Sprayer with reverse flush capability

• US 6,520,190 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graco Minnesota Incorporated (Graco Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Graco Minnesota Incorporated (Graco Incorporated)
• Inventors: Olson, Diane L., Thompson, David J., Durkee, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gulakowski, Randy
• Assistant Examiner(s): KORNAKOV, MIKHAIL
• Application Number:
  US09/785,365
• Publication Number:
  US 20010045471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 134/22.12, 134/22.18, 134/34, 134/38, 134/42, 134/169.C, 134/169.R, 134/22.1, 134/22.11, 118/302, 239/112
• US Class Current: 134/22.18
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/40 Filters located upstream of the spraying outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/531 using backflow
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/55 using cleaning fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0321 using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid E04F17/126 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for flushing an airless sprayer essentially reverses operation such that the spray gun is immersed in a container of water or other solvent and that fluid is pulled through the pump and flushed through the normal inlet tube. The preferred embodiment attaches a fluid bar to the front of the spray gun to redirect the fluid for flushing. This reverse flushing action allows quicker flushing using less fluid.

Claims

1. A method for flushing a paint sprayer having a spray gun with an outlet, said spray gun being attached to a pump and a filter, all having a normal direction of fluid flow and comprising the steps of:

supplying a cleaning fluid to said spray gun outlet; and

pumping said cleaning fluid from said outlet through said gun and said filter in a direction opposite to said normal direction.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said spray gun outlet is immersed in a container of cleaning fluid.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said spray gun outlet is connected to an outlet of said pump.

4. A method for flushing a paint sprayer having a spray gun having an inlet and an outlet and being attached to a pump having an inlet and an outlet and a filter having an inlet and an outlet, said spray gun, pump and filter all having a normal direction of fluid flow and comprising the steps of:

supplying said pump inlet with cleaning fluid;

connecting said spray gun outlet to said pump outlet;

connecting said spray gun inlet to said filter outlet; and

pumping said cleaning fluid through said gun and said filter in a direction opposite to said normal direction.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising means for detecting the exhaustion of said cleaning fluid.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising means terminating said pumping in said reverse direction after a predetermined period of time.

7. A method for flushing a paint sprayer having a spray gun having an inlet and an outlet and being attached to a pump having an inlet and an outlet and a filter having an inlet and an outlet, said spray gun, pump and filter all having a normal direction of fluid flow and comprising the steps of:

supplying said gun outlet with cleaning fluid;

connecting said spray gun inlet to said filter outlet;

connecting said pump inlet to said filter inlet; and

pumping said cleaning fluid through said gun and said filter in a direction opposite to said normal direction.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising means for detecting the exhaustion of said cleaning fluid.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising means terminating said pumping in said reverse direction after a predetermined period of time.