening 12 substantially but not completely closing the latter and stabilized against lateral displacement in painting by engagement with the walls of the opening.

The bristles of the brush tuft 7 are sufficiently stiff so that when using the device with the nozzle directed downwardly and more paint or lacquer is wanted on the brush, endwise or axial pressure can be applied by pressing the bristles against the surface being painted to overcome the forces of gravity and magnetic attract-ion holding the valve edge 20 against the magnetic surface 27 of the valve seat, thereby allowing liquid to flow into the discharge portion 6 of the passage from the main passage portion 5. Since the discharge passage 6 tapers or decreases in cross sectional area from the valve seat to the discharge opening 12, the area of an annular orifice defined by the tapered wall of the passage and the circular end 33 of the stem portion 10 can be varied by shifting the stem axially relative to the nozzle. The more the operator retracts the stem into the nozzle by endwise pressure on the brush, the greater is the area of the annular discharge orifice about the stem end 33. When the desired charge of liquid has been received on the brush, the operator :lets up on the endwise pressure, allowing the brush assembly to return by gravity and magnetic force to the fully projected'use position in which the discharge portion 6 of the nozzle passage is sealed from the main portion 5 by the engagement of the valve edge 20 against the seat.

The clearance about or fit of the outer end 33 of the stem within the discharge opening 12 of the nozzle depends upon the viscosity of the liquid intended to be dispensed by the device. In the case of a thin liquid such as a stain, the fit is relatively close, sufficient to prevent flooding when the valve edge 20 is displaced from the seat 27 in use and as described above. In the case of a relatively thick or highly viscous liquid such as a pigmented paint or lacquer, the fit is relatively loose, the periphery of the stem end 33 being separated from the wall of the discharge opening 12 by an annular clearance even when the stem is fully projected in use. The useful feature of the arrangement described is that the area of the annular discharge orifice is varied in proportion to the axial displacement of the stem so that the user readily modulates the flow of the replenishing charge of liquid onto the brush and, when the desired charge is obtained, shuts off the flow from the main passage 5 by allowing the valve edge corner 20 to seat against the magnet.

After using the device the brush assembly is retracted, the device, if in use in the nozzle down position, being first upended so that the discharge opening 12 is directed upwardly. Retraction of the brush assembly to the storage position of Fig. 1 is effected by gravity after first disengaging the magnetic portion or element 9 of the stem from the magnet 26 suificiently to overcome the magnetic force that holds the parts together. For example, in an applicator proportioned as shown in the drawings, having parts as described above, a valve seat magnet and a stem of the size and weight mentioned, the magnetic force is overcome and the brush assembly drops by' gravity in the upended device when the valve edge corner2tl is displaced axially from about & inch to about My inch from the magnet 26, this being less than A of the total travel of the brush assembly between its limits of movement; An optimum displacement for freeing the stem in the upended position is of the order of about inch in such an applicator.

Such endwise displacement of the stem to dislodge it from the magnet and allow it to gravitate to storage. position is readily effected by an endwise tap against the bottom 2 of the container 'or by endwise pressure on the projecting brush.

The discharge portion 6 of the nozzle passage, which has a length at least about twice, preferably three times "its minimum diameter, is of much less cross sectional area than the'main passage portion 5 and is slightly tapered toward the discharge opening'lZ at its'forward end. Thus the walls of the discharge passage portion 6 closely'confine, shape together and straighten the bristles or hairs of the brush tuft-7 when the latter is retracted to 'the storage position of Fig. .1 so that the next time the brush is projected for use it emerges from the nozzle in they desired straight compact condition.

The tip end w of the nozzle 4 is spaced axially beyond the discharge opening 12, the end of the nozzle being formed with a tapered or frusto-conical mouth or cup 34 that extends outwardly beyond the discharge opening and terminated the nozzle passage. In the upended storage position of the device the mouth 34 provides a receptacle that retains liquid wiped off therbristles of the brush 7 as the latter retracts to the storage position. As

shown in Fig; l the brush tuft 7 is of such length, /2 inch in the applicator described, that the brush is drawn completely into the discharge portion 6 of the nozzle passage to completely clear the mouth 34. Thus paint or lacj quer wiped off the descending brush settles down in the tapered mouth and follows the brush tuft into the dis- :charge portion of the passage suificiently to eliminate overflowing of the end cap 34 when the cap 14 is applied 'fsealingly against the nozzle end 19.

""" The axial extent of the magnetic element 9 of th tern is terminated atthe valveedge corner 20 although non-magnetic portions of the stem comprising the plastic brush holder 10 and the brush tuft 7 extend forward from the valve seat 27 through and beyond the discharge opening 12. The lines of magnetic force between the magnet 26 and the stern are thus concentrated in that part of the stem which lies inwardly of the valve seat, this feature obtaining maximum magnetic attraction between the parts and permitting the use of a ring magnet 26 of relatively small size. 7

To embed the magnet 26 in the desired predetermined location during the molding of the plastic tubular nozzle body 4, the magnet is mounted on the core of the mold, the latter being formed with a circumferentially extending shoulder that matches the toroid shape of the surface 27 of the magnet ring 26 so that the magnet ring is readily located in predetermined position on the core before the latter is inserted into the mold. The circumferential shoulder on the molding core is completely circular in extent to allow the plastic material to flow and bridge the gap between the magnet poles or ends 30, 31.

The present invention thus provides a specialized improvement in a liquid applicator of the type in which an assembly comprising an elongated stem and a brush tuft or equivalent deformable applicator on one end of the stem is actuated by gravity for axial movement in the longitudinal through passage of a tubular dispensing nozzle, the brush assembly being shiftable between a use position in which the brush projects from the discharge opening of the nozzle at one end of the passage and a normal storage position in which the brush is retracted wholly Within the passage. The improvement comprises the combination of a non-magnetic nozzle body, a magnetic element carried by and as a part of the brush assembly and a magnetic element embedded in the body to provide a magnetic valve seat that divides the nozzle passage into main and discharge portions and provides a tapering surface directly engaged by a circular edge corner of a valve portion of the brush assembly magnetic element to seal the nozzle passage.

The direct contact between the magnetic elements, one being magnetized, results in optimum magnetic 'efliciency and the tapered shape of the exposed surface of the magnetic valve seat aids in automatic centering of the valve to the best sealing position relative to the seat. Additional features relating to centering of the brush assembly and modulation of the liquid flow in use also characterize the invention.

In accordance with the patent statutes the principles of the present invention may be utilized in various ways, numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is given merely for purpose of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claims to the specific details disclosed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, limited only to the extent required by law, is:

1. A liquid applicator device comprising a hollow container having an elongated nonmagnetic tubular nozzle with base and tip ends, asubstantially annular magnetic element secured within the nozzle at a point spaced from both ends, said element dividing the interior of the nozzle into and defining an axial valve opening between a main passage portion which extends to and opens axially through the base end and a discharge passage portion having an axial length at least twice its minimum transversedirnension which extends to and opens axially through the tip end; a brush assembly extending axially in the passage portions, said assembly comprising a stem including a and extending axially themfrom; the assembly being shiftable axially in the nozzle between use and storage posi- 'tions, the 'valve element engaging the annular magnetic element to locate the'assernbly axially, the holder extending through and being substantially coextensive in length with the discharge passage portion, and the brush project- "ing axially through thedischarge opening in the use position; the valve surface being spaced toward the base end from the annular element, the entire length of the holder being withdrawn from the discharge passage portion and located wholly in the main passage portion and the brush being wholly retracted into-the nozzle in said storage position; the major portion of the axial length of the brush being disposed in and closely surrounded by the wall of the discharge passage portion in said storage position to compact, straighten and mold to shape the brush tuft upon each retraction; said annular element having a tapered seat surf-ace directly engaged by the circular surface'of the valve element in the use position to seal the passage portions from one another, one of said magnetic elements being magnetized to influence the other, said assembly being shiftable from storage to use positions by gravity when the device is disposed with the discharge openingdirected downwardly, the magnetic force between the directly engaged elements holding the assembly in the use position against external forces of predetermined magnitude imposed on the assembly tending to move the latter to the storage position when the device is disposed With the discharge opening directed either upwardly or downwardly, the weight of the assembly, when the device is disposed with the discharge opening directed upwardly and with the assembly in use position being such that when the surface of the valve element is moved a predetermined distance from the seat surface of the annular element, the assembly is shiftable by gravitational action from said use position to said storage position, the stem throughout its length within the nozzle being of less cross-sectional area than the main passage portion to provide an annular clearance for liquid, and the nonmagnetic holder being engageable with the tapered seat surface to guide such holder through the valve opening and with the wall of the discharge passage portion to center the assembly on the nozzle axis as the magnetic valve element moves into engagement with the annular magnetic element in the shifting of the assembly from storage to use positions.

2. An applicator device as in claim 1 in which the discharge passage portion'and said other end of the brush holder are of similar cross sectional shape and such dischargepassage portion tapers toward the discharge opening, the wallof the passage and the periphery of said other end of the holder defining an annular liquid discharge orifice surrounding the holder in the use position and variablein areauponaxial movement of the brush assem- -b'ly in the nozzle -to modulate gravitational flow of liquid onto the projected brush from the nozzle.

3. A liquid dispensing and applying device of the retractable applicator type comprising a hollow container having a nonmagnetic tubular dispensing nozzle, said "nozzle being formed with an axial passage through which liquid-is 'dispended from the interior of the container, saidpassage having an inner-end in communication with the interior of the container and an outer end discharge open'ing, an applicator assembly disposed in the nozzle passage,-said assemblycomprising a stem including a magarctic-metal element formed with a circular valve surface, 'asubstantially circular-torus shaped magnetic metal element partially embedded in the nonmagnetic nozzle and having a substantially circular toroidally curved valve 'seat 'sur-face portion exposed in the nozzle passage at a point spaced inwardly from the discharge opening, one ot said-magnetic elements being magnetized to influence the mther the circular valve surface on the metal element :of the stem being adapted to make direct metal to metal substantially circular contact with the toroidal valve seat surface portion of the partially embedded metal element substantially to seal the nozzle pass-age, a deformable applicator fast to one end of and aligned with the stem, the applicator assembly being shiftable axially in the nozzle passage between a use position in which the valve surface and the valve seat are magnetically held together in effecting said seal of the nozzle passage with the deformable applicator projecting from the discharge opening and a normal storage position in which the valve surface is withdrawn from the valve seat and the deformable applicator is retracted wholly within the nozzle passage, the applicator assembly being shiftable from said storage position by gravitational action on said assembly when the device is disposed with the discharge opening facing downwardly, the magnetic force between the directly contacting metal elements tending to .hold the applicator in said use position against external forces of predetermined magnitude imposed on the applicator assembly tending .to move the latter to said storage position when the device is disposed with said discharge opening facing either upwardly or downwardly, and the weight of the applicator assembly, when the device is disposed with said discharge opening facing upwardly and with the applicator assembly in use position being such that when the magnetic element of the applicator assembly is moved a predetermined distance from the magnetic element embedded in the nozzle, the applicator assembly is shiftable by gravitational action from said use position into said storage position.

4. An applicator device as claimed in claim 1 in which the annular magnetic element is magnetized and in the form of a split ring having spaced confronting ends constituting poles.

5. An applicator device as claimed in claim 4 in which an integral portion of the nonmagnetic nozzle is disposed between the pole ends of the annular element and has a surface flush with the tapered seat surface of the annular element.

6. An applicator device as claimed in claim 1 in which the annular magnetic element comprises a magnetized split ring of circular section embedded in the nozzle and having a toroidal surface a major portion of which is covered by the material of the nozzle and a minor portion of which constitutes the tapered valve seat surface.

7. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the circular magnetic element comprises a split ring magnet having spaced ends constituting its poles.

8. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the major portion of the surface of the circular magnetic element embedded in and covered by the material of the nozzle ody.

9. A liquid applying device comprising a hollow container having a nonmagnetic tubular dispensing nozzle, said nozzle being formed with an axial passage through which liquid is dispensed from the interior of the container, said passage having an inner end in communication with the interior of the container and an outer end discharge-opening, an applicator assembly disposed in the nozzle passage, said assembly comprising a stem including a magnetic element formed with a circular valve surface, asubstantially circular split ring magnet embedded in the nonmagnetic nozzle and having a substantially circular valve seat surface portion exposed in the nozzle passage at a point spaced inwardly from the discharge opening, the circular valve surface on the stem element being adapted to make direct metal to metal substantially circular contact with the valve seat surface portion of the embedded ring magnet substantially to seal the nozzle passage, a deformable applicator fast to one end of and aligned with the stem, the applicator assembly being shiftable axially in the nozzle passage between a use position in which the valve surface and the valve seat are magnetically held together in effecting said seal of the nozzle passage with the deformable applicator pro- ;jeoting :from the discharge opening and a .normal storage Q position in which the valve surface is withdrawn from the valve seat and the deformable applicator is retracted wholly within the nozzle passage, the applicator assembly being s'hiftable from said storage position by gravitational action on said assembly when the device is disposed with the discharge opening facing downwardly, the magnetic force between the directly contacting stern element and ring magnet holding the applicator in said use position against external forces of predetermined magnitude imposed on the applicator assembly tending .to move the latter to said storage position when the device is disposed with said discharge opening facing either upwardly or downwardly, and the weight of the applicator 10 assembly, when the device is disposed with said discharge opening facing upwardly and with the applicator assembly in use position being such that when the magnetic element of the applicator assembly is moved a predetermined distance from the ring magnet surface, the applicator assembly is shiftable by gravitational action from said use position into said storage position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,485,494 Jockers Oct. 18, 1949 2,847,690 Edelstone et al Aug. 19, 1958- 2,849,738 Hopkins Sept. 2, 1958