• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A cylindrical tube has a spray nozzle about halfway down. A slot extending about half way down the tube allows a paint brush or paint roller to be inserted into the enclosure, where it is cleansed by water sprayed from the nozzle. An internal rib reduces water outflow through the slot, while angling the spray downward reduces water outflow over the top of the tube.
    公开号:CA2266697A1
    申请号:C2266697
    申请日:1999-03-23
    公开日:1999-09-25
    发明作者:Lawrence Martel
    申请人:Lawrence Martel；
    IPC主号:B05C21-00
    专利说明:
    [1" class="description-paragraph] PAT'S ROLLER AND BRUSH CLEANERThis invention relates to cleaning devices for painting tools such as brushes, rollers and the like. Atube contains an internal nozzle connected to an external fluid supply to spray fluid on paint rollers and brushes washing paint off them, and a method of washing and cleaning paint rollers and brushes.Although the invention is described and referred to specifically as it relates to specific devices, structures and methods for washing painting tools, it will be understood that the principles of this invention are equally applicable to similar devices, structures and methods of washing and cleaning similar tools and accordingly, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such devices, structures and methods for washing and cleaning painting tools. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Many, if not most, currently available and used paints are water-based and water-soluble or water-dispersed. After use paint brushes and rollers need to be cleaned as soon as possible, before any paint on them dries or hardens, which is typically done by washing them with water. Commonly this is done by a stream of water fram a faucet or hose, which is inefficient, ineffective, time consuming, and an inconvenience. The brush or roller is rarely completely clean after this sort of washing. PRIOR ART Numerous patents attest to the existence of the problem of cleaning paint brushes and rollers, and their very number attests to the difficulty of solving the prablem. The only reference applicant is aware of is U.S. Patent 5,651,381, issued Jul. 29, 1997, which teaches a device for cleaning a 'roller cover', by which is meant the rotatable cylindrical part of the roller covered with paint absorbent material. The device consists of a fairly complex enclosing structure with top housing, bottom housing, intermediate horizontal main frame, and side housing within which is a nozzle mounted in a slide. The device has to be taken apart and a roller put inside, then the device put back together. When attached to a garden hose or the like the nozzle can be hand slid within the side housing washing the roller inside. It is a principal object of the invention to provide simple to operate paint roller and brush cleaner. It is a further principal object of the invention to provide an effective paint roller and brush cleaner. It is a principal object of the invention to provide a tube having an upright slot extending downwards (so rollers and brushes may be slid down by their handles) and an aperture to receive a conduit in the side of the tube {so a fluid, liquid or water stream may be directed at the rollers and brushes). It is a subsidiary object to provide drainage openings at the base of the tube. It is a subsidiary object to provide a flap to cover the slot. It is a subsidiary object to provide a lid to cover the top of the tube. It is a subsidiary object to provide an internal spray tip on said conduit {so rollers and brushes are sprayed with fluid, liquid or water). It is a subsidiary object that the spray from the tip be angled downward. It is a subsidiary object to provide internal vertical ribs in the tube (to deflect peripheral fluid, liquid or water flow from the slot). It is a subsidiary object to provide circumferential beading at the top and bottom of the tube to strengthen them. Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings.
    [2" class="description-paragraph] 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn one broad aspect the invention is directed to cleaning apparatus for paint rollers and brushes, which comprises a tubular enclosure having level top and bottom ends to stand upright on a substrate. The enclosure has a vertical slot extending at least halfway down from its top end, and an aperture for a fluid conduit passing through the enclosure about halfway between the top and botaom ends. The aperture is conveniently about a right angle circumferentially from the slot. Preferably the aperture is generally cylindrical with one or more axial extending radial grooves forming a socket to register a cylindrical conduit having one or more axial extending radial splines to matingly engage the grooves. Preferably the enclosure has at least one internal vertical rib member adjacent one side of the slot. There may be two internal vertical rib members, each adjacent one side of the slot. There may also be another internal vertical rib member opposite the slot. The tubular enclosure may be cylindrical. The tubular enclosure may be clear. The upper and lower ends of the enclosure may have circumferential beads. The lower end of the enclosure may have drainage openings. The slot may have a flap anchored on one side, and extending across the slat. The flap may be internal or external of the enclosure. A lid may be supplied having a top wall with a peripheral flange wall to engage the top end of the enclosure. The lid is preferably clear. Neither lid nor flap are strictly necessary, but their presence reduces the chance of the operator getting soaked, and of paint residues being sprayed around the room. Similarly neither drainage openings, nor the reinforcing circumferential beads are strictly necessary.In a second broad aspect the invention is directed to a cleaning apparatus for paint rollers and brushes having a tubular enclosure to stand upright on a
    [3" class="description-paragraph] 3 substrate having level top and bottom ends. The enclosure has a vertical slot extending at least halfway down from the top end, and a fluid conduit passing through an aperture in the enclosure. The aperture is about halfway between the top and bottom ends, and about a right angle circumferentially from the slot. The fluid conduit has an spray tip internal of the enclosure. The tip preferably has a downward angled spray channel. The tip may be an internal washer pressure tip, which itself is angled downward, or the tip may be itself level and comprise a downward angled spray channel. The tip may be an internal fan jet spray gun nozzle, which preferably has an ~ inch to 4 inch nozzle spraying a cone about 2 to about 4 inches in diameter at 5 inches. The fluid conduit has an internal spray pressure tip, which is preferably sprays angled downward, preferably at an angle from about 22~° to about 67~°, more preferably from about 45° to about 67~°. These angles mean about a quarter right angle (22~°), about half a right angle (45°), and about three quarters of a right angle (67~°), throughout the specification. Typically the enclosure has at least one internal vertical rib member adjacent one side of the slot. Typically the tubular enclosure is cylindrical. Typically the fluid conduit has a threaded external nipple, which may be female or male to engage a pressure supply hose, more preferably it is male to receive a female nipple as on a pressure supply hose. Typically the aperture has one or more grooves and the conduit has one or more splines, which matingly engage the grooves.In a third broad aspect the invention is directed to a method of cleaning a paint roller. First the roller is held with its axis of rotation upright in a circumjacent enclosure having a closed removable top, then a stream of water is directed at the roller to rotate and wash the roller free of paint. The stream of water simultaneously washes and spins the roller, hurling paint and water
    [4" class="description-paragraph] 4 against the walls of the enclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFig. 1 is a side part sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.Fig. 2 is a top part sectional view of an embodiment of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a top part sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.Fig. 4 is a side part sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.Fig. 5 is a top sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 4.Fig. 6 is a side view of an aperture of the embodiment of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a nozzle to fit the aperture of Fig. 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe invention is now illustrated by reference to preferred embodiments thereof. Numeral 10 indicates a paint roller and brush cleaner of the invention. In Fig.1 cleaner 10 stands in sink 12, which may be a kitchen, laundry, slop or the like sink. In Fig. 1 cleaner 10 has cylindrical tube 14 of 6 inch inner diameter, 6~ inch outer diameter, thickness of ~ inch, depth at least 17 and preferably 22 inches. Extending down the side of tube is slot 16 to allow handles of rollers to be slid down, which is about 4 inch wide and at least 10 inches deep. Slot 16 may have a flap, cover or guard 18 as in Fig. 2, or 19 as in Fig. 3, which may be internal or external of the tube to prevent or at least reduce water passing outward through the slot. Flap 18 or 19, extends the length of the slot, and is made of flexible material, such as rubber or plastic. In Fig. 4 tube 14 has depth 19~ inches, internal diameter 5~ inch, external diameter 6~ inch, and thickness ~ inch, it also has optional top
    [5" class="description-paragraph] 5 48 and bottom circumferential beads expanding thickness to 4 inch. Slot 16 is ~ inch wide, and 14 inches deep, these dimensions can be routinely varied as those skilled in the art are aware. In Figs. 4 and 5 Internal rib 44 is integrally moulded with tube 14, extending radially 4 inch inward, and having a thickness of 3/16 inch.Aperture 52 to accomodate conduit 20 is ~ inch in diameter and centered 10~ inches up the tube. Aperture 52 preferably has upper and lower slots or grooves 54 and 56. Nozzle 58 has male thread 60, and upper and lower lugs, flanges or splines 62 and 64 to fit upper and lower slots 54 and 56, and downwardly angled spray channel 66.As those skilled in the art are aware all these indicated dimensions can be varied, to accommodate rollers of different sizes. The depth should be sufficient to accommodate the narrowest rollers, preferably to accommodate most rollers including the widest, likewise the internal diameter of the tube should be sufficient to accomodate the thickest rollers. These are ideals, but those skilled in the art can routinely determine the necessary dimensions to accommodate rollers to be cleaned. Although tube 14 is conveniently and preferably cylindrical, it can have any horizontal cross section which accommodates rollers. The material is immaterial as long as it is not corroded by water, clear, transparent material is preferred but not essential, so the roller may be observed when being cleaned. In practice a suitable plastic, as may be routinely determined by those skilled in the art, is preferred, and clear plastic is more preferred. In use paint roller 36 is slid down slot 16 with handle 40 protruding, lid 32 is placed atop tube 14 and tap 30 opened. Water spraying from nozzle 21 hits roller element 38 with considerable force wetting and spinning it, the water wets the paint and centrifugal force developed by the spinning roller element 38 hurls water carrying paint particles against the inner surface of
    [6" class="description-paragraph] 6 tube 14. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and as happens in practice, the water spray drives roller element 38 anticlockwise, the water carrying paint streams anticlockwise around tube 14 until it meets rib 46 or 42, and is deflected downward. If roller element 38 was on the other side of the axis of tube 14, roller element spins clockwise, and water carrying paint flows clockwise around the inner surface of tube 14, until it meets rib 46 or 44 and is deflected downward. If ribs are absent water carrying paint flows clockwise or anticlockwise around the inner surface of tube 14 and pours out slot 16. Even if ribs are present, some water carrying paint hits slot 16, which is conveniently closed by external flap 18 or internal flap 19. While ribs are not essential, at least one rib adjacent slat 16 is greatly preferred, as shown rib 42 when present, prevents or at least reduces anticlockwise water carrying paint flow entering slot 16. The number of ribs present is not limited, although one, two or three is preferred. Applicant believes without prejudice that wetting together with centrifugal force developed by the rotation of roller element 38, cleans roller element 38 effectively and efficiently.The term 'centrifugal force' as commonly understood and defined, is used herein to explain the outward flow of particles and water from the roller element (in strict science, the cause is absence of 'centripetal force' to prevent outward flow).Applicant has also found that the water spraying inside tube 14 cleans brushes held through slot 16.As those skilled in the art would realize these preferred described details and materials and components can be subjected to substantial variation, modification, change, alteration, and substitution without affecting or
    [7" class="description-paragraph] 7 modifying the function of the described embodiments. Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.
    [8" class="description-paragraph] 8
    权利要求:
    Claims (20)
    [1] 1. Cleaning apparatus for paint rollers and brushes comprising a tubular enclosure to stand upright on a substrate having level top and bottom ends said enclosure having a vertical slot extending at least halfway down from said top end, and an aperture for a fluid conduit passing through said enclosure about halfway between said top and bottom ends, said aperture being about a right angle circumferentially from said slot.
    [2] 2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said aperture is generally cylindrical with an axial extending radial groove forming a socket to register a cylindrical conduit having an axial extending radial spline to matingly engage said groove.
    [3] 3. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein said aperture has a plurality of axial extending radial grooves to register a cylindrical conduit having a plurality of axial extending radial splines to matingly engage said grooves.
    [4] 4. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said enclosure has at least one internal vertical rib member adjacent one side of said slot.
    [5] 5. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tubular enclosure is cylindrical.
    [6] 6. Cleaning apparatus for paint rollers and brushes comprising a tubular enclosure to stand upright on a substrate having level top and bottom ends said enclosure having a vertical slot extending at least halfway down from said top end, and a fluid conduit passing through an aperture in said enclosure, said aperture being about halfway between said top and bottom ends, and about a right angle circumferentially from said slot, and said fluid conduit having an spray tip internal of said enclosure.
    [7] 7. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein said tip has a downward angled spray channel.
    [8] 8. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein said tip is an internal washer pressure tip, which is angled downward.
    [9] 9. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein said tip is level and comprises a downward angled spray channel.
    [10] 10. Apparatus of claim 6 wherein said tip is an internal fan jet spray gun nozzle.
    [11] 11. Apparatus of claim 10, wherein said fan jet spray gun nozzle is an 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch nozzle spraying a cone about 2 to about 4 inches in diameter at 5 inches.
    [12] 12. Apparatus of claim 7, having a downward angle between about 22 1/2° and about 67 1/2.
    [13] 13. Apparatus of claim 12, having a downward angle between 45° and about 67 1/2°.
    [14] 14. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein said conduit has an external threaded nipple to engage a pressure hose,
    [15] 15. Apparatus of claim 14, wherein said external threaded nipple is male to engage a female nipple on a pressure supply hose.
    [16] 16. Apparatus of claim 15, wherein said said external threaded nipple is female to engage a male nipple on a pressure supply hose.
    [17] 17. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein said enclosure has at least one internal vertical rib member adjacent one side of said slot.
    [18] 18. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein said tubular enclosure is cylindrical.
    [19] 19. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein said aperture has at least one groove and said conduit has at least one spline to matingly engage said groove.
    [20] 20. Method of cleaning a paint roller comprising holding said roller with its axis of rotation upright in a circumjacent enclosure, directing a stream of water at said roller to rotate and wash said roller free of paint, whereby the stream of water simultaneously washes and spins said roller, hurling paint and water against the walls of said enclosure.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US7770254B2|2010-08-10|Floor scrubber
    US7383847B2|2008-06-10|Paint implements cleaning system
    US2831488A|1958-04-22|Apparatus for cleaning paint rollers
    US3428060A|1969-02-18|Apparatus for cleaning paint rollers
    US4311158A|1982-01-19|Washer-dryer for paint rollers
    US20080078429A1|2008-04-03|Cleaning device for paint rollers
    US20040151060A1|2004-08-05|Devices, methods and systems for mixing and stirring paints and the like
    US5050626A|1991-09-24|Apparatus for cleaning paint rollers
    US4708152A|1987-11-24|Paint roller cleaner apparatus
    US20080035185A1|2008-02-14|Apparatus for cleaning paint rollers
    US8449693B2|2013-05-28|Paint roller cleaning and drying apparatus
    US5337769A|1994-08-16|Paint roller cover cleaning device
    US10350654B2|2019-07-16|Pipe thread cleaner
    US3117584A|1964-01-14|Sanitary tank spray washer attachment
    US5398365A|1995-03-21|Self-cleaning paint brush
    US6408862B1|2002-06-25|Centrifugal paint roller cleaner
    US6019111A|2000-02-01|Paint roller cleaning system
    US5932028A|1999-08-03|Paint roller cleaner assembly
    US5322081A|1994-06-21|Paint roller cleaner
    US6709581B2|2004-03-23|Pool filter cleaner
    US5935342A|1999-08-10|Paint roller cleaner
    US6450185B1|2002-09-17|Paint roller cover washer
    US8973592B2|2015-03-10|Hands-free paint roller cleaner
    US20040139994A1|2004-07-22|Paint brush cleaning device
    US3139891A|1964-07-07|Paint roller cleaner
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US8938843B2|2009-07-21|2015-01-27|Paint Piranha, Inc.|Paint brush cleaning device|
    法律状态:
    2002-03-25| FZDE| Dead|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US7932298P| true| 1998-03-25|1998-03-25||
    US60/079,322||1998-03-25||
    [返回顶部]