Patent Grant
9802213
Spray guns are known for use in the application of liquids such as paints across many industries. Such spray guns commonly include a gun body, a reservoir for holding a liquid to be sprayed, and an air source to assist in atomizing and propelling the liquid onto a surface to be coated. Often, coating liquids are expensive, and it is therefore desirable to use as much of the liquid as possible to minimize waste. Moreover, relatively viscous coating liquids can be difficult to remove from the reservoir under the influence of gravity or a siphon.
There is a need for improved systems and methods for removing coating liquids from a reservoir for application by a spray gun.
Exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, the embodiments listed below, which may or may not be numbered for convenience. Several additional embodiments, not specifically enumerated in this section, are disclosed within the accompanying detailed description.
A barrel adapted for use with a spray gun, the barrel comprising:
The barrel of Embodiment 1 further comprising:
The barrel of any of Embodiments 1-2 further comprising a gun interface adapted to connect the barrel to a spray gun platform.
The barrel of any of Embodiments 2-3 wherein the fluid interface comprises the boost delivery port.
The barrel of any of Embodiments 2-4 wherein the boost delivery port is created by connection of the fluid interface to a compatible coating fluid reservoir.
The barrel of any of Embodiments 1 to 5 wherein at least a portion of the boost passageway is created by connection of the barrel to a compatible coating fluid reservoir.
The barrel of any of Embodiments 3 to 6 wherein the gun interface comprises an coating fluid chamber and the boost feed port is fluidly connected to the coating fluid chamber when the barrel is assembled to a compatible spray gun platform.
The barrel of any of Embodiments 1 to 7 wherein the boost passageway is not interrupted by a shut-off device.
An assembly comprising a barrel and a coating fluid reservoir adapted for use in combination with a spray gun;
The assembly of Embodiment 9 wherein the boost passageway is at least partially created by the assembled combination of the barrel and the coating fluid reservoir.
The assembly of Embodiment 9 wherein the boost delivery port is integral with the fluid interface, such that the boost passageway is integrally formed as a feature of the barrel.
The assembly of any of Embodiments 9 to 11 wherein the coating fluid reservoir comprises a separating member to fluidly separate the coating fluid chamber from the boost fluid chamber.
The assembly of any of Embodiments 9 to 12 wherein the boost passageway is not interrupted by a shut-off device.
The assembly of any of Embodiments 9 to 13 wherein a fluid in the coating fluid reservoir is prevented from entering the boost passageway regardless of the orientation of the coating fluid reservoir with respect to the barrel.
An assembly comprising a barrel and a spray gun
A coating fluid reservoir adapted for connection to a compatible barrel of a spray gun, the coating fluid reservoir comprising
The coating fluid reservoir of Embodiment 16 wherein the fluid aperture comprises a central passage surrounding an aperture axis, and the boost aperture is positioned adjacent the fluid aperture a first distance from the aperture axis.
The coating fluid reservoir of any of Embodiments 16 to 17 wherein the boost aperture comprises a at least one aperture surrounding the fluid aperture.
The coating fluid reservoir of any of Embodiments 16 to 18 wherein the fluid aperture is defined by an axial passage through a coupling protrusion, the coupling protrusion comprising a protrusion mating surface configured to seal against a compatible barrel of a spray gun.
The coating fluid reservoir of Embodiment 19 wherein the boost aperture comprises a plurality of apertures surrounding the coupling protrusion.
The coating fluid reservoir of any of Embodiments 16-20 wherein the lid member further comprises a reservoir connector comprising a retention member adapted to retain the lid member on a compatible barrel.
The coating fluid reservoir of any of Embodiments 16-21 wherein the separating member comprises a compressible pouch surrounding the coating fluid chamber.
The coating fluid reservoir of any of Embodiments 16-22 wherein the boost fluid chamber surrounds the coating fluid chamber.
The coating fluid reservoir of any of Embodiments 16-22 wherein the boost fluid chamber is surrounded by an outer housing.
The coating fluid reservoir of Embodiment 24 wherein the outer housing comprises the lid member and a separable cup member.
The coating fluid reservoir of Embodiment 25 wherein the lid member is joined to the separable cup member by a collar.
The coating fluid reservoir of Embodiment 24 wherein the lid member is integral with and forms one end of the outer housing.
The coating fluid reservoir of any of Embodiments 16-27 comprising a fluid aperture sealing member adapted to fluidly isolate the fluid aperture from the boost aperture upon connection of the coating fluid reservoir to a compatible barrel.
The coating fluid reservoir of any of Embodiments 16-28 comprising a boost aperture sealing member adapted to fluidly isolate the boost aperture from an ambient atmosphere upon connection of the coating fluid reservoir to a compatible barrel.
A spray gun comprising a spray gun platform, the spray gun platform comprising a barrel interface adapted for connection of a separable barrel, an fluid inlet, and a trigger valve, the barrel interface comprising a boost port that is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet upon actuation of the trigger valve.
A spray gun comprising a spray gun platform, the spray gun platform comprising a barrel, the barrel comprising a boost passageway, a fluid passageway, and a fluid interface, the fluid interface comprising a boost delivery port in fluid communication with the boost passageway and a fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid passageway.
The spray gun of Embodiment 31 further comprising an fluid inlet and a trigger valve, wherein the boost delivery port is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet upon actuation of the trigger valve.
The spray gun of any of Embodiments 31-32 wherein the barrel is integral with the spray gun platform.
The spray gun of any of Embodiments 31-32 wherein the barrel is separable from the spray gun platform and wherein the barrel comprises a gun interface and the spray gun platform comprises a barrel interface, the gun interface being releasably connected to the barrel interface.
The spray gun of any of Embodiments 31-34 further comprising a coating fluid reservoir connected to the fluid interface.
The spray gun of Embodiment 35 wherein the coating fluid reservoir comprises a boost aperture in fluid communication with the boost delivery port, and a fluid aperture in fluid communication with the fluid port.
The spray gun of Embodiment 36 wherein the coating fluid reservoir comprises a boost fluid chamber in fluid communication with the boost aperture and a coating fluid chamber in fluid communication with the fluid aperture.
The spray gun of Embodiment 37 wherein the coating fluid reservoir comprises a separating member fluidly isolating the boost fluid chamber from the coating fluid chamber.
A pouch for assembly into a compatible barrel, the pouch comprising:
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description below. In no event, however, should the above summaries be construed as limitations on the claimed subject matter, which subject matter is defined solely by the attached claims, as may be amended during prosecution.
Throughout the specification, reference is made to the appended drawings, where like reference numerals designate like elements, and wherein:
Referring to
As better visualized by reference to
In addition to the above flow paths, the cross section of
In some embodiments, the flow rate of a boost fluid 52 entering the boost fluid chamber 88 can be regulated by a boost variable flow control 50 (shown schematically in, for example,
The boost variable flow control 50, when included, may comprise any suitable variable flow control mechanism such a needle valve or other variable orifice. The boost variable flow control 50 may be included in any location on the spray gun 2 that is functionally upstream of the boost fluid chamber 88, but may be advantageously located on a certain readily accessible portion thereof, depending on the gun configuration. For example, in some embodiments, a boost variable flow control 50 is located on the barrel 20 in communication with the boost passageway 48. In other embodiments, the boost variable flow control 50 is located in the coating fluid reservoir 80 to regulate boost fluid 52 entering the boost chamber. In the above two configurations, due to the potential for single or limited duration use, it may be advantageous to provide the boost variable flow control 50 in a form that is relatively inexpensive and disposable. Still in other embodiments, the boost variable flow control 50 is located on the spray gun platform 3. If located on the spray gun platform 3, the boost variable flow control 50 may be constructed to last for the useful life of the spray gun platform 3. For reference,
Advantageously, the boost variable flow control 50 need not have the capability to act as a shut-off device for the boost fluid 52 and can be omitted entirely. This is because, as a result of the coating fluid 60 being confined to a coating fluid chamber 84 that is fluidly isolated from the boost fluid chamber 88, there is no risk of a coating fluid 60 running into the boost passageway 48 from the coating fluid reservoir 80.
In the absence of a boost variable flow control 50 valve, the flow of boost fluid 52 can be regulated or maintained within suitable operating levels by other means such as a fixed orifice or simply by choice of appropriate fluid conduit sizes. In some embodiments, no specific means of regulating boost fluid 52 flow is required, as simple unregulated diversion of fluid sourced from the spray gun platform 3 will suffice. This may be particularly true where fluid entering the fluid inlet 7 is already regulated by means of a device such as a pressure regulator.
Referring to
Any manner of sealing mechanism may be employed to ensure fluid isolation between the coating fluid passageway 36 and the boost passageway 48, and between the boost passageway 48 and an ambient atmosphere. For example, tightly fitting parts may suffice, particularly where relatively low fluid pressure are employed. As schematically shown throughout
Greater detail of an exemplary barrel 20 and coating fluid reservoir 80 assembly can be seen in
The coating fluid reservoir 80 comprises an outer housing 116 comprising a separable cup member 120 closed by a lid member 96. In the embodiment shown in
The outer housing 116 may comprise any material or construction suitable for containing a pressurized boost fluid 52 and surrounding a coating fluid chamber 84. For example, the outer housing 116 may comprise rigid or flexible walls. Where a flexible wall is chosen, the outer housing 116 may inflate upon introduction of a pressurized boost fluid 52 into the boost fluid chamber 88. Such inflation may occur to the extent necessary to provide pressure against the coating fluid chamber 84, and need only last until application of coating fluid 60 is complete, after which the flexible walls can be collapsed. A flexible walled outer housing 116 may advantageously consume less space for storage and shipping purposes (due to being collapsible), and may additionally require less material and therefore be lighter and less costly. On the other hand, a rigid walled outer housing 116 may provide increased structure for the coating fluid reservoir 80 such that the coating fluid chamber 84 is well contained and is not prone to flopping or falling over during installation or use. In some embodiments, a hybrid construction may be used, wherein a flexible material is supported at least in part by one or more structural members to assist in providing increased rigidity to the otherwise flexible walls. Such a hybrid construction may advantageously combine benefits of both types of constructions described above. In some embodiments, a separable cup member 120 comprises a flexible wall, but the lid member 96 is rigid. In some embodiments, the separable cup member 120 is rigid, while the lid member 96 is at least partly flexible (i.e., rigid at the reservoir connector 100 to provide a secure connection to the barrel 20, but flexible elsewhere). In some embodiments, both the separable cup member 120 and the lid member 96 are flexible (again, with the lid member 96 being rigid at the reservoir connector 100 to provide a secure connection to the barrel 20, but flexible elsewhere).
Suitable materials for a flexible-walled outer housing 116 include those described herein for use as a separating member 92. Whether rigid or flexible materials are employed for the outer housing 116 or its components, a pressure relief member 12 may be advantageously employed for reasons described herein. The outer housing 116 and its components (whether rigid or flexible) could be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and natural or colored, printed with indicia of source/contents/volume or not—or any combination thereof.
In the alternative embodiment shown in
Within the outer housing 116 is a separating member 92 separating a coating fluid chamber 84 from the boost fluid chamber 88. The coating fluid chamber 84 is adapted to be filled with a coating fluid 60. In one embodiment, the coating fluid reservoir 80 (e.g., the outer housing 116, the separable cup member 120, the lid member 96, or the collar 124) comprises a pressure relief member 12 adapted to release boost fluid 52 from the coating fluid reservoir 80 if the boost fluid 52 exceeds a predetermined pressure. In order to ensure proper function of the boost fluid 52 acting upon the coating fluid chamber 84, this predetermined pressure should be selected to be higher than expected operating pressures of the boost fluid 52. Such a pressure relief member 12 is optional.
The separating member 92 may be impermeable to the coating fluid 60, to the boost fluid 52, or to both. In such embodiments, a coating fluid 60 in the coating fluid chamber 84 is fluidly isolated from the boost chamber, and therefore the boost aperture 108. Therefore, the coating fluid 60 is unable to enter the boost passageway 48 where it could be wasted or cause contamination of the gun. This is the case regardless of the orientation of the coating fluid reservoir 80 relative to the spray gun 2. For example, when the filled coating fluid reservoir 80 is oriented above the spray gun 2, gravity will tend to urge the coating fluid 60 to enter the boost passageway 48, but the separating member 92 will keep the coating fluid 60 contained within the coating fluid chamber 84. Said differently, in the absence of the separating member 92, gravity would tend to urge the coating fluid 60 to enter the boost passageway 48.
The separating member 92 may further comprise a material that permits the coating fluid chamber 84 to collapse as the boost fluid 52 applies pressure to an outer surface thereof and coating fluid 60 is expelled through the fluid aperture 104 to be sprayed. In one embodiment, the separating member 92 comprises a thermo/vacuum formed liner member as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0256484 to Joseph et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety (see, e.g., reference number 13 therein, along with associated description and figures). In some embodiments, the separating member 92 comprises a pouch 93, as further described elsewhere in this specification. In any event, the separating member 92 may comprise a single layer or multiple layers of material suitable for achieving the functions described herein.
As noted above, the separating member 92 may comprise a construction that expands or contracts in response to the addition of a pressurized boost fluid into the boost fluid chamber, and thereby modifies the volume of the coating fluid chamber to urge or force coating liquid from the coating liquid chamber. Such expansion and/or contraction may be accomplished in more than one way. For example, the material of the separating member may accommodate an increase in boost fluid chamber volume by stretching, unfolding, un-collapsing, un-crumpling, or by a combination of mechanisms. For example, the separating member may comprise a resiliently expandable material (akin to an elastic rubber balloon) that inflates as the boost fluid chamber volume increases. In such embodiments, the surface area of the separating member material can increase by elastic deformation, plastic deformation, or both, as the boost fluid chamber volume increases. Such embodiments can be likened to a balloon within an enclosing container, wherein the inside of the balloon (i.e., the boost fluid chamber) begins as a small volume, and expands to fill the remaining space (i.e., the coating liquid chamber) within the enclosing container such that a fluid within the remaining space is forced out. In some embodiments, the separating member may be initially folded, collapsed, crumpled, or combinations thereof (e.g., in the manner of a vehicle airbag before it has been deployed), and may respectively unfold, un-collapse, un-crumple, or combinations thereof as the boost fluid chamber volume increases. In such embodiments, the surface area of the separating member material need not (but may, depending on the elasticity of the materials chosen) increase as the boost fluid chamber volume increases.
Moreover, the separating member may comprise a compound construction, wherein at least a portion of the separating member is relatively rigid and non-deformable with respect to other portions of the separating member. For example, the separating member may be constructed to act as a piston within the outer housing, wherein a more rigid portion forms a face of the piston that interfaces with the coating liquid, and other portions of the separating member deform to follow the piston face (e.g., in the manner of accordion bellows, or by elastic or plastic deformation, as described above) as the boost fluid chamber increases in volume. In such embodiments, the more deformable portion(s) of the separating member may be constructed as described in the previous paragraph to stretch, inflate, unfold, un-collapse, un-crumple, or combinations thereof as the boost fluid chamber increases in volume.
In operation, the coating fluid chamber 84 is filled with a coating fluid 60, and the coating fluid reservoir 80 is connected to the barrel 20 of a spray gun 2. As shown, the coating fluid reservoir 80 is connected to the fluid interface 24 of a separable barrel 20. In the connected state, the coating fluid chamber 84 is fluidly connected to the fluid nozzle opening 32 of the barrel 20 via the coating fluid passageway 36, and the boost chamber of the coating fluid reservoir 80 is fluidly connected to the optional boost port 11 of the spray gun 2 via the boost passageway 48. When a pressurized boost fluid 52 is supplied to the boost chamber from the boost port 11, the boost chamber in turn applies pressure to the coating fluid chamber 84 to assist in “squeezing” the coating fluid 60 from the coating fluid chamber 84 and eventually to the fluid nozzle opening 32. Because the boost passageway 48 is routed within the barrel 20, there is no hose or exterior fluid conduit for a user to connect or to interfere with the user's operation of the gun.
In some embodiments, the barrel 20 is separable from the spray gun platform 3. In some embodiments, the barrel 20 is integral with the spray gun platform 3.
Referring now to
In the embodiment shown, the protrusion mating surfaces 103 and the barrel mating surfaces 22 are somewhat complex. However, it is envisioned that such surfaces could more simply cooperate to result in, for example, a piston seal or a face seal. For example, the protrusion mating surface may comprise the outer surface of a cylinder, while the barrel 20 mating surface may comprise a cooperating inner wall of a cylindrical socket. A sealing member may be provided to correspond to either or both of the protrusion mating surface(s) and the barrel 20 mating surface(s). Exemplary sealing members include o-rings, gaskets, overmolded polymers (e.g., thermoplastic elastomers such as SANTOPRENE), and the like.
The coupling protrusion 102 may formed as an integral feature of a cap member 94, or may be connected (such as by a press fit) to a cap member 94. See, for example,
Turning now to
In some embodiments, the lid member 96 is persistently connected to the cap member 94 such that the entire assembly (as shown in
In any of the embodiments described herein, a coating fluid chamber closure 85 may be provided to close the coating fluid chamber 84 to prevent or slow deterioration of a coating fluid 60 therein. One example is depicted in dashed lines in
In such embodiments, once pierced and prior to application of coating fluid 60, the end user may add (for example by injection) a catalyst or other additive into the coating fluid chamber 84. This step may be performed prior to or after assembly of the coating fluid reservoir 80 onto the barrel 20. It is also envisioned that the coating fluid chamber 84 may also comprise more than one section containing different coating fluids or components of coating fluids, and that such sections may both be pierced prior to application. For example, the coating fluid chamber 84 may comprise a first section comprising a coating fluid 60 and a second section comprising a catalyst for the coating fluid 60. Upon piercing, the fluids in the two sections are permitted to combine prior to application. In some embodiments, the barrel 20 or coating fluid reservoir 80 (e.g., perhaps integral to the lid member 96 or cap member 94, comprises a piercing member 86 that pierces both sections upon installation of the coating fluid reservoir 80 onto the barrel 20. Although “piercing” is explicitly discussed above as an example, other forms of defeating or opening the coating fluid chamber closure 85 are contemplated—for example, rupturing, removing an adhesive tab, melting, tearing, etc.
In embodiments without a closure member, or where a coating fluid chamber closure 85 is pierced prior to assembly of the coating fluid reservoir 80 on to the barrel, the spray gun 2 may need to be inverted prior to connection (i.e., to prevent coating fluid from leaking out of the coating fluid reservoir 80).
Turning now to
In
Turning now to
In some embodiments, such as the one depicted in
Various modifications and alterations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/US2013/028985, filed Mar. 5, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/607,386, filed Mar. 6, 2012, and to Provisional Application No. 61/643,745, filed May 7, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2013/028985 | 3/5/2013 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013/134182 | 9/12/2013 | WO | A |
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