EP2585226B1 - Handheld applicator - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to a hand-held applicator according to the preamble of claim 1.

Hand-held applicators are known in the art in various configurations. They may be used to apply liquid materials such as paint, varnish, glaze, primer, stain, wood preservative or the like. Likewise, they can be designed for applying pasty media, in particular for applying a filler, a sealant or the like.

For example, on the market under the product name "Roller King" a hand-held inking device is available, which comprises a handle portion, a job held in the form of a paint roller and fluidly connected to the order part color reservoir. The ink reservoir is positioned directly above the inking roller so that the inking roller is automatically supplied with the ink received in the ink reservoir under the influence of gravity. However, this structure is disadvantageous to the extent that the ink supply when stroking over head can not be guaranteed. In addition, the ink reservoir must be filled with a funnel, which is very cumbersome in practice.

In a further known embodiment, which is offered by the company Wagner GmbH under the product name "Handi-Roller", the ink reservoir is integrated into the handle-shaped grip part, wherein the ink contained in the ink reservoir with the aid of a manual pumping system actuated on the receiving space of the ink reservoir acting pressing element can be promoted to the ink roller. A disadvantage of such a construction is that the pressure accumulator of the pumping system occupies a large volume. Furthermore, the manual operation of the pumping system is very tedious. In addition, the pressure varies, which is why no uniform ink delivery to the inking roller can be ensured.

In addition, so-called silicone syringes are known, which comprise a handle part, a releasably received on the handle reservoir in the form of a silicone change cartridge, a held on the reservoir and designed as a nozzle application part and an externally acting on the reservoir pressing member which is manually operable and with which the material contained in the reservoir can be pushed through a reservoir opening in the nozzle. A disadvantage of this structure is that the manual operation of the pressing element is very tedious. Furthermore, much experience with the handling of the silicone syringe is required to realize a uniform silicone release. In addition, a pressing rod, over which the pressing element is moved, is still far outward with the silicone exchange cartridge still completely filled, which can be problematic in some applications.

Other applicators are in the DE 36 15 691 A . WO 2009/088539 A1 and US 2955310 A described. The US 2008/0041880 A1 discloses a food handling applicator used in making and decorating food. The US 2005/0238412 A1 relates to an electric toothbrush with integrated dispenser for supplying toothpaste.

The WO 2009/088539 A1 discloses an applicator according to the preamble of claim 1.

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-held applicator of the type mentioned above with an alternative structure, which is flexible and easy to handle, which has small dimensions and in which a uniform color output is guaranteed to the application part.

To achieve this object, the present invention provides a hand-held applicator of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that a rotatable with the motor threaded spindle is provided which selectively moves the pressing element back or forth to promote the material to the application part or the reservoir to fill with new material.

If the threaded spindle is rotated in one direction, the material in the reservoir is conveyed through the reservoir opening to the application part. The delivery volume can be kept constant or varied as needed by the speed of the threaded spindle is adjusted accordingly. If, however, the threaded spindle is rotated in the other direction when the reservoir is at least partially empty, a negative pressure is created under the action of which the reservoir can be filled with new material, for example by connecting it to an external material reservoir via a hose line. Since the threaded spindle is driven by a motor, the handling of the applicator device according to the invention is very convenient and simple. In addition, the volume flow of the material to be supplied to the application part can be precisely adjusted.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the threaded spindle and the pressing member are arranged in the receiving space of the reservoir, wherein the pressing member sealingly abuts against the wall of the receiving space, and the pressing member is rotatably arranged in threaded engagement with the threaded spindle with respect to the receiving space, so that upon rotation of the threaded spindle, depending on its direction of rotation in the receiving space is moved back or forth. The arrangement of the threaded spindle within the receiving space of the reservoir is advantageous in that only very little space is required.

The threaded spindle is preferably mounted on the reservoir, whereby a very compact and stable construction is achieved.

The reservoir is advantageously releasably held on the applicator, which in particular repair, replacement and cleaning operations are simplified.

Preferably, the threaded spindle and the motor via a rotationally fixed connection are detachably connected to each other, whereby the assembly and disassembly of the reservoir is simplified.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir is fluidly connectable either with the application part or with an external ink reservoir.

In particular, a valve for selectively opening one of the two fluid connections or for blocking both fluid connections is provided, whereby the handling of the applicator is greatly simplified.

Preferably, an actuating switch is provided with which the direction of rotation of the motor is reversible and / or the speed of the motor is adjustable and / or the valve is actuated.

The applicator may be provided with a self-sufficient power source and / or may have a power plug for connecting the applicator to an external power source to power the motor.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a distributor is provided in fluid technology in front of the application part, which supplies the material coming from the reservoir to the application part at different points at the same time.

With such a distributor, a continuous and uniform ink supply over the entire length of the ink roller can be realized.

The distributor can be designed as a distributor strip, which is provided in particular with a plurality of mutually aligned or staggered outlet openings.

The distributor is preferably pressed against the application part with a predetermined pressure and is in particular spring-loaded towards the application part.

Figur 1

eine schematische Schnittansicht eines handgehaltenen Auftraggerätes gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung und

Figur 2

eine schematische Schnittansicht eines handgehaltenen Auftraggerätes gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a hand-held applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. That's it

FIG. 1

a schematic sectional view of a hand-held applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention and

FIG. 2

a schematic sectional view of a hand-held applicator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a hand-held applicator 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is for applying paint. The application device 10 comprises a grip part 12, a housing 14 arranged at the free end of the handle part 12, an application part 16 rotatably mounted on the housing 14 in the form of a paint roller, a reservoir 18 accommodated in the housing 14 and fluidly connected to the application part 16 and a receiving space 20 for receiving the paint to be applied, and a fluidly disposed between the applicator 16 and the reservoir 18 manifold 22, which is also positioned on the housing 14.

The reservoir 16, which is removably received in the housing 14, includes a substantially hollow cylindrical reservoir housing 24 defining the receiving space 20. Through the reservoir housing 24 extends centrally a threaded spindle 26 which is rotatably mounted on the reservoir housing 26 by means of a spindle bearing 28. In the reservoir housing 26, a force acting on the receiving space 20 pressing member 30 is received, the rotationally fixed in threaded engagement with the threaded spindle 26 with respect to the Reservoir housing 24 is arranged so that it is on rotation of the threaded spindle 26 in response to its direction of rotation in the receiving space 20 in the direction of arrows 32, 34 is moved forward or back. The rotation of the threaded spindle 26 is realized via a motor 36 which is arranged within the housing 14. A reservoir opening 38 pointing into the interior of the housing 14 is fluidly connected to a line 40 which branches into a supply line 42 and into a refill line 44. The supply line 42 is fluid-technically connected to the manifold 22. The refill line 44 discharges into a refilling nozzle 46 projecting outward from the housing 14, to which a hose line can be connected for refilling the reservoir 18, as will be explained in more detail below. As a branch point of the lines 40, 42 and 44, a valve 48 is arranged, which selectively blocks the supply line 42 or the refill 44. In the locked state of the supply line 42, ink can accordingly flow from the refill line 44 via the line 40 into the reservoir 18 and vice versa. On the other hand, if the valve 48 blocks the refill line 44, paint can flow from the reservoir 18 via the line 40 and the supply line 42 into the distributor 22.

The feed line 42 opens into a distributor chamber 50 of a paint distributor strip 52 of the distributor 22. The color distributor strip 52 has, on its side facing the application part 16, a series of distributor openings 54, the paint introduced into the distributor chamber 50 uniformly over the entire length of the application member 16 on the Output outer circumference of the order part 16. To turn on and off the applicator 10, a pressure switch 56 is provided on the handle part 12. For driving the motor 36, a slide switch 58 is also positioned on the handle part 12. Both the direction of rotation and the speed of the motor 36 can be adjusted via the slide switch 58.

To carry out painting work, when the reservoir 18 is filled with ink, the applicator 10 is switched on in a first step by pressing the pressure switch 56. Thereafter, the refill line 44 is disabled by means of the valve 48. Now, if the slide switch 58 is moved forward in the direction of the housing 14, the motor 36 is driven in the direction of rotation in which the pressing member 30 from the in FIG. 1 shown position in the direction of the arrow 32 is moved. As a result of the movement of the pressing element 30, a pressure is built up within the receiving space 20, so that the ink contained in the reservoir 18 flows through the reservoir opening 38 into the line 40 and from there through the feed line 42 into the distributor space 50 of the color distributor strip 52. The paint leaves the distributor space 50 through the distributor openings 54, the paint being dispensed uniformly over the entire length of the applicator 16 on its outer periphery. The bias generated by the spring elements XY the paint distribution strip 52 is pressed evenly to the application part 16. The output to the application part 16 color can now by unrolling the applicator 16 on a surface of an object to be painted are delivered to the object.

To refill the reservoir 18 with fresh paint, a free end of a hose not shown is connected to the outwardly of the housing 14 of the applicator 10 projecting refill 46. The other free end of the tube is dipped in an external color reservoir, such as a paint bucket. Then, the supply line 42 is blocked and the refill line 44 released by actuation of the valve 48. Now, the slide switch 58 is moved away from the housing 14, the motor 36 is driven so that the pressing member 30 moves within the receiving space 20 of the reservoir 18 in the direction of the arrow 34. As a result of the resulting negative pressure, ink is drawn from the external ink reservoir through the hose, the refill line 44 and the line 40 into the reservoir 18 until the pressing element 30 reaches the position indicated in FIG FIG. 1 has reached the initial position shown. The reservoir 18 is now filled. In a further step, the hose is withdrawn from the refill nozzle 46 and the refill line 44 is blocked by actuation of the valve 48. Subsequently, the coating work can be continued in the manner described above.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an applicator 70 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which serves as an inking device. The applicator 70 comprises a hollow handle portion 72, a arranged on the handle portion 72 housing 74, a rotatably held on the housing applicator portion 76 in the form of an ink roller, a fluidically connected to the applicator 76 reservoir 78, the receiving space 80 for receiving the applied Color defined and a manifold 82 which is housed in the housing 74 and fluidly disposed between the applicator 76 and the reservoir 78.

The reservoir 78, which is detachably received in the housing 74, comprises a substantially hollow-cylindrical reservoir housing 84 in which a threaded spindle 86 extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing is rotatably received by means of a spindle bearing 88. Within the receiving space 80 of the reservoir 78, a substantially disk-shaped pressing member 90 is provided, which bears sealingly against the inner wall of the receiving space 80. The pressing member 90 is rotationally fixed relative to the reservoir housing 84 and threadedly engaged with the threaded spindle 86 such that it is moved back or forth in the direction of the arrows 92, 94 as the threaded spindle 86 rotates depending on its direction of rotation. For rotational driving of the threaded spindle 86, an electric motor 96 is disposed within the grip part 72, which is releasably connected via a quick coupling 97 with the threaded spindle 86. At his to Housing 74 facing the reservoir 78 is provided with a reservoir opening 98 which is fluidly with a conduit 100 in engagement. The conduit 100 branches into a supply conduit 102 leading to the manifold 82 and into a refill conduit 104 which terminates in a refill nozzle 106 which projects outwardly from the handle portion 72 of the applicator 70 and to which a hose may be connected will be described in more detail below. In the branching area, a valve 108 is arranged which optionally blocks the supply line 102 or the refill line 104 depending on its valve position. The supply line 102 opens into a distributor chamber 110, which is defined by a color distributor strip 112 of the distributor 82. The ink manifold 112 has, on its side facing the applicator 76, a plurality of manifold apertures 114 which extend along the entire length of the applicator 76 and deliver paint contained in the manifold 110 evenly to the outer periphery of the applicator 76. The ink distributor strip 112 is guided by means of a guide device 116 in the radial direction of the applicator 76, so that it can be moved radially away from the applicator 76 and radially away from it. In addition, the ink manifold 112 is biased by means of springs 118 in the direction of the applicator 76 so that the ink manifold 112 rests against the applicator 76 with a predetermined pressure.

Claims (12)

1. Hand-held applicator (10, 70) for applying paint, lacquer, glaze, primer, stain or wood preservative to an object, comprising a handle (12, 72), an applicator part (16, 76) held thereon and in the form of a paint roller, a reservoir (18, 78) that is fluidically connectable to the applicator part (16, 76) and defines a receiving space (20, 80) for receiving the material to be applied, a pressing element (30, 90) which acts on the receiving space (20, 80) and with which the material can be pushed through a reservoir opening (38, 98) in the direction of the applicator part (16, 76), and a motor (36, 96), characterized in that a threaded spindle (26, 86) that is rotatable with the motor (36, 96) is provided, said threaded spindle (26, 86) selectively moving the pressing element (30, 90) forward or back in order to deliver the material to the applicator part (16, 76) or to fill the reservoir (18, 78) with new material.
2. Applicator (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the threaded spindle (26, 86) and the pressing element (30, 90) are arranged in the receiving space (20, 80) of the reservoir (18, 78), wherein the pressing element (30, 90) bears against the wall of the receiving space (20, 80) in a sealing manner, and in that the pressing element (30, 90) is arranged in thread engagement with the threaded spindle (26, 86) and in a rotationally conjoint manner with regard to the receiving space (20, 80), such that it is moved forward or back in the receiving space (20, 80) upon rotation of the threaded spindle (26, 86), depending on the direction of rotation thereof.
3. Applicator (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threaded spindle (26, 86) is mounted on the reservoir (18, 78).
4. Applicator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (18, 78) is held detachably thereon.
5. Applicator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threaded spindle (26, 86) and the motor (36, 96) are connected detachably together via a rotationally conjoint connection.
6. Applicator (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (18, 78) is fluidically connectable selectively to the applicator part (16, 76) or to an external paint reservoir.
7. Applicator (10) according to Claim 6, characterized in that a valve (48, 108) for selectively opening one of the two fluid connections or for shutting off the two fluid connections is provided.
8. Applicator (10, 70) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuating switch is provided, with which the direction of rotation of the motor (36, 96) is reversible and/or the rotational speed of the motor (36, 96) is adjustable and/or the valve is actuable.
9. Applicator (10, 70) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with an autonomous energy source and/or a power plug for connecting the applicator (10, 70) to an external energy source.
10. Applicator (10, 70) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distributor is provided fluidically upstream of the applicator part (16, 76).
11. Applicator (10, 70) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the distributor (22, 82) is in the form of a distributor strip.
12. Applicator (10, 70) according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the distributor (22, 82) is pressed against the applicator part (16, 76) with a predetermined pressure, and in particular is springloaded towards the applicator part (16, 76).

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