EP2500142A1 - Multifunction tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The tool (1) has two tool sections (2, 3) with handling parts (20, 30), and a third tool section (4) formed by a filter retainer (40) for retaining and holding filters of a cone-shaped filter screen. One tool section with a lower side forms a support surface for supporting the tool on an edge segment of a container edge of color containers. Another tool section with a lower side forms another support surface for supporting the tool on another edge segment of the container edge. The latter segment is spaced at a distance to the former segment. The handling parts are an opening tool (24) and a handle (34).

Description

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to a multi-functional tool according to the preamble of claim 1.

2. State of the art

In the painting and decorating trade, paint or paint is regularly processed with paint spray guns or paint spray guns. In practice, problems occur with contaminated paint or contaminated paint. In particular, disturbing dirt particles and impurities in already opened color packages cause the processor in the painting and Lackierhandwerk problems.

Even the smallest impurities can adversely affect the painting result or render it unusable. Either the painting work must then be completely repeated and / or laborious grinding and reworking or repainting. In the worst case, the painting object is beyond salvage and must be completely replaced.

In the prior art, therefore, prior to carrying out the painting, in particular before filling the Lakkierpistole the paints and colors to be used are screened or filtered.

In this case, usually the disposable color filter screens used throughout the market for filtering

Used color, which is later sprayed from a spray gun. Such disposable color filter screens or filters generally consist of a first impermeable structure, usually a low-cost body of cardboard or textile and a filter insert or permeable filter screen surfaces arranged therein.

The color filter screen will hereinafter be referred to briefly as a filter screen or more generally as a filter.

In the market mainly filter screens of a certain design and size are available, which are adapted to the market almost exclusively, at least predominantly used color containers, also of a certain size.

The filter screens used in the prior art have a conical shape or are sometimes described as a conical sieve. The cone-shaped filter screen is usually placed either in the opening of a container or in the opening of a spray gun shell, whereupon paint is poured through the sieve to filter this paint or the corresponding paint.

The procedure described above is also used to mix the color. Filtering mixes the ink for the best color matching, removing the irritating contaminants and particles that can either clog the spray gun or affect the paint finish. For example, if a spray gun clogs while it is being used, the uniformity of paint application and hence the paint finish will be affected.

Consequently, almost all paint and varnish manufacturers prior to the filtering or screening of colors Use in spray guns or general processing recommended or advised.

In particular in the field of automotive coatings and the painting of high-quality surfaces, such a prefiltering is unavoidable.

First of all, it is important to protect the strainer and the filter from dust during the filtering process, and also to avoid touching the strainer with your hand or fingers or other objects as this may cause further damage. For example, dust may detach from the filter grid and fall into the container in which cleaned paint or filtered paint is to be filled. Further, body oils or greases or other contaminants may adhere to the hand of the processor and transfer to the filter resulting in spots or fisheyes in the painting job, which also requires reworking. In particular, modern colors and color developments to solvent-free paints are extremely sensitive in this regard. Even the smallest amounts of silicon, dimethylsiloxide or Dimenthylsiloxid are extremely disturbing.

There are different problems when filtering paints and varnishes in the entire work process and thus in the individual work steps, which, however, can have any influence on the work result.

First, there is the need to open the color container or the paint can. For this purpose, the processor usually uses a flat-bladed screwdriver in painting and varnishing, if he has this at hand. In daily work practice this leads to additional ways of working to search for a corresponding object with which the paint can be opened. Now it is already the width of the head of a slotted screwdriver often unsatisfactory trained and its use causes the lid must be done in a successively repeated Aufhebelbewegung along the edge of the lid until the container lid can be separated from the container or from the paint can. Already here, the lacquer layers adhering to the lid can break off and fall into the liquid color of the ink container to be opened. In addition, the lid, which usually consists of deformable tinplate, unintentionally deformed and can be easily damaged, so that even a later secure sealing of the paint cans is not always guaranteed.

Typically, the manufacturer uses uniform color containers in container sizes of 2.5 liters in almost standardized container sizes and types of containers to fill in color for users of the painting and lacquering trade and for industrial coating. Since problems arise in particular when using such containers together with the filter sieves described above, the embodiments will be explained below with reference to these container sizes.

Such 2.5 liter paint cans or paint cans are usually offered as tinplate cans in a height of about 160 mm and an outer diameter of about 170 mm. The typical opening diameter of the can is just under 140 mm.

In filter screens of the aforementioned type, these have an upper filler opening with a diameter of about 160 mm and an approximate filter height through the filter screen tip and the center of the substantially circular opening of 100 mm. The opening angle of two diametrically opposed surface lines on the lateral surface is approximately 90 degrees in the unfolded state of a conical filter screen.

Now sets the processor such a filter in the round container opening of a paint can or a paint container with a diameter of about 140 mm, so there is a risk that the filter screen with increasing filling amount of color as a result of the weight inadvertently slips into the paint can and thus completely falls in color. This results in a pollution of the paint and a considerable cleaning effort is necessary. Furthermore, there is an unwanted loss of color.

Another disadvantage is that in the aforementioned containers, the filter screen is almost completely immersed over its entire height of 100 mm in the only 160 mm high paint container. This means that a filling of such a paint can with a maximum level of 60 mm level can be achieved, otherwise the filter tip is immersed in the filtered color, which is also to be avoided. For a disadvantageous consequence of this is that upon removal of the filter after filtering, paint may drip off the filter screen tip, e.g. on tools, the floor or other objects and thus the work unnecessarily difficult or follow-up work or unwanted color stains may arise.

The processor also has problems that color residues or drops of paint reach his hand or finger, which he then unnoticed transmits to the object to be painted when it touches and generates further damage.

The method of color filtering used so far therefore regularly includes such steps that are prone to failure and risky with respect to the Lackierergebnis.

Also with other container sizes and typical paint buckets in the container size of 10 or 25 liters meets the processor on the problem described in particular to the problem with larger container openings to position the filter accordingly.

Thus, after completion of the filtering process, the processor also has the task to close the dye package again airtight. In practice, this requires another tool.

For this purpose, the user usually accesses a conventional hammer, which he needs in addition to the aforementioned screwdriver as another tool. If he does not have this hammer at hand, the container either remains open for a while, so that solvent can escape or other dirt particles can get into the ink container.

Overall, the state of the art does not provide a satisfactory solution for this, which avoids the said problems.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution which, on the one hand, facilitates the work processes and overcomes predicted disadvantages.

This object is achieved with a multi-functional tool according to claim 1. In the multi-functional tool according to the present invention, a tool is provided, which in addition to at least a first and a second tool portion, each with a handling means comprises a further tool section which forms a filter holder for receiving and Holder of a filter screen or a filter.

In other words, a multi-functional tool for use in at least one of the steps of Filtering or sifting of liquid paint or paints provided, consisting of a first tool portion with a first handling means preferably a can opener for opening the can lid and a second tool portion with a second handling means preferably a handle portion for use of the multi-function tool as a hammer, wherein further the multifunctional tool via a third tool portion to form a filter receptacle for receiving and holding a filter or a conical filter screen has.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the multi-function tool has a substantially round opening, the opening diameter of which is approximately 30 to 60 percent of the diameter of the upper opening of the filling opening of the conical filter screen.

In a favorable embodiment, the opening is about 75 to 85 mm, while in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the opening is about 80 mm in diameter.

This ensures that the filter is less than half the height immersed in the opening and thereby the filter screen tip of the conical filter screen with respect to the underside of the substantially flat multifunction tool moves sufficiently far above the position of the filter screen when inserted into the container without the multi-function tool, in order to achieve a higher level in the container to be filled, without the filter immersed in the color.

In the advantageous embodiment, the filter screen tip is about 45 to 55 mm below the bottom of the in flat flat multifunctional tool. As a result, a substantially higher level can be achieved when filtering in a paint container or a tinplate can with a container size of 2.5 liters. Also, a too high filter position is to be avoided, since this situation becomes unstable. Particularly suitable is the area just below half the filter height.

In the region of the first tool section, the multi-functional tool has such a lower side which provides a support surface for supporting the multi-function tool on a first edge segment of a container rim of a paint container, in order to rest there and the second tool section has a lower support surface and thus a second support surface Multifunction tool on a second edge segment of a container edge of a paint container.

Advantageously, the opening and thus the tool portion provided with the opening between the first tool portion and the second tool portion, whereby a flexible and stable filter storage can be achieved.

In a likewise advantageous embodiment, the first tool section and the second tool section as well as the third tool section lie approximately on an imaginary line. The first tool section and the second tool section are diametrically opposed with respect to the third tool section, while in the center thereof is the opening for receiving and holding the filter.

The multi-functional tool according to the invention can be produced in a particularly cost-effective manner from a sheet metal, preferably from a sheet of material thickness 2 mm, either by a punching or stamping process or by conventional separation processes such as water jet cutting or lasers. Alternatively, sufficiently strong wood or plastic can be used.

The underside of the multi-function tool forms in an advantageous embodiment, a flat support plane, so that the multi-function tool can be placed on different container sizes and thus different diameters of containers at the container edge and moved to the desired position. It is thereby either placed on each of its outer end of the multi-function tool thus on each side on the first and second tool section or on the undersides formed bearing surfaces. Alternatively, the multifunctional tool can be placed directly on the edge of the third (central) tool section, even with smaller container sizes.

In an advantageous embodiment, the filter receptacle is formed by a substantially flat ring segment, with an outer diameter D2 and an inner diameter D1 and a thickness between 1-3 mm.

The ring segment is provided in a particularly advantageous embodiment with an interruption - thus a slot - so that a substantially C-shaped ring segment portion is formed.

The slot-shaped interruption or lateral recess formed in this way serves to laterally remove the filter with its filter tip from the multifunctional tool so that, for example, dripping paint can not get onto the tool surface.

Advantageously, an opening width of about 20 to 50 mm is provided.

Furthermore, it has been found that for particularly stable support of the multi-function tool on the container edge, a width of the tool sections between 20 to 50 mm should be selected. As a result, a particularly stable bearing surface is achieved on a respective associated edge segment of a container edge, whereby a tilting of the tool should be prevented. Overall, a completely flat and flat design of the multi-function tool is particularly well.

Advantageously, the multifunction tool is produced in one piece.

The tool can also have several other tool means. One of the tool sections, preferably the second tool section, is formed as a handle, so that the multi-function tool can be used as a hammer, while at least one side edge of the multi-function tool provides a striking surface and hereby the lid of a paint can by means of targeted closely juxtaposed hammer blows again completely tight can be closed.

Overall, this allows the processor in painting and Lackierhandwerk the above workflows all perform with a single tool, the tool also has a passive means in addition to its active handling means, namely the filter holder for a filter.

Advantageously, the additional tools may be, for example, tool keys of different key sizes and key surfaces and these laterally on one of the tool sections or be arranged on a clip-on tool adapter.

Fig. 1:

Das Multifunktionswerkzeug gemäß der vorliegen-den Erfindung in einer Aufsicht

Fig. 2:

Das Multifunktionswerkzeug gemäß Fig. 1 in ei-ner Seitenansicht

Fig. 3:

Ein kegelförmiges Filtersieb, wie es im Stand der Technik bekannt ist, zum Einsetzen in das Multifunktionswerkzeug gemäß Fig. 1 und Fig. 2

Fig. 4:

Eine Seitenansicht eines 2,5 Liter Farbgebindes mit einem darüber angeordnetem Behälterdeckel

Fig. 5:

Eine Aufsicht auf ein Farbgebinde gemäß Fig. 4 mit einem Multifunktionswerkzeug

Fig. 6:

Eine exemplarische Schnittansicht durch ein Farbgebinde gemäß Fig. 5 mit dem erfindungsge-mäßen Multifunktionswerkzeug gemäß Fig. 1 und einem in die Filteraufnahme eingesetzten Fil-tersieb gemäß Fig. 3

Fig. 7:

Ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 1

Fig. 8:

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel mit einem Werkzeugadap-ter

The object of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to illustrative exemplified embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1:

The multi-functional tool according to the present invention in a plan view

Fig. 2:

The multifunction tool according to Fig. 1 in a side view

3:

A conical filter screen, as known in the art, for insertion into the multi-function tool according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2

4:

A side view of a 2.5 liter ink container with a container lid arranged above

Fig. 5:

A view of a color container according to Fig. 4 with a multi-function tool

Fig. 6:

An exemplary sectional view through a colored container according to Fig. 5 with the inventive multi-functional tool according to Fig. 1 and a filter screen used in the filter holder Fig. 3

Fig. 7:

A further embodiment according to Fig. 1

Fig. 8:

An embodiment with a Werkzeugadap-ter

In Fig. 1 the multi-functional tool 1 according to the invention is shown in a plan view. The multifunction tool 1 or else tool 1 consists of a first tool section 2, a second tool section 3 and a third tool section 4 located between the second and third tool sections. The first tool section 2 comprises a first handling means 20, preferably a levering tool 24 with a flat side 25 for prying a paint container lid.

The edge width at the flat side 25 of the Aufhebelwerkzeugs 24 in the present embodiment is about 15 mm and the thickness of about 1-1.5mm. The first tool section 2 has an underside 21 with a bearing surface 22 for resting on an edge segment 62 of a container edge 61 Fig. 5 , The second work section 3 likewise has an underside, namely the underside 31, with a bearing surface 32 for supporting the multi-function tool 1 on a second edge segment 63 of the container rim 61 of a paint container 6 Fig. 5 ,

Furthermore, in Fig. 1 to recognize that in the third tool section 4, a filter holder 40 is arranged, in which a filter can be used. The filter holder 40 for receiving and holding a filter 5 and a filter 5 according to Fig. 3 is in Fig. 6 shown. As in Fig. 1 As can be seen, the filter holder 40 is formed by a circular opening 41. It can also be seen that the tool section 4 is formed from a ring segment 42 and this ring segment 42 forms the opening 40.

In Fig. 2 a side view of the multi-function tool 1 is shown. The multifunction tool 1 is formed substantially flat with a flat bottom 31 and a flat top 32. The multifunction tool 1 is further formed in one piece, but may also be formed from a first tool body and an adapter 70, as shown in FIG Fig. 8 is shown. In this case, the adapter 70 can also be used as an extension of one of the tool sections 2 or 3 alternatively.

Furthermore, in Fig. 1 to recognize that the second tool portion is formed as a substantially flat tongue 33 with the flat bottom 31 having a length L2 and in at least a portion of a bearing surface 32 of width B2, preferably having a width between 20 and 50 mm ,

With advantages, the first tool section 2 and the second tool section 3 are diametrically opposite with respect to the third tool section 4, so that a predominantly symmetrical (mirror-symmetrical) and therefore particularly non-tiltable embodiment is produced.

The ring segment 42 is, as in Fig. 1 can be seen, interrupted by means of an outwardly open portion 44, whereby a substantially C-shaped ring segment portion 42 is formed. The outwardly open portion 44 is, in other words, thus formed by means of a recess or a gap 46 in the ring segment 42.

At the side opposite the recess 46 side edge 47 is a portion which is formed as an impact edge 45.

On the second tool section 3 is a handling means 30, which is designed as a handle or handle 34. As a result, the substantially flat tongue 33 can be used as a handle 34 and operate the multifunction tool 1 as a whole by hammer with a hand, the tool 1 is held and guided on the handle 34 and by means of the impact edge 45, which is designed as a hammer surface, for example, as in Fig. 4 can be struck to attach it to the container 6 and to seal it with it.

In Fig. 3 a filter screen 5 is shown, namely a conical filter screen 5 with a lateral surface 50. The filter screen 5 may be made of a paper or filter textile and can be divided into three sections (lateral surface sections), as follows. H1 denotes an upper, H2 a middle and H3 a lower lateral surface portion. Each lateral surface section H1, H2, H3 amounts to approximately one third of the height H of the filter screen 5. The filter screen 5 has an upper opening 55, specifically via the filling opening 55 for the filter screen 5.

At the upper opening 55 is the upper edge 53 of the filter screen 5. The opening 55 has a diameter D4 of about 160 mm. The height H of the filter in Fig. 3 is about 100 mm.

It should be noted that it is in accordance with Fig. 3 described filter screen is a substantially standardized in size filter screen. In the filter jacket are on the filter screen tip 51 and in the lower lateral surface portion H3 each permeable filter screen surfaces 54. These filter screen surfaces 54 are formed from a fine mesh, for example, the size of 190 microns. Other mesh sizes of mesh mesh are however also commercially available.

Two mutually opposite generatrices 52 of the filter jacket each span an opening angle of the filter 5 of approximately 90 degrees.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary side view of a 2.5 liter Farbgebindes with an arranged above the container lid

As in Fig. 5 shown, the opening diameter D3 of the illustrated 2.5 liter paint container is about 140 mm. On this is located, as in Fig. 6 shown, the multi-function tool with a filter 5 used in the multi-functional tool, as this according to Fig. 3 was described.

In Fig. 6 it can be seen that the filter 5 according to Fig. 3 protrudes with its lower lateral surface portion H3 through the opening 41 therethrough. The opening diameter must be adjusted accordingly to the Filteriebmaß. Consequently, the lateral surface 50 is located in the region just above the lower shell portion H3 and in the lower region of the central lateral surface portion H2 on the ring segment 42 inside. As a result, a safe, but also sufficiently high filter screen position of the filter screen 5 is achieved in order to achieve a high level in the ink container 6 to be filled. Furthermore, this filter position in the ring segment 42 also prevents the filter element from slipping into the paint container 6. Even with a maximum filling of the entire filter, the filter screen 5 can not slip through the filter holder 40 therethrough.

The multi-functional tool 1 according to the invention lies in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shown position with its bearing surfaces 22 and 32 each on an edge segment 62 and 63 of the container rim 61 on. By the chosen Widths B1 and B2 of the tongues 23 and 33 and thus of the effectively effective bearing surfaces 22 and 32, a stable and non-tilting position of the multi-function tool 1 is consequently achieved.

In an alternative embodiment, the outer diameter D2 of the ring segment 42 can also be formed enlarged, so that it rests completely on the container edge 61 instead of the support surfaces 22 and 32nd

In Fig. 7 a development of the invention with further tool means 100, 101, 102, 103 is shown. These tool means 100 to 103 are shown only as an example for different tool interventions or tool functions. Advantageously, therefore, tool key interventions with different key shape and key widths can be applied in order to be able to actuate further work steps or tools with the multifunctional tool according to the invention.

Furthermore, as in Fig. 8 illustrated an adapter 70 either as an extension adapter or alternatively also with exchangeable tool means 100, 101, 102, 103 may be formed. As a result, it is possible to provide different tool adapters 70 with different tool means or tool keys and engagement openings, which can either be attached to one of the tool sections 2, 3 or fastened thereto. As a result, the functionality of the multi-functional tool 1 can be further expanded and tailored to the respective needs, without the need to replace the main tool.

The exemplary embodiments described above are only to be understood as exemplary and not restrictive.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Multifunction Tool

2

first tool section

3

second tool section

4

third tool section

5

filter screen

6

Paint container or container

20

first handling means

21

bottom

22

bearing surface

23

tongue

24

Aufhebelwerkzeug

25

flat side

30

second handling means

31

bottom

32

bearing surface

33

tongue

34

Handle or handle

40

filter mount

41

opening

42

ring segment

44

open section

45

striking edge

46

Recess or gap

50

lateral surface

51

Filtersiebspitze

52

generating line

53

upper edge

54

permeable filter screen surfaces

55

upper opening (filling opening)

60

container wall

61

container edge

62

edge segment

63

edge segment

64

container opening

65

Paint container lid

70

adapter

100

101, 102, 103 Tool means

D1

Diameter of the opening 41

D2

Outer diameter of the ring segment 42

D3

Opening diameter of a 2.5 liter paint can

D4

diameter

B1

Width of the tongue 23

B2

Width of the tongue 33

B3

Width of the Aufhebelwerkzeugs on its flat side

H

Height of the filter screen

H1

upper lateral surface section

H2

middle lateral surface section

H3

lower lateral surface section

Claims (15)

Multi-function tool (1) for use in at least one of the steps of filtering or sifting liquid paint or varnish comprising a first tool section (2) having a first handling means (20) and a second tool section (3) having a second handling means (30) therethrough characterized in that the multi-function tool (1) has a third tool section (4) to form a filter receptacle (40) for receiving and holding a filter (5), in particular a conical filter screen (5). Multifunctional tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool sections (2) form with their underside (21) a first support surface (22) for supporting the multifunctional tool (1) on a first edge segment (62) of a container rim (61) of a paint container ( 6) and the tool sections (3) with its underside (31) forms a second support surface (32) for supporting the multi-function tool (1) on a first edge segment (62) spaced second edge segment (63) of the container edge (61) of the paint container ( 6). Multifunctional tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tool section (4) is provided with an opening (41) for receiving and holding a filter (5). Multi-function tool (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the tool section (4) between the first tool section (2) and the second tool section (3) is arranged so that the filter holder (40) when placing the multi-function tool (1) on two correspondingly spaced container edge segments (62,63) of a paint container (6) in the region of the container opening (64). Multifunctional tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter holder (40) is formed by a substantially circular opening (41) with a diameter D1 in the tool section (4). Multifunctional tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool section (4) is formed from a ring segment (42) and this ring segment (42) forms the opening (40). Multifunction tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool section (4) is formed integrally with the tool section (2) and the tool section (3). Multifunction tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool section (2) as a substantially flat tongue (23) with a flat bottom (21) of length L1 and in at least a portion of its support surface (22) with a width B1 is formed between 20 - 50 mm. Multifunction tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool section (3) as a substantially flat tongue (33) with a flat bottom (31) of length L2 and in at least a portion of its support surface (32) with a width B2 is formed between 20 - 50 mm. Multifunctional tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling means (20) is a means for opening ink container lid (65), with a Aufhebelwerkzeug (24) formed at the end of the first tool portion (20) with a flat side (25 ) of a width B3. Multi-function tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the tool portion (4) designed as a hammer surface impact edge (45) is arranged and the handling means (30) as a handle (34) is formed to hold the multi-function tool (1) and to lead as a hammer for hammering with the striking edge (45). Multifunctional tool (1) according to any one of claims 3-10, characterized in that the filter holder (40) in the region of its opening (41) has a lateral, outwardly open portion (44). Multifunctional tool (1) according to one of claims 3-12, characterized in that the tool section (4) is formed from a C-shaped interrupted at one point substantially flat ring segment (41). Multi-functional tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multi-functional tool (1) at least one further tool means (100, 101, 102, 103) are preferably einstükkig formed with this or arranged on this. Multi-function tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool means (100, 101, 102, 103) represent tool keys of different key shapes and / or key sizes.

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