GB2255294A

GB2255294A - Spreading device

Info

Publication number: GB2255294A
Application number: GB9108857A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul John Charles Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-25
Filing date: 1991-04-25
Publication date: 1992-11-04
Also published as: WO1992019126A1; GB9108857D0

Abstract

A paint brush comprising a bundle of natural or synthetic fibres (4) whose base region is mounted in a coupling (2) attachable to a squeezable container (1). The coupling (2) has a through-passage (5), preferably of a stepped cross-section (5a, 5b) connecting the base of the fibre bundle (4) with the interior of the container (1) the arrangement being such that, in use, paint can be supplied to the interior of the base of the bundle of fibres when the container is squeezed.

Description

SPREADING DEVICE DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to device for spreading a film of a flowable medium over a surface.

In many areas of human activity it is necessary to spread a film of a flowable medium over a surface. For instance, when a building is decorated there is often the need to paint the woodwork, such a skirting boards and door frames. Additionally, coatings other than a paint finish may be desired, for example clear or tinted varnishes.

Conventional devices used for these puposes are the combination of a brush, or foam pad, and a tin or a roller and a paint tray. Rollers are very effective for coating large flat surfaces. However, they are less suitable for surfaces having other than a flat profile. Furthermore, in use they have a tendency to spray the user with droplets of paint.

The use of a brush and a tin has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, there is the need to ensure that the correct amount of paint has been taken up by the bristles of the brush. In practice, an excess of paint is usually taken up and must be removed by drawing the bristles over the rim of the tin. This results in both a build up of congealed paint, which makes it difficult to reseal the tin, and also dribbles down the outside of the tin resulting in unwanted mess.

Secondly, there are occasions when it is necessary to work in locations where there is no suitable resting place for the tin but where it is advisable that the painter steady himself with one hand, e.g. on a ladder.

The need to hold the tin in such situations can result in serious accidents.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art spreading devices. Nevertheless, it is not intended that the invention be restricted to any particular spreading task.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for spreading a film of a flowable medium over a surface comprising a container, an applicator, including spreading means attached thereto, the applicator having a through-passage connecting the spreading means with the interior of the container and arranged to allow flowable medium to be transfered from the container opening to the spreading means.

Advantageously, the container is sqeezably resilient such that deformation of the container causes flowable medium to move through the passage in the applicator from the container to the spreading means and relaxation of the container causes excess flowable medium to be drawn away from the spreading means towards the container. Suitable containers can be formed from plastic resin material.

Surprising benefits may be obtained if the through-passage is arranged such that the its cross-sectional area adjacent the spreading means is less than its cross-sectional area adjacent the container. This may be achieved either by providing a step in the passageway or by tapering the passageway.

Such an arrangement improves the flow characteristics of medium moving from the container to the spreading means over those of device having a constant area through-passage.

Preferably, the applicator is adapted to be screw fitted onto the container. However, other arrangements could be used and it is envisaged that, in some circumstances, it will be desirable to permanently affix the applicator to the container An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a device according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, along the line X-X in Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, flowable medium, e.g.

paint, is stored in a sqeezably resilient bottle 1, formed from plastic resin material. The type of plastic resin material used for the bottle would be determined in part by the nature of the flowable medium to be stored in the bottle. An applicator including spreading means 4 supported in coupling means 2, substantially in the form of a solid truncated cone, threadably engages the bottle 1, such that the wider end of the cone covers an opening 3 at one end of the bottle 1. " Conveniently, the spreading means is in the form of a brush head 4, and comprises a plurality of parallel bristles shaped to form a cylinder supported within and extending beyond the narrower end of the cone 2. A through-passage 5 extends through the coupling means 2, to provide a path for flowable medium between the opening 3 in the bottle 1 and the brush head 4.The through-passage 5 comprises a first portion 5a, extending part way into the coupling means 2 towards the brush head 4 and having a first diameter, e.g.

6.4mm, and a second portion 5b, narrower than the first portion 5a, e.g. 3.2mm in diameter, extending from the brush head 4 to a point where it meets the first portion Sa. The stated dimensions are given by way of example only and may be altered depending on the medium to be dispensed from the bottle 1.

In use, the bottle 1 is filled with a quantity of the flowable medium to be dispensed and the applicator is then secured thereto. The brush head 4 is charged with flowable medium by sqeezing the bottle 1 which causes the medium to pass through the passage 5 in the coupling means 2. The device is then manipulated in the manner of a paint brush to coat a surface with the -flowable medium contained therein.

During pauses in, and at the end of, the coating procedure, the bottle 1 will regain its original shape, when the pressure on the bottle 1 is released, thereby sucking excess flowable medium away from the brush head 4 through the passage 5. As a result the device is virtually drip-free when being used which is a substantial advantage of the present invention over prior art devices.

It is envisaged that the shape of the brush head 4 will be varied to suit the task to which the device is to be applied. Furthermore, the dimensions of the through-passage 5 will be changed in dependance on the qualities of the flowable medium stored in the bottle 1 and the required flow rates.

Claims

1. A device for spreading a film of a flowable medium over a surface comprising a container, an applicator including spreading means attached thereto, the applicator having a through-passage, connecting the spreading means with the interior of the container and arranged to allow flowable medium to be transfered from the container opening to the spreading means.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the container is sqeezably resilient such that deformation of the container causes flowable medium to move through the passage between the container and the spreading means and relaxation of the container causes excess flowable medium to be drawn away from the spreading means towards the container

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional area. of the through-passage adjacent the spreading means is less than its cross-sectional area adjacent the container opening.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the through-passage is has a first portion of a first cross-sectional area and a second portion of a lesser cross-sectional area.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the spreading means comprises a brush.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1,2 or 3, wherein the spreading means comprises a foam pad.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the applicator is attached to the container by means of respective complementary threaded portions.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is formed from plastic resin material.

9, A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the spreading means has a circular cross-section.

10. A device for spreading a film of a flowable medium over a surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.