DE69836570T2 - Device for atomising liquids, disposable containers and container liners therefor - Google Patents

Description

The The present invention relates to containers, in particular disposable containers and Container, which serve as container inserts can. The invention also relates a device for spraying of liquids (for example, spray guns) and in particular the liquid container or -vorratsbehälter such devices.

For disposable containers there There are numerous uses in many different fields. For example become many goods either packed in disposable containers (eg bags) before or after purchase. If the disposable container is a plastic bag, that's how he gets from the buyer often as a disposable use for one used another vessel, for example, a garbage chute. In some cases Become disposable container inserts specifically manufactured for use in other, reusable containers. In such cases can the container use intended for it to facilitate the disposal of the contents of the vessel (as in Case of a container use in a garbage chute), the vessel or his To protect content or to facilitate the cleaning of the vessel or even superfluous too do.

Of the Use of a container insert in a vessel in which a substance such as glue, paint or plaster mixed or for use can be particularly advantageous, because the cleaning of the vessel the use is facilitated and because it prevents substances in the vessel with residues of others Substances are contaminated. For example, vessels have to be mixed in which colors or stored for use, be clean to ensure that the color or the quality the color is not due to residues of others Substances changed become. This is especially important as explained above when a vehicle is new is painted and the color must match an existing paint. To avoid contamination problems when mixing colors, often become waxed disposable paper cups in bodywork shops as a mixing container used, especially if only a small amount of paint is needed. In an alternative approach, proposed in US-A-4,383,635 becomes a disposable container provided for use in a reusable frame-like Arranged vessel becomes.

On the field of spray guns is for different reasons It has been suggested that a disposable insert in the reservoir of the gun is to be used (see US-A-3,211,324, 3,255,972, 4,151,929, 4,951,875 and 5,143,294 and EP-A-0 678 334). Pistols for spraying liquids (For example, paints, garden chemicals, etc.) are well known and usually have a reservoir in which to deliver one liquid is included, and a spray nozzle, through through the liquid under pressure and under the control of a trigger mechanism 'is delivered. The liquid can from the reservoir be fed under gravity, and / or it may be in a stream of pressurized fluid, For example, air or water, be carried along, that of the gun supplied from an external source becomes.

If a user the liquid in the storage container a spray gun want to change so the gun usually needs to be cleaned very thoroughly in order to to ensure, that no residue of the old fluid, the the new liquid could contaminate remain in the gun. This is especially true for paint spray guns, because any residue of a old paint batch, which remain in a gun, the color tone of a new color batch can affect so much that the new color batch becomes unusable. This can especially in bodywork cause problems where the paint to be applied to a vehicle is often exactly one already existing paint must fit. Or it can happen that paint residues, the are dried in the gun, flocculate and the new paint batch contaminate. However, the cleaning of spray guns is a comparatively complex and time consuming Job. Furthermore, in the case of paint spray guns, cleaning is comparatively size Amounts of solvents used for environmental reasons careful used and disposed of. This in turn can significantly increase the cost of painting. It is already have been proposed (see, for example, the above-mentioned font EP-A-0 678 334) that the use of a disposable insert in the Ink reservoir (i.e., the paint pot) of a spray gun Cleaning the gun will simplify and reduce the amount of solvent needed can reduce. It is further proposed in DE-U-8807118 that has been the use of a removable container insert of thick-film material in a container for storage and / or Transporting flowable materials can prevent the contents of the container the inner wall of the container touched.

The present invention relates to the provision of a container which is sufficiently inexpensive to be thrown away and which is comparatively easy to handle and to fill during use. More particularly, the invention relates to the provision of a container suitable for use as a container insert in another container. The present invention also relates to enabling a simplification of the cleaning of spray guns and similar devices, whereby simultaneously the time and the Kos shortened or reduced.

Consequently is in accordance with the present Invention, a fluid reservoir for one hand spray gun according to claim 1 and a method for use in a hand spray gun provided according to claim 12.

One container according to the invention can as a container use for a Used vessel being the container use has a shape that corresponds to the interior of the vessel. As a modification the invention further, in combination with a vessel, a Disposable insert ready to fit into the vessel and having a shape which corresponds to the interior of the vessel, the container use from a plastic material heat and / or is reduced pressure.

Of Further will be according to the invention a spray gun provided, comprising: a fluid reservoir, the a removable lid disposed in an opening in the reservoir is; a removable container insert, located in the reservoir located and by means of the lid along the peripheral edge of the opening the reservoir is attached; and a spray nozzle for dispensing of fluid from the container insert; the container use together with the lid removed from the reservoir can.

The The present invention further provides a spray gun ready to be a fluid reservoir and a spray nozzle for dispensing of fluid from the reservoir having, wherein the reservoir a removable lid and a removable, general conical, contains mesh filter, which is held by the lid in the reservoir.

The The present invention further provides a spray gun with gravity feed ready to be a fluid reservoir and a spray nozzle for dispensing of fluid from the reservoir having, wherein the reservoir a removable lid and a removable container insert, which is held by the lid in the reservoir, has.

Of the Term "heat and / or Vacuum forming "means in the sense of the present text, a process in which a situation a material is heated to softening and into a desired shape, which is defined by a mold, while being brought the material is in the softened state. In this definition is also included the case where an air pressure difference is applied is to assist the molding of the material to the desired shape, and it is particularly the case included, in which a negative pressure on One side of the material is generated to its shaping to the desired To support Gestalt (also known simply as "vacuum forming").

It It is understood that in this process, the mold is a lightweight tapered Shape must have, whereby the largest cross-section at the lower one Is at the end, so that the material layer can be taken out, when the forming process is completed. If the process of making a container insert used in a container must fit, this in turn requires that the container in the Inside similar rejuvenated have to be. The container insert and / or the container may be off be made of any thermoplastic material, that a thin film can train for the materials that it should absorb are impermeable. In some cases may be desirable be to use a material that has the shape of a laminate. For the However, most applications are polyolefins, such as Polyethylene or polypropylene, preferred because they are relatively inexpensive, heat-transform easily let and with the most watery and organic fluids do not react.

Of the The term "color" includes the meaning of the present text all forms of colored coating materials, the by means of a spray gun on a surface can be applied, regardless of whether they are the surface to give a color or not. The term includes Example primers, basecoats, topcoats and the like Materials.

It be - only exemplary - embodiments of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which shows the following:

1 Figure 11 is a perspective view of a prior art spray gun shown partially disassembled so that it can be filled with paint.

2 shows a spray gun similar to that of 1 but with an alternative form of paint reservoir according to the present invention.

3 shows the pistol of 2 with a modified form of paint reservoir.

1 The drawings illustrate a typical hand spray gun 1 of the prior art with gravity feed. The gun 1 has a body 2 , a handle 3 which extends downwards from the rear end of the body, and one spray nozzle 4 at the front end of the body. The gun is hand over a trigger 5 operated, which is hinged to the sides of the gun. The paint reservoir, or paint pot, 6 , which contains paint (or similar material) that is to be dispensed by the gun, is located on the body 2 and communicates with a (non-visible) internal passage for compressed air in fluid communication extending from a connector 7 at the bottom of the handle 3 through the gun to the nozzle 4 extends. During use, the connector is 7 connected to a (not shown) source of compressed air, so that when the user at the trigger 5 pulls compressed air through the gun to the nozzle 4 is passed and paint, which by gravity out of the pot 6 is fed, entrained and atomized. The paint is then over the nozzle 4 discharged together with the compressed air as a spray.

The one in the pot 6 The color is often mixed by hand (which requires a separate container, such as a jug) and poured into the pot. To ensure that there are no unwanted particles in the paint that would spoil the appearance of the painted surface, the paint is usually through a filter in the pot 6 cast. 1 shows the cap 8th of the pot 6 in a condition removed for this purpose and a conical filter 9 which is about to be put on the open end of the pot. The filter 9 is shown as a known type of disposable conical filter, the solid sides and a filter mesh section 10 at the tip end of the cone. If the pot 6 filled with paint, so does the filter 9 taken off and disposed of, and the cap 8th the pot is put back on. If the filter 9 is a reusable filter, it must be thoroughly cleaned, like the gun, before it is used for another liquid (for example, a color of another clay or a liquid of a different chemical composition).

2 Figure 3 illustrates an alternative spray gun embodying the invention wherein the standard paint pot 6 the spray gun 1 (please refer 1 ) and with a container insert 35 is fitted, which fits into the pot and preferably in the connection with the body 2 extends the gun so as to provide a liquid impermeable seal with the gun, for example by using a (not visible) flexible O-ring between the gun and the container insert. The container insert 35 does not coincide when paint is peeled off the pot, and may be made from a stiffer material to help it feel better in the pot 6 can be positioned. After its positioning, the container insert becomes 35 through the cap 8th held in place on an outward-extending edge 36 is screwed on the open end of the container insert. The pot 6 from 2 is additionally with a filter 37 provided, which is of a generally conical shape and is formed entirely of mesh material and the inside of the container insert during use 35 is positioned. The filter 37 has - as the container use 35 An outwardly extending edge 38 on the edge 36 the container insert rests and equally through the cap 8th of the pot 6 is held in its place.

The pot 6 from 2 It is intended to be filled with paint while it is on the spray gun 1 is attached. The container insert 35 and the filter 37 are placed in their position, paint is poured into the pot, and the cap is put on. During this process, there is no risk of the filter being displaced, and because the filter is entirely made of mesh material, the user can always recognize the color level while the paint is being poured into the pot. The gun 1 is then ready for use. All of the paint emitted by the gun passes through the filter 37 That is why it is not necessary to filter the paint when it is in the pot 6 is poured. After use, the cap 8th unscrewed, so the filter 37 and the container use 35 can be taken out. The container insert 35 is disposed of, and the filter 37 is either also disposed of or cleaned, depending on whether it is disposable or not. The use of the container insert 35 reduces the amount of solvent used to clean the gun 1 being used, with further reduction through the use of a disposable filter 37 is possible.

The filter 37 may be any suitable shape and may, for example, have ribbed sides to increase the effective surface area of the filter.

In a modified arrangement, the in 3 Illustrated are the container insert 35 and the filter 37 to a single unit 39 combined. In this case, the filter is disposed of together with the container insert.

In each of the in the 2 and 3 arrangements shown, the container use 35 and the filter 37 from the pot 6 with the lid 8th be removed. In this case it is possible to use the conventional lid 8th of the pot 6 by replacing it with a disposable lid, leaving the lid 8th , the container insert 35 and the filter 37 be disposed of together.

Claims (15)

Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun containing an outer container ( 6 ) and a removable inner container ( 35 ) located in the outer container ( 6 ), the reservoir comprising: a first end provided with an outlet which, during use, is attached to a spray gun (10); 1 ) can be connected to release fluid from the inner container ( 35 ) is deducted; a second end spaced from the first end and having a removable lid (Fig. 8th ) is provided opposite the outlet; and a side wall extending between the first end and the second end, characterized in that the lid ( 8th ) is configured to define an opening in the inner container ( 35 ) to close. Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer container ( 6 ) at the first end with the spray gun ( 1 ) and the inner container ( 35 ) a fluid seal at the connection to the spray gun ( 1 ). Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a means ( 8th ) is present to the inner container ( 35 ) in its place in the outer container ( 6 ), for example a fastener ( 8th ), which is configured to be placed on the inner container ( 35 ) to be screwed. Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner container ( 35 ) has a shape corresponding to the outer container ( 6 ), for example generally cylindrical, and preferably without play in the outer container ( 6 ) sits. Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to claim 4, characterized in that the inner container ( 35 ) has a slightly inwardly tapered shape in a direction towards the first end, and preferably an outwardly extending edge (FIG. 36 ) at the second end. Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner container ( 35 ) of plastic material, for example polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and optionally from the outer container ( 6 ) with the lid ( 8th ) can be taken out. Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a filter ( 37 ), preferably of mesh material, in the inner container ( 35 ), which is preferably configured to filter liquid that is withdrawn from the reservoir during use, and is optionally removable. Reservoir for a hand spray gun according to claim 7, characterized in that the inner container ( 35 ) and the filter ( 37 ) are combined in a single unit. Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner container ( 35 ) does not collapse when liquid is withdrawn from the storage tank before. Fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner container ( 35 ) has an outlet opening for liquid, which is withdrawn during use from the reservoir, which is located opposite to the opening which through the lid ( 8th ) is closed. Combination of the fluid reservoir for a hand spray gun according to one of the preceding claims and a hand spray gun ( 1 ), for example a gravity-filled hand spray gun ( 1 ) with a body ( 2 ), with the reservoir on the body ( 2 ) and is connected to an internal passage for compressed air, which is a nozzle ( 4 ) and liquid, which is supplied under gravity from the reservoir, entrains and atomized, and wherein the reservoir can optionally be filled with liquid, while it is attached to the spray gun ( 1 ) is attached. A method of use with a hand spray gun, the method comprising the steps of: (A) providing a hand spray gun, such as a gravity-filled hand spray gun (US Pat. 1 ), (B) providing an outer container ( 6 ) having a first end, a second end and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends, (C) attaching the outer container (Fig. 6 ) with the first end on the spray gun ( 1 ), (D) inserting an inner container ( 35 ) from the second end into the outer container ( 6 ), (E) pouring liquid into the inner container ( 35 ), (F) closing the inner container ( 35 ) with a lid ( 8th ) at the second end of the outer container ( 6 ) opposite the first end, (G) actuating the spray gun ( 1 ) to add liquid spray out of the inner container ( 35 ) was deducted. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that that steps (A) to (G) are carried out in the order given. The method of claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising one or more of the following steps: (H) providing a filter ( 37 ) in the inner container ( 35 ) before step (E) and preferably arranging the filter ( 37 ) in such a way that liquid is filtered out of the inner container ( 35 ), (I) fixing the inner container ( 35 ) in the outer container ( 6 ) following step (E), (J) removing the inner container ( 35 ) with the lid ( 8th ) from the outer container ( 6 ) following step (G). The method of claim 14, further comprising the following step (K): molding the interior insert ( 35 ) to a shape that the Vorratsbe container ( 6 ) and without play in the reservoir ( 6 ), before step (D).