Paint applicator

• US 8,501,282 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2009
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sherwin-Williams Company
• Original Assignee: Sherwin-Williams Company
• Inventors: Staunton, Thomas J., Brainard, Gregory A., Brainard, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meeks, Timothy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leong, Nathan T
• Application Number:
  US12/579,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20100098870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 427/426, 222/94, 222/105, 222/145.5, 222/145.6, 222/209, 222/213, 222/214, 222/324, 239/323, 239/324, 239/325, 239/327, 239/329, 239/330, 239/331, 239/337, 239/356, 239/357, 239/362, 239/363, 137/206, 137/209
• US Class Current: 427/426
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/1409 the selection means being part of the discharge apparatus, e.g. part of the spray gun
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/1418 for supplying several liquids or other fluent materials in selected proportions to a single spray outlet controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid G05D11/02
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2408 characterised by the container or its attachment means to the spray apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2427 and a secondary stream of atomising fluid being brought together in the container or putting the carried liquid under pressure in the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2472 comprising several containers
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2481 with a flexible container for liquid or other fluent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3115 Gas pressure storage over or displacement of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3127 With gas maintenance or application

Abstract

A system for applying coatings and more specifically paint coatings is provided that combines fluid stored in separate reservoir containers prior to expelling the mixture for application. The reservoirs may be comprised of collapsible and disposable bags that eject its fluid upon activation of an actuator or expanding bladder. The fluid components are combined and blended together in a mixer that is positioned between the reservoirs and a nozzle.

Claims

1. A coating applicator, comprising:

a nozzle configured for dispensing an associated mixture;

a mixing device in fluid communication with the nozzle;

a plurality of fluid storing reservoirs operatively communicated to meter multiple associated fluid components into the mixing device; and

,

an actuator operatively engaged with the plurality of fluid storing reservoirs, wherein said actuator comprises an expandable bladder that expands to compress the plurality of fluid storing reservoirs thereby expelling the associated fluid components from the plurality of fluid storing reservoirs.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the mixing device is a static mixer.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the static mixer includes one or more baffles defining a circuitous route for blending the associated fluid components.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluid storing reservoirs are comprised of collapsible bags.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the expandable bladder is accordion shaped.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluid storing reservoirs comprises at least two fluid storing reservoirs.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the at least two fluid storing reservoirs contain paint components which are reactive with each other upon mixing.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a reservoir chamber.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the plurality of fluid storing reservoirs and the actuator are housed in the reservoir chamber.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising an orifice plate.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the orifice plate comprises channels in fluid communication with the mixing device.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the orifice plate is positioned on top of the reservoir housing.