US3196479A

US3196479A - Liquid applicator

Info

Publication number: US3196479A
Application number: US311536A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul E Romoser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-09-25
Filing date: 1963-09-25
Publication date: 1965-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 1982-07-27

Description

July 27, 1965 P. E. ROMOSER LIQUID APPLICATOR Filed Sept. 25, 1963 PA UL E. ROMOS'ER 1N VENTOR [Zia/lu- A T TOR/VF) United States Patent 3,196,479 LIQUlD APILHZATGR Paul E. Rornoser, Windermere Qonrt, Wayne, Pa. Filed Sept. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 311,536 19 Claims. (Cl. -571) This invention relates to liquid applicators and in particular to those which employ a fabric or bristled-type roller which receives the liquid from a source, becomes T saturated therewith, and transfers it to a surface which the roller contacts.

The most common of such applicators is the household paint roller which employs a separate pan as the paint source. More sophisticated applicators comprise a roller and paint source supported on a common means to provide a unitary device. Moreover, various types of paint-pumping means have been provided on some of these attached sources. Whatever the manner be, however, for getting the paint onto the roller, i.e., separate orattached, pressurized or gravity feed source, the problem of excessive paint on the roller and its dripping therefrom eternally plagues the user. Objects of the present invention, therefore, are: to provide a roller-type of paint applicator which does not allow overloading of the roller and consequent dripping of paint therefrom regardless of the roller shape; to provide such an applicator in a form which allows it to be readily adapted for rapid and easy attachment to a variety of paint sources; and to provide a basic non-drip design of roller holder which may be selectively manufactured in a variety of configurations to accommodate rollers of cylindrical, conical, barrel, or any other practical and useful shape.

These and other objects which will become apparent through the following disclosure have been achieved through the discovery that the paint can be applied to a limited portion of the roller surface and contained thereon until the roller is caused to rotate. The particular structural aspect of the present invention which renders the use of this containment practical is a continuous ridge lightly contacting the roller surface and delimiting the portion thereof to which the paint is directly applied from the source. This contact of the ridge with the roller surface is sufficient to prevent any more than a minute amount of paint from leaking to other portions of the surface, but does not prevent easy rotation of the roller.

The composite embodiment of the present invention may be defined as a fluid applicator comprising a body, means on said body rotatably supporting a roller having a convex, pile-like surface, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, portions of said wall means defining a continuous, rigid surface having two opposite portions of concave configuration slidably engaging said convex, pile-like surface of said roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, and connector means on said body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a fluid source. The term pile-like surface as applied to the roller connotes, in reference to the present invention, those roller surface materials of fabric, nap, bristle or pile construction, of animal, plant or synthetic origin which are generally used for applying such fluids as paints. This term also implies the property of resiliency, that is, the tendency of such roller materials to return to :their original configuration after they have been bent, deformed, compressed or the like by the continuous ridge or surface of the present roller holder.

The invention will become further clarified through the following description, claims and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the applicator;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator of FIG. 1 taken along line Z-2 thereof in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the applicator of FIG. 1 taken in the direction of arrow 3;

FIG. 4 is a side view with portions broken away of another form of the applicator attached to a pressurized paint spray can;

FIG. 5 is a top view with portions broken away of the applicator of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view looking toward the paint inlet of another form of the applicator Withportions broken away;

FIG. 7 is a side view with portions broken away of the applicator of FIG. 6 taken in the direction of arrow 7 and rotated counterclockwise 90;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another form of connector for the applicator; and

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section of essentially the same applicator as in FIG. 1, except for a variation in the roller holder which employs only one arm.

Referring to FlGS. 1-3 of the drawing, the applicator comprises a paint roller 10 and a roller holder 12. The roller may be of any conventional structure such as comprising a supporting core 14 of stiff cardboard, metal, or plastic, and fibrous mat or bristle material 16 secured thereto by insoluble adhesive or other suitable means. The core 14 is mounted by friction, adhesive, or other means on

end pieces

18 and 20 of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, or wood provided with

bearing recesses

22 and 24, respectively.

The roller holder 12 comprises a body 26 of any suitable material including metal, but preferably of plastic such as nylon or moldable high-density polypropylene, having a threaded connector 28 providing an inlet port 30 which opens into a chamber 32 defined by

walls

34, 36, and 38 of body 2s and the adjacent roller surface. These walls define a continuous ridge 40' which contacts the roller and'delimits the amount of surface thereof to which paint is directly applied from a source. The source shown in FIG. 1 is a paint-filled, plastic squeeze bottle 42, but such is only representative of an almost infinite variety of useful sources. The roller 10 is rotatably mounted upon

shafts

44 and 46 provided on

arms

48 and 50 integrally formed with or attached by plastic welding or the like to the holder body 26. The

arms

48 and 50 are conveniently of resilient plastic material so that they may be flexed outwardly from the roller ends to remove the

shafts

44 and 46 from the

bearings

22 and 24 of the roller for easy replacement of the roller.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the applicator comprises a hollow, tapered body 52, also preferably of plastic, and having a rectangular, circular, or other convenient crosssectional shape secured at 54 to a connecting cap 56 by plastic welding or other suitable means. The

resilient arms

58 and 60 are integrally molded with or attached by plastic welding or the like to the body 52 and provided with suitable bearing shafts as in the structure of FIG. 1, to conveniently rotatably mount the roller 10. The connector 56 is in the form of a cap provided with an aperture 62 through which the actuating button 64 of a pressurized aerosol-type paint can 66 extends. This cap is provided with a substantially straight flange 68 which securely frictionally fits onto the upper portion 70 of the can.

In FIG. 4, the button 64 is shown in the depressed position and the orifice 72 thereof is aligned with the inlet 74 of chamber 75 in body 52. A wall 76 extending upwardly from the bottom of the inlet end of body 52 assists I the roller surface and the delimitingridge.

ing recesses in the ends of the roller.

in preventing paint from paint overhead structures. I

draining back out of chamber. 75 when the spray can and'applicatorare employed to holder as in FIG. 1 and as in FIG. 7 may be straight or curved in ordervto conveniently reach the subject to In the operation of theapplicator shownin FIGSl-E,

the paint, is supplied through orifice 30 and fills chamber;

32 to provide a steady source of paint to the delimited portion of the roller surface. .As the roller is rotated. the paint willbe carried thereby underneath the ridge 40 to the surface to be painted; Similarly, in the opera.- tion of the applicator of FIGS. 4 and 5, the paint is sprayed through theinlet 74 of body 52 into chamber 75 and onto the delimited portion of the roller surface. The

outer end of body52 by lightly contacting the=roller defines the ridge which delimits the amount ofroller surface directly provided with paint. It is noted that in' each of these applicators the ridge portion of each body" which delimits the portion of the roller to which the paint is applied, does not extendto the outermost edges of the roller.

ping off of the roller when the applicator is held in such a position that the roller is vertical. As the roller rotates,- however-, the I outer portions of the roller gradu- 'ally pick up paint through capillaryaction'and contact with the already-painted surfaces andthereby the full length of the roller is utilized without the normally Because of this the paint is prevented from dripbe painted. The connector 28 of FIG. 1 isshown threaded onto the container 42, the connector 56 of FIG. 4 is shown frictionally fitted onto the, container top, and

"in FIG. 8 a further variation 98 of a connector is shown to be tightly frictionally fitted over 'a'neck 109 of a'container 102 having beads 104 onits outlet to assist in the frictional holding; 'It is apparent to one skilled in the art that many variations in shapes andmeans forproviding the necessary friction for the connector may be employed depending upon the particular container to which'the applicator is to be provided.

I roller 2 on the shaft. is esse'ntiallythefsame as that of 'FIG. 1 andthe parts In theembodiment shown in FIG. 9,'the roller holder .10 6 is providedwith OIIIYOHE arm 108 which is integrally molded with or otherwise fixed to shaft 110.

This shaft exten'ds completely through roller end 112 and, conveniently extends part way; through end 114. A

Shoulder-116 abutsroller end 112 and screw 118labuts end 114- to properly position and rotatably retain the The. operation of this applicator equivalent to those of FIG. 1', are similarly numbered. This form ofapplicator isespecially useful'for; painting shape convenient to the paint source and operator.

attendant condition of excessive paint on the roller edge portions. r a v V It is noted that the delimiting'ridge extends, into the along'the ceiling line and the connector 28,may beof any While the invention has beendescribed with particular "emphasison the application of paints,'it is apparent that bristles or fibrous matof the roller only to the extent V necessary to prevent excessive pain-t leakage. In this way the roller can still readily be rotated by contact, with the subject surface to carry'sutficient paint thereto. The degree ofcontact of the delimiting ridge with the roller may be varied by the applicatormanufacturer to. accord to the particular consistency, etc., of the material to be applied. For example, where a highly viscous paint is to V be applied rapidly to a horizontal surface, the delimiting ridge may even be slightly spacedfrom the roller bristles or fibrous mat. .Moreover, it is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the roller-supporting'armsmay be adjustably mounted on the holder body so that; the

operator may conveniently move the arms'forwardly or rearwardly thereon to vary at willxthe spacing between The composition of the paint which can be applied by the disclosed applicators varieswidely-and in the structure of FIGS. 1-3 canhave a very high pigment andresin concentration.

has a determining effect upon the maximum pigment concentration and viscosity of the paint, and may be trations. Moreover, the paint source may be adapted to supplyingemulsion (latex) type paints to theroller- In the applicator; of FIGS. 4 and 5, the 7 size of orifice 72 of the pressurized can actuator button other liquids such as adhesives and stencil fluids may readily be applied with they present applicator. Moreover, the shape and construction of the 'various parts of the applicator may readily be varied within the spirit and scope of the invention. 7 V I claim:

i 1. A holder fora rollerof a fluid applicatorwherein' the roller has a convex, pile-like surface, said-holder comprising a body, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, portionsof said wall means defining acontinuous, rigid surface having/two opposite portions of .concave configuration, said continuousrigid surface slid- -ably enga'ging'the pile-like surface of the roller at a substantially -.constant, predetermined distance thereinto,

means on'said-body for rotatably supporting the roller such that a portion'of the'pile-like surface thereof at all times slidably'engages said continuous rigid surface, and connectormeans on said body communicating withsaid feed chamber and adapted to connect the'same to a fluid source. a

I adjusted by those skilled in the art to accommodate a ,wide range of paint consistencies and pigment concen- It is apparent thatthe paint-containing feature of the delimiting ridge allows the applicator to be used .in' any .positionoverhead, horizontal, vertical, etc..without havingto worry about paint drip.

The applicator of FIGS. 6 and 7 is essentially of the same construction and operation as that of FIGS.;1 3.

In this embodiment, however, the roller isprovided with .abarrel'or arcuate outer surface which more readily and effectively applies-paint to irregular surfaces such as the corrugated molding shown in FIG. 6. The body por-, tion 84 of the. roller holder is conveniently of a circular cross section for providing thdcontinu'ous delimiting ridge 86. In this constructionthe paint enterschamber 88 through inlet 90 and thence onto the roller surface. The

arms

92 and 94 of the, holder are conveniently of the same resilient construction as those o'fFIGS. l-S- and also have bearing'shafts rotatablyv received. in the bear- The particular shape of the connector portion of the 2. A holder for a paint roller of a. paint applicator wherein'the roller has a convex, pile-like surface, said holder comprising a body, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, portions of said wall means defining a continuous,frigid surfacehaving two opposite ,portionsrof conca ve configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably' engaging'the pile-like surface of the roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, means on said body for rotatably supporting the roller such that a portion of the pile-like surface thereof at all times slidably engages said continuous, rigid opposite portions of concave configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably' engaging the pile-like surface of the roller'at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, means onsaid body for rotatably supporting the roller such that a portion of the pile-like surface thereof at all times slidably engages said continuous rigid surface, and connector ,means. onsaid body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a fluid source.

4. A holder for a paint roller of a paint applicator wherein the roller has a convex, pile-like surface, said holder comprising a body, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, outer, peripheral portions of said wall means defining a continuous, rigid surface having two opposite portions of concave configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably engaging the pile-like surface of the roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, means on said body for rotatably supporting the roller such that a portion of the pilelike surface thereof at all times slidably engages said continuous rigid surface, and connector means on said body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a paint source.

5. A fluid applicator comprising a body, means on said body rotatably supporting a roller having a convex, pile-like surface, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, portions of said wall means defining a continuous, rigid surface having two opposite portions of concave configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably engaging said convex, pile-like surface of said roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, and connector means on said body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a fluid source.

6. A fluid applicator comprising a body, means on said body removably, rotatably supporting a roller having a convex, pile-like surface, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, portions of said wall means defining a continuous, rigid surface having two opposite portions of concave configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably engaging said convex, pile-like surface of said roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, and connector means on said body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a fluid source.

7. A fluid applicator comprising a body, means on said body removably, rotatably supporting a roller having a convex, pile-like surface, said means comprising a pair of arms positioned at opposite portions of said body and being flexible in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said roller, each of said arms having mounting means cooperating with mounting means on the adjacent end of said roller to thereby provide the removable, rotatable support for said roller, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, portions of said wall means defining a continuous, rigid surface having two opposite portions of concave configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably engaging said convex, pile-like surface of said roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, and connector means on said body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a fluid source.

3. A paint applicator comprising a body, means on said body rotatably supporting a paint roller having a convex, pile-like surface, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, portions of said wall means defining a continuous, rigid surface having two opposite portions of concave configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably engaging said convex, pile-like surface of said roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, and connector means on said body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a paint source.

9. A fluid applicator comprising a body, means on said body rotatably supporting a roller having a convex, pile-like surface, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, outer peripheral portions of said wall means defining a continuous, rigid surface having two opposite portions of concave configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably engaging said convex, pile-like surface of said roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, and connector means on said body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a fluid source.

10. A paint applicator comprising a body, means on said body, rotatably supporting a paint roller having a convex pile-like surface, wall means on said body providing a feed chamber, outer peripheral portions of said wall means defining a continuous, rigid surface having two opposite portions of concave configuration, said continuous rigid surface slidably engaging said convex, pilelike surface of said roller at a substantially constant, predetermined distance thereinto, and connector means on said body communicating with said feed chamber and adapted to connect the same to a paint source.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,654,107 10/53 Magoon 15-575 3,028,868 4/62 Tandler 15571 X 3,070,824 1/63 Martin 15-571 X 3,103,814 9/63 Borisof 15571 X 3,104,413 9/63 Nelson 15-571 X 3,128,494 4/64 Hohmann 15573 3,138,814 6/64 Carrona 15--573 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A HOLDER FOR ROLLER OF A FLUID APPLICATOR WHEREIN THE ROLLER HAS CONVEX, PILE-LIKE SURFACE, SAID HOLDER COMPRISING A BODY, WALL MEANS ON SAID BODY PROVIDING A FEED CHAMBER, PORTIONS OF SAID WALL MEANS DEFINING A CONTINUOUS, RIGID SURFACE HAVING TWO OPPOSITE PORTIONS OF CONCAVE CONFIGURATION, SAID CONTINUOUS RIGID SURFACE SLIDABLY ENGAGING THE PILE-LIKE SURFACE OF THE ROLLER AT A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT, PREDETERMINED DISTANCE THEREINTO, MEANS ON SAID BODY FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING THE ROLLER SUCH THAT A PORTION OF THE PILE-LIKE SURFACE THEREOF AT ALL TIMES SLIDABLY ENGAGES SAID CONTINUOUS RIGID SURFACE, AND CONNECTOR MEANS ON SAID BODY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID FEED CHAMBER AND ADAPTED TO CONNECT THE SAME TO A FLUID SOURCE.