WO2011155843A1

WO2011155843A1 - Paint tool for cutting-in, and method of doing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2011155843A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050422
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maron Richard Zinser; Gordon Roger Hobeijn
Original assignee: Maron Richard Zinser; Gordon Roger Hobeijn
Priority date: 2010-06-10
Filing date: 2011-06-10
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: NL2004869C2; EP2600749A1

Abstract

A paint tool (1), comprising a paint reservoir (2) defining an interior paint storage space (4); a nozzle (6) that is connected to the paint reservoir and that defines a passage (8) via which the interior paint storage space (4) is in fluid communication with a paint outflow opening (16) of the nozzle; and a brush (18) including a plurality of bristles (20), said brush being provided in the passage of the nozzle such that at least some bristle ends (22) protrude from the paint outflow opening. Also disclosed is a method of cutting-in, using the paint tool.

Description

Title: Paint tool for cutting-in, and method of doing the same

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of paint tools and painting, and more in particular to a paint tool for cutting-in, and a method of doing the same.

Background

"Cutting-in" (Dutch: "besnijden") is the act of painting a sharp line where two edges join, such as where a ceiling and a wall come together or a window frame meets a window pane. In the painter's trade cutting-in is considered to be one of the more difficult and painstaking tasks. Amateur painters often use masking tape to cover areas that they do not want to paint. Properly applying (and later removing) the masking tape, however, is cumbersome and time-consuming. This is why craftsmen prefer to cut-in freehand. Still, the precise nature of the process renders it slow and prone to imperfections.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a paint tool that facilitates the task of cutting-in, and a method of doing the same.

Summary of the invention

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a paint tool. The paint tool comprises a paint reservoir that defines an interior paint storage space. It also comprises a nozzle that is connected to the paint reservoir and that defines a passage via which the interior paint storage space is in fluid communication with a paint outflow opening of the nozzle. The paint tool further comprises a brush including a plurality of bristles. The brush is provided in the passage of the nozzle such that at least some bristle ends protrude from the paint outflow opening. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of cutting-in. The method comprises providing a paint tool according to the present invention having a paint storage reservoir that is at least partly filled with paint, and providing a first surface and a second surface that extend at an angle to each other and that meet along an elongate join. The method further comprises placing the nozzle end of the paint tool against at least one of said surfaces, such that the bristle ends protruding from the paint outflow opening contact the join, and pressurizing the paint and moving the paint tool, with its nozzle end touching at least one of said surfaces, along the join so as to paint a sharp line thereon.

The paint tool according to the present invention allows for the precise application of a uniform line of paint/lacquer to a join between two surfaces that extend at an angle to each other. To this end its nozzle is configured to encircle or surround the bristles of the brush, except at the paint outflow opening. The nozzle thus prevents the brush's bristles from smearing the surfaces with paint at places away from the join. An edge of the nozzle end encircling or surrounding the paint outflow opening further provides for a support area that may be leaned against at least one the surfaces to facilitate the task of steadily and accurately moving the paint tool along the direction of the join at relatively high speed. During cutting-in, the paint in the paint reservoir may be pressurized so that it flows from the reservoir into the brush that is provided in the passage of the nozzle. Inside the brush the paint is distributed by the bristles and subsequently carried outwards, through the paint outflow opening and onto the join. The process of cutting-in using the presently disclosed paint tool has proven to be both quick and precise, thus offering both amateur painters and craftsmen a tool and a method of conveniently performing this typically troublesome job.

An example may illustrate the advantageous use of the presently disclosed paint tool. A paint job involving approximately 150 linear meters of window frame would, according to accepted painting norms, require approximately 8.5 hours of pre- and finish lacquering. Using the paint tool according to the present invention, the job may be completed in no more than about 1.5 hours.

To drive paint out from the paint storage space of the reservoir into the brush, the paint may need to be pressurized. In one embodiment of the paint tool, this pressurization may be accomplished manually. The reservoir may for example be formed by a flexible container, preferably of a size that is graspable by a human hand, such that a user may keep the container in one of his hands and simply squeeze the paint out. As will be exemplified below, such an embodiment may be manufactured very economically. In another embodiment, the paint tool may be provided with pressure generating means to automatically pressurize paint stored in the paint storage space. Such means may include mechanical means, for example a pneumatic or spring- loaded gun that can be 'charged' with the paint reservoir and that gradually reduces the volume of the paint storage space by forcing one or more of the reservoir's walls inwards. In yet another embodiment the pressure generating means may include a gas-pressurized chamber, embedded in the reservoir, that shares a displaceable (piston)wall with the paint storage space and thus pressurizes the paint container therein. A controllable valve may be provided to open and close off the passage of the nozzle so as to control the outflow of paint. An advantage of embodiments using pressure generating means is that those means may be configured to pressurize the paint consistently, ensuring an approximately constant paint outflow and application rate. By hand such even pressurization of the paint may be more difficult to accomplish.

In an embodiment of the paint tool, the nozzle may be detachably connected to the paint reservoir. A base of the nozzle may, for example, be provided with an inner thread while a receiving portion of the reservoir may be provided with a matching outer thread, so that the nozzle may be screwingly attached to the receiving portion paint reservoir. A detachable connection between the paint reservoir and the nozzle may allow the paint tool to be disassembled, for example to refill the reservoir or to replace or change the (type of) reservoir, brush or nozzle. It will be clear that a paint tool of a modular nature, that allows a user to assemble a paint tool using components of his choice, is generally advantageous.

According to an elaboration of the invention, the nozzle of the paint tool may have a generally tapering shape, i.e. a taper towards the paint outflow opening. In an embodiment the nozzle may, for example, be substantially cone-jacket-shaped, having a truncated tip/end to provide for the paint outflow opening. On the outside, the tapered form of the nozzle may facilitate its insertion into tight spaces. On the inside, it may converge the bristles of the brush so as to have them provide a well-defined pointed brush tip where they protrude from the paint outflow opening, allowing for the precise application of paint.

To facilitate the task of applying a paint line precisely onto a join between two mutually perpendicular surfaces, an edge of the nozzle end that defines the paint outflow opening may comprise at least two surface portions whose normals extend outwardly, and approximately perpendicularly to each other. While cutting-in the join, each of the surface portions of the nozzle edge may then be leaned flat against one of the surfaces defining the join in order to provide optimal (lateral) support to the nozzle.

According to a further elaboration of the invention, the tip of the nozzle end may be bevelled or slanted, preferably such that a slanted side of the nozzle end and a central, longitudinal axis of the nozzle include an angle in the range of 45-80 degrees. A slanted or bevelled end may make it easier to position the nozzle at an acute angle relative to the join, so as to ensure that paint may be properly applied and such that one can still see the point of paint application.

In a particularly favorable embodiment of the paint tool a tip portion of the slanted nozzle end, or more particularly, a tip portion of an edge of the nozzle end that defines the paint outflow opening, which tip portion is distal to the paint reservoir, may be provided with a substantially concave recess or notch.

During paint application, the nozzle may be positioned such that its end lies or rests against one or both of the surfaces defining the join being treated, while the notch is visible to/faces the user and arcs over the join to keep it clear of direct contact with the nozzle end. The nozzle end may then be moved along the join such that the bristle ends trail the nozzle end (including both the paint outflow opening and the notch) and sweep/smear the paint flowing from the paint outflow opening of the nozzle along/onto the join. In doing so, the notch may help to keep the bristles together and aligned with the join. However, a primary function of the notch becomes clear when the paint tool is to negotiate a three-dimensional corner, i.e. an intersection between three mutually perpendicular surfaces, such as (i) a vertically extending window pane, (ii) a first, vertically extending surface of a window frame, and (iii) a second, horizontally extending surface of the window frame (e.g. a window ledge). The vertically extending join between the window pane and the first surface of the window frame may be treated by orienting the paint tool such that the join and the longitudinal axis of the nozzle include a first acute angle, and moving the paint tool along the length of the join, towards the corner. As the paint tool approaches the corner, it may typically have to be reoriented due to the fact that the second, horizontal surface of the window frame frustrates further movement of the paint tool, in particular of the paint reservoir (and the hand holding it) disposed in line with the central axis of the nozzle. Reorienting the paint tool means increasing the acute angle between the central axis and the join, and thus placing the nozzle more on end with respect to the window pane. Without the notch in the nozzle, this reorientation of the nozzle would essentially cause the bristles to fold sharply, squeezing them together and flattening/spreading the tip of the brush against the join. Obviously, this would broaden the line of paint applied thereto, and thus cause a line with a non-uniform thickness, both in terms of width and of paint layer thickness. The notch in the tip of the nozzle end prevents this. It enables the paint tool to be reoriented by pivoting it around the tip, which lifts the center of the brush slightly away from the join to prevent excessive squeezing and folding of the bristles of the brush. Instead, the bristles may bend slightly backward and into the notch, which ensures that the bristles ends forming the pointed tip of the brush remain together (i.e. do not spread out to flatten the tip of the brush) and stay aligned with the join.

For the best overall result, paint may preferably be introduced from the paint reservoir into between the bristles of the brush, e.g. by means of a paint supply tube (see below), at a point between the bristles close to the paint outflow opening and at a side of a longitudinal axis of the nozzle opposite to the concave notch.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention, taken together with the accompanying drawings, which are meant to illustrate and not to limit the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a paint tool according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the paint tool shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the act of cutting-in using the paint tool shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Detailed description

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary assembled embodiment of a paint tool 1 according to the present invention, while Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic exploded perspective view thereof. Referring now to both Fig. 1 and 2 to elucidate the paint tool's construction.

The paint tool 1 may comprise a paint reservoir 2 that defines an interior paint storage space 4 for storing fluid paint therein. The reservoir 2 may preferably be of a size and shape that is comfortably graspable by a human hand, so as to serve as a handle by which a user can manually hold the paint tool 1. As such it may for example take the form of a sizable toothpaste tube, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Alternatively, the reservoir 2 may be shaped as a typically cylindrical cartridge that is configured to be used with a cartridge gun. In such a case, the gun may provide for an actuator grip by means of which the paint tool can be held indirectly.

During operation, the paint in the paint reservoir 2 may be pressurized. This may easily be accomplished by a hand holding the reservoir 2 provided that the reservoir is made of a flexible material, such as a soft plastic, that allows it to be squeezed together. In case the reservoir 2 is designed to be used as a cartridge in a conventional cartridge gun, e.g. a spring-loaded or pneumatic gun similar to those known from the field of caulking guns, the paint reservoir 2 may be formed as a substantially cylindrical container of a relatively inflexible, rigid material, which container may be provided with a displaceable bottom that is adapted to co-act with a movable piston(rod) of the gun. Although such practical considerations may prescribe advantageous forms, the reservoir 2 may in principle have any desired shape and be manufactured from any suitable material.

The paint tool 1 may further include a nozzle 6 that is configured to be mounted on the reservoir 2. As depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the nozzle 6 may have a generally tapering, and preferably substantially cone-jacket shape that extends from a base 7 to a nozzle end 10. The base 7 may be open, while the nozzle end 10 may be truncated to define a paint outflow opening 16. Hence the nozzle 6 may define a passage 8 via which paint may be transferred from the base 7 to the paint outflow opening 16. The paint outflow opening 16 may typically have a diameter in the range of 1-15 mm, and preferably in the range of 1-10 mm.

The nozzle end 10 may be slantingly truncated or bevelled, preferably such that the slanted side of the nozzle end and a longitudinal axis of the nozzle include an angle in the range of 45-80 degrees. This may make it easier to position the nozzle at an acute angle relative to a join to be treated in such a way that paint flowing from the paint outflow opening 16 is swept along by the bristle ends of a brush 18 protruding therefrom (see below), and one can observe the point of paint application. An apex or (tip) portion of the nozzle edge 12 of the nozzle end 10 that defines the paint outflow opening 16, distal to the paint reservoir 2, may further be provided with a substantially concave notch or recess 14. The notch 14 may typically have a semi-circular cross-section, a diameter in the range of about 2-5 mm, and allow the bristles ends 22 that protrude from the paint outflow opening 16 to bend backwards slightly during paint application, which may be particularly helpful in keeping the bristle ends 20 together and aligned with a join where it extends into (three dimensional) corners or tight spaces that force one to reorient the paint tool 1.

The passage 8 through the nozzle 6 is configured to receive a brush 18. The brush 18 may comprise a plurality of elongate bristles 20, which may preferably be made from relatively soft natural hairs or synthetic fibers. It is noted for clarity that the word "brush" as used in this text has the meaning of the Dutch word "penseel" instead of that of the Dutch word "kwast". A "penseel" differs from a "kwast" in that is made of softer, more flexible bristles, such as bristles of marter hair, badger hair, squirrel hair, and ox or cow hair. A "kwast" is made of relatively stiff or tough bristles, such as bristles of pig hair. Consequently, paint strokes with a "kwast" result in textured paint strokes, while paint strokes with a "penseel" are smooth and untextured. In addition, the distribution of paint within a "penseel" is different from that of a "kwast", causing the latter type of brush to be unfit for applying narrow/sharp lines of paint. One end of the bristles 20 may be attached to a ferrule or bushing 19 that is wedgingly receivable in the tapering space 8 of the nozzle 6. If desired, the bushing 19 may be fixedly mounted in the nozzle 6, for example by glueing it to an inner wall thereof. The length of the bristles 20 may be on the order of several centimeters (e.g. 2-3 cm) and preferably be such that, when the bushing 19 is received in the tapering space 8 of the nozzle 6, the bristle ends 22 just protrude (e.g. several millimeters) from the paint outflow opening 16. The bristle ends 22 may preferably define a pointy brush tip to enable precise paint application. The brush 18 may, for example, be a sharply pointed, round brush (as opposed to in particular a flat brush).

The bushing 19 may be of a generally annular shape to define a (preferably excentric, see below) opening that, in an assembled condition of the paint tool 1, may form a channel connecting the interior paint storage space 4 of the paint reservoir 2 to the bristles 20 of the brush 18. The channel may thus enable paint to flow from the storage space 4 to the paint outflow opening 16 of the nozzle 6. In a preferred embodiment, the paint tool 1 may comprise an elongate paint supply tube 24. In an assembled condition of the paint tool 1 the paint supply tube 24 may extend from within the interior paint storage reservoir 4, through the opening in the bushing 19, to within the plurality of bristles 20 of the brush 18. The paint supply tube 24 may facilitate the metered transfer of paint from within the paint storage space 4 to a point amidst the bristles of the brush 18, preferably relatively close to (e.g. within 1.5 cm of) the brush tip. In an embodiment, the portion of the paint supply tube 24 that resides within the brush 18 may be arranged excentrically relative to a central longitudinal or symmetry axis of the nozzle 6, preferably on a side of the axis substantially opposite to an apex of the nozzle end 10. The excentricity of the tube 24, or at least a downstream end thereof, may promote the smooth dispensation and spreading of the paint, especially if — with regard to a direction in which the nozzle 6 is moved during cutting-in - the outflow opening of the tube 24 is disposed ahead or upstream of the central axis, such that a relatively large (trailing or downstream) portion of the bristle ends 22 of brush 18 follows it to distribute and apply the paint. That is to say, the excentricity of the tube 24 ensures that a relatively large portion of the bristle ends 'roof over' the paint outflow opening of the tube 24 to apply paint onto a join during use. The pointed tip of the brush 18 always contacts the applied paint last, and so effects convergence of the paint onto the paint line to be applied. Flat brushes and "kwasten" are generally unable to effect fine convergence of applied paint, and increase the risk of drippers.

To interconnect the reservoir 2 and the nozzle 6, the reservoir 2 may be provided with a nozzle mounting portion 5 while the nozzle base 7 may be configured to receive this nozzle mounting portion 5. The nozzle mounting portion 5 may take the form of a substantially cylinder- jacket shaped protrusion that defines a passage via which the interior paint storage space 4 of the reservoir 2 is accessible and onto which a nozzle 6 is mountable. The nozzle mounting portion 5 and the base 7 may be provided with releasable coupling means that facilitate their detachable interconnection. In the depicted embodiment, such coupling means are provided by an outer thread on the nozzle mounting portion 5 of the reservoir 2 that matches an inner thread provided in the base 7 of the nozzle 6. In other embodiments different conventional coupling means may be used to fasten the nozzle 6 to the reservoir 2, such as, for example, a bayonet connector. When a detachable connection between the nozzle 5 and the reservoir 2 is not desired, releasable coupling means may of course be omitted.

Now that the construction of the paint tool 1 according to the present invention has been described in some detail, attention is invited to its application. To this end reference will be made to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates how the paint tool 1 of Figs. 1 and 2 may be used to cut-in at the join between two mutually perpendicular surfaces 30, 32. Surface 30 may for example represent an inner surface of a window pane while surface 32 may represent a side of a window post. The two surfaces 30, 32 meet at an elongate join 34 that runs in the vertical direction. To cut-in at the join 34, one may place the nozzle end of the paint tool 1 against at least one of the surfaces 30, 32, such that the bristle ends 22 protruding from the paint outflow opening 16 contact the join 34. The nozzle end 10 may preferably be positioned such that the portions of the nozzle edge 12 adjacent the notch 14 lie against one or both respective surfaces 30, 32, while the notch 14 (which is visible to the user) arcs over the join 34 to ensure that the nozzle end 10 does not contact it directly. The central axis of the nozzle and the join may preferably include an acute angle in the range of about 45-80 degrees to gently press the bristle ends 22 against the join 34. Then, one may pressurize the paint in the reservoir 2 and move the paint tool 1, with its nozzle end 10 supported against the at least one of the surfaces 30, 32, along the join 34 so as to paint a sharp line 26 thereon. Once the join is treated, one may continue to paint the adjacent surfaces 30, 32 (here only 32) using less precise conventional tools, such as for example a paint roller or an aerosol spray paint can.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described above, in part with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, it is noted that particular features, structures, or characteristics of one or more embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner to form new, not explicitly described embodiments.

List of elements

1 paint tool

2 paint reservoir

4 interior paint storage space of paint reservoir 2

5 nozzle mounting portion provided with outer thread

6 nozzle

7 nozzle base provided with inner thread

8 space in nozzle for receiving brush

10 nozzle end

12 slanted edge of nozzle end defining paint outflow opening

14 notch in nozzle end

16 paint outflow opening

18 brush

19 brush bushing

20 bristles

22 bristle ends protruding from paint outflow opening

24 paint supply tube

26 paint line

30 first surface

32 second surface

34 join between first surface and second surface

Claims

Claims We claim: 1. A paint tool (1), comprising:

- a paint reservoir (2) defining an interior paint storage space (4);

- a nozzle (6) that is connected to the paint reservoir and that defines a passage (8) via which the interior paint storage space (4) is in fluid communication with a paint outflow opening (16) of the nozzle; and - a brush (18) including a plurality of bristles (20), said brush being provided in the passage of the nozzle such that at least some bristle ends (22) protrude from the paint outflow opening.

2. The paint tool according to claim 1, wherein the paint reservoir (2) is formed by a flexible container.

3. The paint tool according to claim 1, wherein the paint reservoir (2) is designed as a cartridge, including at least one displaceable wall part that bounds the interior paint storage space (4), said cartridge being configured for cooperation with a cartridge gun.

4. The paint tool according to any of the claims 1-3, further comprising pressure generating means configured to pressurize paint stored in the interior paint storage space (4) of the reservoir (2).

5. The paint tool according to any of the claims 1-4, further comprising a paint supply tube (24) that extends from inside the paint storage space (4) to within the brush (18).

6. The paint tool according to claim 5, wherein a portion of the paint supply tube (24) that extends within the brush (18) is excentrically arranged relative to a central, longitudinal axis of the nozzle (6).

7. The paint tool according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein the nozzle

(6) is detachably connected to the paint reservoir (2).

8. The paint tool according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the nozzle (6) has a tapering shape.

9. The paint tool according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle (6) is substantially cone-jacket-shaped.

10. The paint tool according to any of the claims 1-9, wherein the nozzle end (10) is bevelled.

11. The paint tool according to any of the claims 1-10, wherein a portion of an edge (12) of the nozzle end (10) that defines the paint outflow opening (16), distal to the paint reservoir (2), is provided with a substantially concave notch (14).

12. The paint tool according to any of the claims 1-11, wherein an edge (12) of the nozzle end (10) that defines the paint outflow opening (16) comprises at least two surface portions whose normals extend approximately perpendicularly to each other.

13. A method of cutting-in, comprising:

- providing a paint tool (1) according to any of the claims 1-12, wherein said paint storage reservoir (2) is at least partly filled with paint; - providing a first surface (30) and a second surface (32) that extend at an angle to each other and that meet along an elongate join (34);

- placing the nozzle end (10) of the paint tool against at least one of said first and second surfaces (30, 32), such that the bristle ends (22) protruding from the paint outflow opening (16) contact the join; and

- pressurizing the paint and moving the paint tool, with its nozzle end touching at least one of said surfaces, along the join so as to paint a sharp line thereon.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the nozzle end (10) of the paint tool (1) is placed against both first and second surfaces (30, 32) and kept in contact therewith as the tool is moved along the join (34).