Paint container comprising an optimised air inlet valve

Abstract

The invention concerns a disposable container (1), intended to contain at least one liquid component to be sprayed and having a bottom (3), at least one peripheral side wall (2) extending from the bottom (3) to an open end spaced apart from and facing said bottom (3), which is provided with a closable vent device (6), characterised in that the closable vent device (6) comprises an aperture (7) forming an air passage, provided in the bottom, and a rotary valve (8) mounted on an outer surface (3a) of said bottom (3) in the extension of the aperture (7), in order to close and open the air passage.

Claims

1. A disposable container for containing at least one liquid component to be sprayed, the disposable container comprising: a bottom (3), at least one peripheral side wall (2) extending from the bottom (3) to an open end spaced apart from and facing said bottom (3), which is provided with a closable vent device (6), characterised in that the closable vent device (6) comprises an aperture (7) configured to form an air passage provided in the bottom (3), and a rotary valve (8) mounted on an outer surface (3a) of said bottom (3) in an extension of the aperture (7), in order to close and open the air passage, wherein the bottom (3) is positioned opposite a connection end (4), wherein the closable vent device (6) includes a cylindrical portion (8c) having a groove (8e) configured to open towards the exterior, wherein the groove is located on at least a quarter turn of the cylindrical portion (8c) and extends into an actuating lever, in order to, depending upon a rotational position of the rotary valve (8), open the air passage by placing the aperture (7) of the bottom (3) in communication with open air or to close said aperture (7).

2. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the rotary valve (8) has a rotation axle (8a) extending in a plane parallel to the outer surface (3a), tightly fitted into jaws (9) that are connected to, and projecting from, said outer surface (3a) of the bottom (3).

3. The container (1) according to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical portion (8c) is in contact with the outer surface (3a) of the bottom (3) and terminating longitudinally at each side by a coaxial end of a smaller diameter in order to constitute the rotation axle (8a) engaged within the jaw (9).

4. The container (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the rotation axle (8a) and the cylindrical portion (8c) are manufactured as one piece.

5. The container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating lever (8b) is rotatable between two positions in abutment constituting end positions, and corresponding respectively to opening and closing of the aperture (7).

6. The container (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the actuating lever (8b), when the rotary valve (8) is in the open position, protrudes on the outer surface (3a) of the bottom (3) and extends beyond other parts of the bottom (3) also projecting on said outer surface (3a).

7. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said container (1) and a jaw (9) are manufactured as one piece.

8. The container (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the container is pre-filled with at least one product, wherein the at least one product comprises at least one of paint, varnish or a cleaning product, and the container comprises a closing element, wherein the closing element comprises at least one of a cover or sealing film (5).

9. The container (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the container comprises internally at least one removable wall (1a) allowing for the realization of at least one sealed compartment for storing and isolating at least one additional component.

10. A tank or cup for a spraying apparatus comprising: a disposable container (1), a removable lid (15) for closing the disposable container (1), said lid (15) being provided with an opening for supplying the spraying apparatus and a filter (16) for filtering the liquid exiting the container (1) through said opening, and an adapter mounted onto the opening in order to realize a detachable connection with said spraying apparatus, wherein the disposable container (1) comprises: a bottom (3), at least one peripheral side wall (2) extending from the bottom (3) to an open end spaced apart from and facing said bottom (3), which is provided with a closable vent device (6), characterised in that the closable vent device (6) comprises an aperture (7) configured to form an air passage provided in the bottom (3), and a rotary valve (8) mounted on an outer surface (3a) of said bottom (3) in the extension of the aperture (7), in order to close and open the air passage, wherein the bottom (3) is positioned opposite a connection end (4), wherein the closable vent device (6) includes a cylindrical portion (8c) having a groove (8e) configured to open towards the exterior, wherein the groove is located on at least a quarter turn of the cylindrical portion (8c) and extends into an actuating lever, in order to, depending upon a rotational position of the rotary valve (8), open the air passage by placing the aperture (7) of the bottom (3) in communication with open air or to close said aperture (7).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given as a non-limiting example and accompanied by drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is an illustration of the container of FIG. 1 wherein the sealing film has been removed,

(4) FIG. 3 is an illustration in top plan view of a sealing film closing the opening of the container according to the invention in top plan view,

(5) FIG. 4 is an illustration in top plan view of a rotary valve according to a first embodiment mounted on the container according to the invention,

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the valve illustrated in FIG. 4,

(7) FIG. 6 is an illustration in top plan view of a rotary valve according to a second embodiment mounted on the container according to the invention,

(8) FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the valve illustrated in FIG. 6,

(9) FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the valve illustrated in FIG. 6,

(10) FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention for a multi-component application with the rotary valve in the open position,

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates the container of FIG. 9 according to another sectional plane,

(12) FIG. 11 is an illustration of the container according to the invention of FIGS. 9 and 10 provided with a sealing film and showing the rotary valve in the closed position,

(13) FIG. 12 is an illustration of the container of FIG. 11 during the separation of the sealing film,

(14) FIG. 13 is another example of use of the container according to the invention, more precisely for mono-component use,

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates the use of the container according to the invention during the extraction of a central tube isolating an additional component,

(16) FIG. 15 illustrates a view of FIG. 14,

(17) FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a spraying apparatus upon which the container according to the invention is mounted, and

(18) FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention, in bottom perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(19) FIG. 1 illustrates according to a perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention. Said container, of a generally substantially cylindrical or truncated conical shape, has a peripheral side wall 2 extending from a bottom 3 to an open end 4. The latter is more precisely visible in FIG. 2.

(20) FIG. 2 shows for example an embodiment of the container 1 provided with an inner compartment delimited by an inner tube 1a. The open end 4, also referred to as a connection end, is advantageously closed by means of a sealing film 5 when the container 1 is filled with one or more products.

(21) The sealing film 5 is shown, not attached to the container 1, in FIG. 3 in top plan view. The sealing film 5 has one or more gripping tabs 5a accessible at the periphery thereof in order to permit better gripping when uncoupling it from the container 1.

(22) The container 1 is also provided, centrally or off-center, on an outer face 3a of the bottom 3 with a closable vent device 6. The latter is shown respectively closed and open, for example in FIGS. 1 and 3.

(23) The closable vent device 6 comprises an aperture 7 formed in the bottom 3 such as to form an air passage. Said aperture 7 is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 9, 11, 12 and 13.

(24) The closable vent device 6 also comprises a rotary valve 8, whereof a first embodiment is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 and whereof a second embodiment is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 6 to 8. The rotary valve 8 is mounted on an outer surface 3a of the bottom 3 and within the extension of the aperture 7. Reference may be made more particularly to FIGS. 9, 11, 12 and 13.

(25) The rotary valve 8 has a rotation axle 8a extending in a plane parallel to the external surface 3a and press fitted into jaws 9. The jaws 9 are advantageously integral with and projecting from the outer surface 3a.

(26) The rotary valve 8 advantageously comprises an actuating lever 8b for moving said rotary valve 8 between two positions in abutment constituting end positions. Said two abutment positions respectively correspond to an opening and a closing of the aperture 7.

(27) The rotary valve 8 also comprises a central cylindrical portion 8c. The latter is in contact with the outer surface 3a of the bottom 3 and terminates longitudinally and axially on each side with a coaxial end of a smaller diameter in order to constitute the rotation axle 8a engaged within a corresponding jaw 9.

(28) According to a first embodiment of the rotary valve 8, the cylindrical portion 8c has also a radial and traversing duct 8d, that makes it possible, depending upon the rotational position of the rotary valve 8, to open the air passage by placing the aperture 7 in communication with open air or to close said aperture 7. Such a rotary valve 8 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(29) According to a second embodiment of the rotary valve 8, the cylindrical portion 8c has a groove 8e opened towards the exterior, for example over a quarter turn of the cylindrical portion 8c, in order to make it possible, depending upon the rotational position of the valve 8, to open the air passage by placing the aperture 7 in communication with open air or to close said aperture 7. Such a rotary valve 8 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

(30) The rotary valve 8 according to the first embodiment is thus illustrated in an open position, for example in FIG. 9 and in a closed position, for example in FIG. 11, 12 or 13.

(31) The container 1 and the jaws 9 are advantageously manufactured as one piece, for example by injection of a plastic material.

(32) The rotation axle 8a and the cylindrical portion 8c are advantageously manufactured as one piece, for example by injection of a plastic material.

(33) The container 1 according to the invention, illustrated for example in FIG. 1, is pre-filled with at least one product such as paint, varnish or a cleaning agent and comprises a closure member which is advantageously constituted by the sealing film 5.

(34) An exemplary embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 17, relates to a bi-component container 1, intended to contain, in a separated and isolated manner, two distinct components. The latter will be mixed before a spraying operation.

(35) Thus, as can be seen for example in FIG. 2, the container 1 internally comprises the tube 1a the lower end 1c of which is engaged within a groove 10, that is for example circular and of a rectangular cross section, provided in the bottom 3. The upper end of the tube 1a is advantageously provided with a peripheral flat surface 1b in order to facilitate the adhesion of the sealing film 5. Particular reference may be made to FIG. 11.

(36) The groove 10 is therefore constituted by means of a U-shape of bottom 3, for example with a radial conical shape on the inner or outer side in order to ensure or improve sealing. According to other embodiments, the sealing may be obtained radially on one side only using sealing lips, tabs in order to realize snap-engagement, nesting or elastic embedding (close fitting engagement using retaining elements) or other sealing elements may be provided, optionally using different materials.

(37) Axial guide ribs may also be provided on the inner tube 1a or within the groove with an axial sealing at the bottom of the groove.

(38) The upper section 2a of the side wall 2 advantageously has a contact surface that is lower than the contact surface of the flat surface 1b. This makes it possible to obtain stronger adhesion between the sealing film 5 and the tube 1a than between the sealing film 5 and the upper section 2a of the container 1. It is thus easier to extract the tube 1a from the container 1, more specifically from the sealed engagement thereof within the groove 10 of the bottom 3, by pulling on the sealing film 5, the tube 1a thereby remaining attached to said sealing film 5. This is illustrated for example in FIG. 12.

(39) FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention which is intended to contain only one component. There is therefore no tube 1a and no partition wall arranged within the container 1 or engaged within the groove 10.

(40) FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bi-component container 1 according to the invention. It is necessary to extract the inner tube 1a in order to mix the components respectively stored within said tube 1a and peripherally within the container 1 around said tube 1a. The latter can also be off-center within the container 1.

(41) The container 1 preferably made of a translucent or opaque plastic material depending upon the nature of the product(s) contained, which may be sensitive to light, in particular to ultraviolet radiation.

(42) It may be advantageous to use a hollow stirring rod 12, illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 which has a shoulder 12a in the form of a leading edge at one of the ends thereof as well as positioning notches 12b at the other end thereof. It may thus be useful to engage the shoulder 12a beneath the flat surface 1b of the inner tube 1a by pressing with the rod 12, in particular by means of one of the notches 12b, on the upper section 2a. Leverage is thus used to lift and remove the tube 1a from the container 1 or to initiate the extraction thereof from the groove 10.

(43) Once the inner tube 1a is removed from the container 1, it is appropriate to mix the two components within said container 1 by means of the stirring rod 12. For this purpose, the latter is provided with holes 12c thereby facilitating the mixing operation.

(44) The container 1 is preferably provided with helical rib portions 13 on the upper and outer side of the peripheral side wall 2 such as to constitute a means of connection to a spray gun 14. Such a connection, known as such, is implemented by means of a lid 15 provided with an outlet opening associated with an adapter. The cover 15 internally comprises mounting means that are complementary to the rib portions 13 in order to be fitted or screwed onto the container 1. The adapter mounted on the outlet opening makes it possible to connect the tank thus formed to the spray gun 14. A filter 16 is preferably integrated into the cover 15.

(45) The tank comprising the container 1 and the cover 15 according to the invention, is intended to be mounted onto a paint or spraying tool, for example a spray gun 14.

(46) The present description mainly focuses on the case of a bi-component or mono-component product. The increase in the number of components results in a relative increase in individual additional volumes containing each of them, within the container 1.

(47) If the final product used after mixing for spraying or propelling is for example a paint, a primer, a coating or a varnish, the first component can be a solvent or a binder and the second component a filler or a hardener.

(48) The cover 15 advantageously has an adaptation part or piece or adapter that is provided in order to connect the entire tank of the invention to a spray tool. In the case wherein the disposable container 1 of the invention is intended to be mounted onto a spray gun 14, particularly when gravity fed, the adaptation part or piece comprises a distribution cone or a particular technical form of adaptation to the inlet of the gun 14 such as that shown particularly in FIG. 16. The assembly, also referred to as a tank, comprising the container 1 and the cover 15, thus constitutes a genuine complete cup that is disposable.

(49) The container 1, illustrated for example in FIG. 17, comprises reinforcements 17 that are integral with the bottom 3 and a portion 10a projecting from the outer surface 3a, defining the groove 10. The reinforcements 17, for example three in number, have a triangular shape and are distributed substantially in the form of a star along the portion 10a. The reinforcements 17 also extend on either side of the circular extension portion 10a. The reinforcements 17 thus contribute to limiting or eliminating deformations of the bottom 3, in particular during the operation of closing or sealing the container 1, during which said container is subjected to a number of mechanical stresses.

(50) Obviously, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above and shown in the various figures, a person skilled in the art being able to make numerous modifications and imagine other variants without going beyond the reach or scope of the invention.