Patent Application
20210346908
The present invention relates to a paint applicator and, more particularly, to a handle mounted depositor to apply small paint globules to ceilings. The depositor is actuated by pressing it to a surface where a metered and variable amount of paint is deposited on the surface. In its most popular embodiment, the material applied is a glow-in-the-dark paint which when applied in a random pattern on a ceiling gives the illusion of nighttime stars overhead when the lights are turned off. A second embodiment would be that the material applied is a fluorescent paint that gives the illusion of nighttime stars overhead when the globules are illuminated by ultraviolet lighting sometimes called black lights.
To apply glow-in-the-dark or fluorescent drops of paint on a ceiling to simulate nighttime stars when the room is darkened.
Applying glow-in-the-dark stars is an expensive and labor-intensive task. Typically, the stars are self-adhesive and come on die-cut sheets where the user removes an individual star and sticks it to the ceiling by hand. The process requires the person to be near the ceiling by ladder means. If the entire ceiling is to be covered in stars the floor must be free of obstacles for the ladder. Additionally, to create a realistic night sky illusion, the entire ceiling must be covered with enough stars to replicate a typical starry night. This usually means applying thousands of stickers which is difficult, exhausting, and dangerous work if the ceiling is high or elevating means are not available.
Plastic, stick-on stars don't have the lasting power of direct glow-in-the-dark paint because they contain a lot of plastic relative to pigment to be stable. This requires them to be heavier and larger than would be required if the paint were directly applied to the ceiling. Plastic stick-on stars can only contain glow-in-the-dark paint compatible with the plastic to which they are bound. Plastic, stick-on stars are expensive when a dense star field is required because the plastic matrix must be added to the paint in the matrix. Applying stick-on stars is time consuming and the stars are visible on the ceiling when the room is lighted. It is therefore an object of the invention to deposit paint globules on ceilings.
It is another object of the invention to extend the reach of the user to allow depositing of paint globules while standing on the floor.
It is another object of the invention to deposit enough globules in a single applicator to convincingly create a simulated star field.
It is another object of the invention to deposit glow-in-the-dark paint to simulate stars on a ceiling.
It is another object of the invention to deposit fluorescent paint to simulate stars on a ceiling.
It is another object of the invention to deposit glow-in-the-dark paint to simulate stars on a ceiling with the lights out so that the effect is immediately apparent.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a paint depositor that deposits a drop of glow-in-the-dark or fluorescent paint in a hemispherical-shaped globule that when combined with other similarly deposited globules simulates a starry sky when, after the glow-in-the-dark paint has been charged or the fluorescent paint activated, and the lights are turned off. Additionally, the paint depositor can be attached to a handle such as a standard mop or broom handle so that it can be operated by a user while standing on the floor. The depositor deposits the paint in a way that leaves the paint in a hemisphere so that the globule can be seen at an angle to the ceiling rather than just from below further enhancing the starry sky simulation from viewing positions other than directly below the globules.
A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
