GB2255005A

GB2255005A - Surface coating stripper

Info

Publication number: GB2255005A
Application number: GB9208969A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Graham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-26
Filing date: 1992-04-24
Publication date: 1992-10-28
Also published as: GB9208969D0; GB9109026D0

Abstract

A device for use when stripping coatings from a surface comprising a steam applicator 2 adapted to receive steam from a steam generator 4 and to direct it onto the surface via at least one steam outlet (8, Fig 2). The steam applicator 2 may be of a tapered form having a single apical steam outlet (8). <IMAGE>

Description

Surface Coatina Stripper This invention relates to a device for stripping surfaces. For example, the invention finds application in stripping paint, varnish and other coatings from walls, doors and the like. The invention also finds application in stripping paint and varnish from furniture and artexing.

In the past, it has been common to use a tool with a triangular metal blade to scrape surfaces in an attempt to remove any coat of paint, varnish and so on. As this has proven to be a difficult task, certain chemicals have previously been applied to the surface in order to react with the coating, thereby reducing the difficulty of scraping the coating off the surface.

An example of such a chemical, used to remove varnish from surfaces, is NITROMORSE (Trade Mark).

However, the use of chemicals, such as the above, are not altogether practical. For example, most chemicals used for this purpose have a toxic odour which necessitates ventilating areas where it is applied.

Often, the odour from these chemicals will give the user a headache or other undesirable symptoms.

Furthermore, different chemicals are more appropriate to different coatings. For example, NITROMORSE is more appropriately used to remove varnish while not so appropriate for removing paint, where another chemical would be more suitable. It therefore becomes necessary to apply each chemical independently, even where a paint and varnish combination coating has been applied to a surface.

Yet another problem associated with paint, varnish, wall paper and other coating removers in the past has been that the chemicals often need to be applied up to 20 minutes before scraping may be performed. This time lag is required to allow the chemicals to react with the coating. Yet further, the effectiveness of such chemicals and other removers has been somewhat limited in that not all layers of a coating are removed at a time. Rather, it is generally necessary to reapply the remover on a second and sometimes third occasion.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for use when stripping coatings from a surface, comprising a steam applicator adapted to receive steam from a steam generator and to direct it onto the surface.

Preferably, the steam applicator is connectable to a steam generator.

Preferably, the steam applicator includes one or more steam channels for said steam.

Preferably, the steam channels include one or more steam outlets.

Preferably, the device includes detachable connection means for connection to a flexible hose which is attached to a steam generator in the form of a boiler.

Preferably, the device is suitable for hand use and includes a handle.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for use when stripping coatings from a surface, comprising a steam applicator adapted to receive steam from a steam generator and to direct it onto the surface, wherein the steam applicator comprises a tapered head having a single'apical steam outlet.

Preferably, the steam applicator has a connecting means to connect it to a steam generator.

Preferably, the tapered head of the steam applicator has an internal channel for said steam leading to the outlet.

Preferably, the device is connected to the steam generator via a flexible hose.

Preferably, the device is rigid and elongate and suitable for hand use.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, in accordance with the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of a first embodiment of the device of the present invention, attached to a boiler via a flexible hose; Fig. 2 is a front view of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a front and side view of a third embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 4 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the device of the present invention with steam channel shown by broken lines.

Referring firstly to Fig.1, a device for stripping varnish, paint and wall paper and other coatings from a surface, such as a wall, door or furniture, includes a steam applicator 2, a flexible hose 3 and a steam generator in the form of a boiler or kettle 4. The steam applicator further includes a handle 5, a connecting means 9, steam channels 10 and outlet 8.

Steam is produced by the kettle 4 and flows through the flexible hose 3 into the steam applicator. Steam, preferably at relatively low pressure, is emitted from the outlet nozzles 8 and applied to the coating which is required to be removed from the surface.

A connecting means 9 is used between the flexible hose 3 and the steam applicator 2. Preferably, this provides a quick and simple means by which a steam applicator 2 may be replaced. In this way, a number of applicators may be made available and specialised in design to suit the appropriate surface and coating to which they are to be applied. Similarly, number or situation of the steam outlet holes 8 may be diversified over a number of applicators to suit the surface and/or coating requirements and accessibility requirements of a particular task.

Figs. 2 and 3 show further embodiments of the invention, wherein the device is designed purely for the application of steam to a surface. In the figures, steam channels 10 are comprised within the applicator 2 and are in communication with steam which travels from the kettle through the flexible hose. The number and location of the steam outlets 8 are adapted in accordance with the particular application or task which the applicator is required to perform.

For example, the embodiment of Fig. 3 is especially suited for removing artexing on surfaces that have a gloss or silk type paint applied to them. This type of paint is harder to penetrate and thus the applicator of Fig. 3 is suitable since it concentrates the steam into a confined area.

Fig 4. shows a steam applicator 2 particularly for removal of paint and varnish. This device is an elongated needle shape with one outlet 8 for concentrated steam. The steam is concentrated at a low pressure through the steam channel 10 within the device and directed onto the area of the surface to be stripped. The paint and varnish or other coating can be scraped off by moving a scraper along the surface behind the steam jet. The paint and varnish or other coating peels off in strips where the device outlet 8 has been directed. The steam applicator 2 is detachably connected to a flexible hose or other means, which in turn is connectable to a steam generator.

The different embodiments of the device may be used depending on the surface areas to be stripped and the coating or covering thereon. The device of Fig 4. may be used for small areas where a restricted jet of steam is required.

It has been found by experimentation that approximately 11 litres of water in an appropriate sized boiler would last for 2 hours of use. Furthermore, the application of steam has been found to be more effective than most, if not all, of the chemicals used for a similar purpose presently known, and is also not accompanied by undesirable odours and the like.

Further modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for use when stripping coatings from a surface, comprising a steam applicator adapted to receive steam from a steam applicator and to direct it onto the surface.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the steam applicator is connectable to a steam generator.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1, or Claim 2 wherein the steam applicator includes one or more steam channels for said steam.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the steam channels include one or more steam outlets.

5. A device as Claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the device includes detachable connection means for connection to a flexible hose which is attached to a steam generator in the form of a boiler.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is suitable for hand use and includes a handle.

7. A device for stripping coatings from a surface, comprising a steam applicator adapted to receive.

steam from a steam generator and to direct it onto the surface, wherein the steam applicator comprises a tapered head having a single apical steam outlet.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the steam applicator has a connecting means to connect it to a steam generator.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the tapered head of the steam applicator has an internal channel for said steam leading to the outlet.

10. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10, wherein the device is connected to the steam generator via a flexible hose.

11. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 11, wherein the device is rigid, elongate and suitable for hand use.

12. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.