PAINT CUP WITH VENTILATION VALVE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a paint cup for a paint gun according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Paint cups for spray guns typically have a sealable container for paint that can be connected to a spray gun via a paint outlet, allowing paint to flow from the cup into the spray gun (gravity feed system), where it is atomized by compressed air. To prevent a vacuum from forming inside the cup when paint is drawn, which would impede the flow of the paint, these paint cups usually have a vent on the side facing away from the spray gun to allow atmospheric contact between the inside of the cup and the surrounding environment.

[0003] A compensating valve is known from DE 10 2011 008 316 A1, wherein the compensating valve is integrated into a plastic base of the paint cup. Such venting valves require a high degree of manufacturing effort.

[0004] Further compensating valves are known from documents WO 2005 / 070557 A1, US 2017 / 239679 A1 and WO 2011 / 090857 A1.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a paint cup with an economically manufacturable balancing valve.

[0006] The problem is solved by an object having the features of claim 1 and a method according to claim 16.

[0007] An inventive paint cup for a spray gun comprises a paint container with a vessel wall and a base, the base being made of a pierceable natural fiber material. The base has a puncture point or area for venting the paint cup, which is pierced to start the spray gun. The puncture point or area can preferably be marked visually and / or haptically. The marking can be, for example, a printed or embossed mark. However, the marking could also be in the form of an adhesive label.

[0008] Natural fiber or plant-based materials include materials such as paper, cardboard, hardboard, corrugated board, or composite materials containing one of the aforementioned material layers. In particular, this refers to a cellulose-based fiber. Natural fiber is, for example, used in paper products made from wood pulp, wood pulp, semi-chemical pulp, or recycled paper by gluing or pressing. Especially when the container wall and base are integrally, i.e., permanently, bonded together, the container wall can also be advantageously made from a natural fiber.

[0009] Further characteristics can be derived from the subclaims and the character description.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, the penetration point or area can be identical to the rest of the base. In other words, the base has a consistently uniform wall thickness. This minimizes manufacturing effort.

[0011] In one embodiment, the base can be essentially radially symmetrical, and the penetration point or area can be advantageously arranged eccentrically, e.g., at the edge. An arrangement at the edge has the advantage that the base is stiffer near the edge than in the center, and thus the base can be made thinner than with a centrally located penetration point or area.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the puncture point or area can have a weakening. Alternatively, the base can have a reinforcement around the puncture point or area. The weakening can, for example, be in the form of an embossed predetermined breaking point. The reinforcement can, for example, be in the form of an additional reinforcement applied around the puncture point or area, particularly annular in shape, which is bonded to the base.

[0013] It is conceivable and possible to combine marking and reinforcement, for example in the form of a circular adhesive label that marks the puncture area and simultaneously reinforces the surrounding area of ​​the puncture point or area.

[0014] Advantageously, the paint cup can include a piercing spike, preferably one that is substantially rotationally symmetrical, for penetrating the bottom. In particular, the piercing spike is designed such that a vent valve is formed at the point or area of ​​penetration to equalize pressure.

[0015] Preferably, the piercing spike has a penetration tip by means of which it can pierce the ground.

[0016] Alternatively, the piercing pin can also be provided with a thread, by means of which the piercing pin can be screwed into the ground.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the piercing mandrel is designed such that at least one closable ventilation channel is formed at the piercing point or area by penetrating the ground.

[0018] The ventilation channel can, for example, be formed as an axially extending groove in the piercing mandrel. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to design the ventilation channel, analogous to a hollow needle, as a centrally extending tube in the piercing mandrel.

[0019] In one embodiment, the closable ventilation channel passes through the piercing mandrel. A valve can preferably be arranged in the ventilation channel, which, for example, passes at least partially through the center of the piercing mandrel. Examples include a spigot valve, honey valve, or diaphragm valve, e.g., made of an elastomer, which opens automatically when a vacuum is created inside the paint cup and, in the open state, allows air to flow into the paint cup to equalize the pressure. It is understood that a manually operated valve design, such as a switch, plug, rotary, toggle, or rotary valve, can also be used.

[0020] A preferred variant is characterized by a simple yet reliable design, in which the lockable ventilation channel is guided on the outer circumference of the piercing mandrel.

[0021] Preferably, the piercing mandrel can be designed with axially superimposed and stepped diameters in two or more stages, so that the base is in contact with a first, second, or further stage of the piercing mandrel depending on the axial relative position of the piercing mandrel to the base. By allowing penetration of the base in two or more stages, different valve states can be achieved, e.g., non-sealing in one stage to create pressure equalization (first penetration state) and sealing in another stage (second penetration state).

[0022] Alternatively or in addition to the design of the piercing pin, which enables the realization of a sealing (second) penetration state, the closure of the ventilation opening in the ground can also be achieved by another element, such as a sealing tab or a sealing plug (optionally with screw thread), which can be inserted into or placed on the opening after the piercing pin has been removed.

[0023] Advantageously, the piercing mandrel features a primarily axially extending ventilation channel. This ventilation channel can extend over one or more stages of the piercing mandrel. Gas exchange between the container interior and the environment is possible via this ventilation channel. For this to be effective, the ventilation channel, or the piercing mandrel, must be positioned such that it extends through the base.

[0024] In some design variations, multiple ventilation channels can be provided. This allows the cross-section of individual ventilation channels to be reduced and / or the maximum gas flow rate to be increased.

[0025] The piercing pin can be made of plant material or plastic. It can also be a composite of different materials, for example, a hollow needle made of metal and encased in plastic. The piercing pin can be designed for single or multiple use. In particular, the piercing pin is manufactured as a single piece from plastic using injection molding.

[0026] Preferably, the piercing spike, which is not yet inserted into the ground, can be permanently attached to the paint container. For example, it can be supplied as a unit with the paint container via a film hinge, a tab, a thread, or similar device.

[0027] The piercing mandrel may expediently have modified sealing surfaces, e.g. in the form of one or more sealing rings or surfaces connected to or with the piercing mandrel, preferably made of an elastomeric material.

[0028] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the piercing mandrel has retaining means to fix the piercing mandrel to the ink container in at least one stage (penetration state); preferably, the retaining means are designed as a circumferential fixing groove.

[0029] Alternatively, the holding devices can also be arranged as expansion hooks, modeled on expansion dowels, in the area of ​​the tip of the piercing mandrel, which can reliably prevent the piercing mandrel from falling out after penetrating the ground.

[0030] Preferably, the piercing mandrel has at least four axially successive stages, wherein the first stage forms a penetration tip, the second stage a ventilation dome (in particular with one or more groove-shaped ventilation channels), the third stage a sealing dome (in particular with a circumferential convex sealing surface) and the fourth stage an actuating cap, which preferably projects on the outside of the base.

[0031] A particularly preferred variant includes a first circumferential fixing groove between the ventilation dome and the sealing dome and / or a second fixing groove between the sealing dome and the actuating cap. In the first (non-sealing, vented) penetration state, the piercing mandrel is fixed by its base being positioned in the first fixing groove. In the second (sealing) penetration state, the piercing mandrel is fixed by its base being positioned in the second fixing groove.

[0032] As already mentioned, for effective ventilation it is advantageous if the piercing mandrel has one or more axially extending ventilation channels, preferably in the form of one or more axially extending grooves, which are preferably arranged on the circumference of the ventilation dome.

[0033] To ensure that the ventilation channel or channels pass through the ground at least in the first penetration state, it is advantageous if the piercing mandrel has one or more axially extending ventilation channels which continue on an end face of the piercing mandrel, preferably on an end face of the sealing dome, into one or more radially extending ventilation channels.

[0034] In practice, a variant of the invention has proven successful in which the vessel wall and / or the bottom are made of cardboard (weight per square meter over 200 g / m2), wherein, for use with a paint gun, the vessel wall and / or the bottom are preferably provided at least on the inside with a liquid-resistant, preferably solvent-resistant coating, in particular made of plastic and / or aluminum.

[0035] For example, single-layer, double-layer or triple-layer cardboard, especially single- or double-laminated cardboard, is an advantageous paper material for the vessel wall and / or the bottom.

[0036] In one embodiment, the base can be integrated into a lid system that is detachably connected to the container wall. This means that the base, including the piercing point or area, is independent of the rest of the paint container, so that, for example, the base can be made of one material and the paint container of another.

[0037] It is particularly advantageous if the lid system, or at least other parts of the lid system, are made of the same material as the base, e.g., a plant-based material. Especially with integral manufacturing of the lid system, the manufacturing process can be significantly simplified compared to hybrid lid systems.

[0038] In one variant, the second bottom of the paint cup, facing the spray gun, can be conifrustic, i.e., shaped like a cone segment or similar to a cone segment. This second bottom can optionally be provided with an interface for connection to the spray gun or for connection to an adapter for use with the spray gun.

[0039] The second bottom is conveniently designed as a lid that can be detached from the paint cup. In this case, the paint cup is suitable for use as an upside-down cup.

[0040] Optionally, the paint cup has an additional opening on the side facing away from the spray gun, which can be closed with another lid, for refilling paint.

[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, the paint cup described above is used in such a way that the bottom is pierced for ventilation. This method eliminates the need to manufacture a valve integrated into the bottom.

[0042] Advantageous embodiments and further features of the invention will become apparent from the figures and the following description of the figures. Identical or at least comparable features are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0043] This shows: Figs. 1 to 3 a paint cup according to the invention for a paint gun in a side, a front and a sectional view with an opening closed by a lid comprising a pierceable bottom, Figs. 4 to 6 Detailed views of the lid system from the Figs. 1 to 3 in a side, front and section view in exploded view, Fig. 7a detailed view of the lid system in the connected state with the paint container, Fig. 8 a detailed representation of a piercing pin in its first state, Figs. 9a and 9b a detailed representation of a piercing pin in a first and a second state, Figs. 10 to 11 a paint cup according to the invention in an embodiment as an upside-down variant in a front and a sectional view as well as Figs. 12 to 14 Another embodiment of a paint cup according to the invention as an upside-down variant in a front and a sectional view.

[0044] According to the exemplary embodiment of the Figs. 1 to 7The figure shows a paint container 3 for receiving paint, comprising a base 5 and a paint cup 1 with a piercing spike 7 penetrating the base 5. The paint container 3 includes an outer, here circular-cylindrical, vessel wall 4, at the bottom of which a funnel-shaped extension with an outlet opening 20 for paint is attached. The outlet opening 20 is detachably connected to the spray gun 2 via a corresponding connection. Due to gravity, the paint in the paint container 3 flows into the spray gun 2 and remains there until it is carried along and atomized by a stream of compressed air supplied by the spray gun 2.

[0045] The paint cup 1 has an opening 30 on its upper side, e.g., on the side facing away from the spray gun 2, designed as a refill opening, which is closed by a lid system 9. Even with the lid system 9 removed, paint can be refilled at any time via the opening 30, even when the paint cup 1 is attached to the spray gun 2. The refill opening 30 is formed by the end 4' of the cup wall 4. The opening 30 is closed by the lid system 9, which encompasses the lid 10 and the locking ring 14.

[0046] The lid 10 includes a base 5 with a piercing area 6, which is shown in the illustrations of the Figs. 1 to 3The container is pierced by a piercing pin 7 in a first non-sealing (ventilating) penetration state. The piercing area 6 is visually indicated, for example, by a printed circular ring. The piercing pin 7 establishes an atmospheric connection between the interior of the paint cup 1 and the environment via a ventilation channel 8 (not shown here). Further details regarding the piercing pin 7 and the base 5 are provided in the explanations. Figs. 8 and 9a to 9b received.

[0047] The lid system 9, which is in the Figs. 4 to 6 excerpts and exploded views as well as in Fig. 7The assembly, shown in its assembled state, is constructed as follows: The lid 10 comprises a U-shaped hollow collar 15 with an inner and an outer cylindrical collar 16 and 17, respectively, in which the locking ring 14 and an end section 4' of the vessel wall 4 are clamped. The locking ring 14 and the hollow collar 15 are detachably connected by corresponding threads 18 and 19, respectively, located on the outer circumference of the end of the vessel wall 4 and on the inner circumference of the outer cylindrical collar 17. The inner cylindrical collar 16 is wedge-shaped, so that a tapered gap is formed between the inner and outer cylindrical collars 16 and 17, into which the locking ring 14 and the end section 4' of the vessel wall 4 are radially clamped as the screw is tightened.

[0048] The base 5 is molded onto the hollow collar 15 and extends in a circular disc shape over the area enclosed by the hollow collar 15. The base 5 is molded onto the hollow collar 15 as a single unit or is formed together with the hollow collar 15. Like the hollow collar 15 itself, it consists of a natural fibrous material such as paper or cardboard.

[0049] The cover 10 can, for example, consist of a pressed-together mixture of cell particles. The cell particle mixture can be advantageously enriched with reinforcing bonding agents or fillers such as a resin-based adhesive or similar (similar to a composite particleboard). This increases the strength and allows, for example, the insertion of a resistant thread into the outer collar 17 of the hollow collar 15 of the cover 10.

[0050] In alternative embodiments, not shown in the figures, the hollow collar 15 and base 5 are manufactured in two or more parts. For example, the hollow collar 15 can be injection-molded from a suitable plastic, onto which the base 5, made of natural fiber material, is laminated on the upper side (the side facing away from the spray gun 2) or the lower side (the side facing the spray gun 2) of the hollow collar 15. A base 5 made of natural fiber material attached in this way has greater stability than, for example, a similarly attached base 5 made of a plastic film.

[0051] Although natural fibers appear to always be opaque at first glance, flooring can also be manufactured to be opaque, translucent, or transparent. Suitable materials made from cellulose or plant materials, as well as the appropriate bonding agents for these materials, such as resin-based adhesives, are well-known to experts.

[0052] The stability of the base 5 allows the use of a piercing mandrel 7, which can pierce the penetration point or area 6 of the base 5. The penetration point or area 6 is located centrally or radially at the center of the base 5 and could, for example, be indicated by a colored marking. However, it could also be located off-center, particularly near the edge, to reduce the flexibility of the base 5 and increase its resistance upon penetration. Alternatively or additionally, the area of ​​the base 5 around the penetration point or area 6 could be reinforced, for example, by a laminated second, annular layer. This would prevent or at least reduce the risk of the base 5 tearing upon penetration.

[0053] To put the paint cup 1 or the spray gun 2 into operation, the base 5 is pierced non-sealingly (first penetration state) at the piercing point or area 6 with the piercing mandrel 7: As e.g. from Fig. 8As can be seen, the essentially rotationally symmetrical piercing mandrel 7 is constructed along its longitudinal axis from the penetration tip 21, a ventilation dome 22 with a first diameter d1, a sealing dome 23 with a second diameter d2, and a grip area with the grip plate 25 (actuating cap). Four ventilation channels 8, each designed as an axial groove, extend along the ventilation dome 22. Radially radial ventilation channels 8' are formed on the sealing dome 23, which may be slightly convex, and which continue the axial ventilation channels 8, thus connecting the ventilation channels 8 fluidically to the atmosphere. The piercing mandrel 7 is held in the first penetration state by the base 5 being captured in a fixing groove 26.

[0054] To decommission the paint cup 1 or the spray gun 2, the piercing mandrel 7 is moved from the non-sealing to a sealing position (second penetration state): For this purpose, the sealing dome 23 of the piercing mandrel 7 is pushed further into or through the base 5 of the cover 10 until the outer surface of the sealing dome 23 is in sealing contact with the outer edge of the piercing area 6. This prevents the fluidic connection of the ventilation channels 8 with the atmosphere. The outer surface of the sealing dome 23 seals the piercing area 6. The piercing mandrel 7 is held in the second penetration state by the base 5 being captured in a fixing groove 27.

[0055] To restart the paint cup 1 or the spray gun 2, the piercing pin 7 can be moved back from the second penetration state to the first penetration state. However, it is understood that there is a risk that, due to the widening of the hole in the base 5, the piercing pin 7 will not remain in the first penetration state with comparable stability.

[0056] To prevent the piercing mandrel 7 from being unintentionally removed or falling out of the base 5, the piercing mandrel 7 could also have one or more barbs or barb-like features, e.g., arranged on the outer surface of the first stage 22.

[0057] In the Fig. 9a(first penetration state) and 9b (second penetration state) a second embodiment of the piercing mandrel 7 is shown, in which the piercing mandrel 7 has, in addition to the ventilation dome 22 and the sealing dome 23, a third dome 24 within the handle 25 with a third diameter d3, wherein for the diameter ratios d1 <d2<d3 gilt. Im Unterschied zum in Fig. 8 The described piercing pin 7 is the base 5 of the cover 10 at the piercing pin 7 of the Fig. 9 In the second penetration state (Fig. 8b), sealing is achieved not only via the sealing contact of the outer surface of the sealing dome 23, but also via the end face of the third dome 24 facing the base 5 or the penetration area 6. The third dome 24 thus enables a higher sealing performance. The end face of the third dome 24 could incorporate further sealing elements, e.g., a sealing ring made of an elastomeric material inserted in an annular groove.

[0058] In the Figs. 10 to 11and 12 to 14 Finally, two further embodiments in upside-down variants are shown. Upside-down means that the opening 4 of the paint container 3 is located on the side facing the spray gun 2, and that the opening 4 is closed or closable with a lid 10' having an outlet opening 20 for connection to the spray gun 2. The lid systems 9 of these embodiments are clip lids with fastening elements 11 that are pivotally connected to the lid 10' via hinges and that encompass a sealing bead 12 of the paint container 3. Figs. 10, 11 ) or comparable to the cover system 9 of the first embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 7 as lid 10' with counter ring 14 ( Figs. 12 to 14). Analogous to the previous embodiments, the bottom 5 of the paint cup 1 is penetrable by the piercing mandrel 7, wherein the bottoms 5 are not detachable but are integrally formed with the vessel wall 4 of the paint container 3. The vessel wall 4 is made of the same material as the bottom 5.

[0059] Advantageously, the paint container 3 can be designed with a standing collar 13 on its bottom side, cf. Fig. 11 , which allows the paint container 3 to be placed on its base 5 even with the piercing spike 7 inserted.

[0060] It is understood that components described in the figure description as cylinders or cylindrical shapes may also have a (slightly) different shape, such as conical, frustoconical, convex, etc.

Claims

1. Paint reservoir (1) for a paint spray gun (2), comprising a paint container (3) having a vessel wall (4) and a bottom (5), characterized in that the bottom (5) is made of a natural fibrous material, in particular a cellulose-based fibrous material, such that it can be punctured, and has a puncturing point or region (6) for venting the paint reservoir (1), wherein the paint reservoir (1) comprises a puncturing spike (7), wherein the puncturing spike (7) is designed such that a venting valve, to establish pressure equalization, is formed by penetration of the bottom (5) at the puncturing point or region (6), wherein the puncturing spike (7) has at least four axially successive stages, wherein the first stage is a penetrating tip (21), the second stage is a venting dome (22), the third stage is a sealing dome (23), and the fourth stage is an actuating cap (24), wherein the puncturing spike (7) has one or more axially extending venting channels (8), preferably in the form of one or more axially extending grooves which are preferably arranged around the circumference of the venting dome (22), and wherein the puncturing spike (7) has one or more axially extending venting channels (8) which continue into one or more radially extending venting channels (8') on an end face of the puncturing spike (7), preferably on an end face of the sealing dome (22).

2. Paint reservoir (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the puncturing point or region (6) is identical to the rest of the bottom (5), the puncturing point or region (6) has a weakening, or in that the bottom (5) has a reinforcement around the puncturing point or region (6).

3. Paint reservoir (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the puncturing point or region (6) is visually and / or haptically identified.

4. Paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the puncturing spike (7) is designed such that at least one closable venting channel (8) is formed by penetrating the bottom (5) at the puncturing point or region (6), wherein the venting channel (8) is preferably guided through on the outer circumference of the puncturing spike (7) and / or axially through the puncturing spike (7).

5. Paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the puncturing spike (7) for penetrating the bottom (5) is designed with graduated diameters in two or more stages (21; 22; 23; 24), and the puncturing point or region (6) can be penetrated by the puncturing spike (7) in two or more stages, wherein the puncturing spike (7) penetrates non-sealingly in one stage to establish pressure equalization and penetrates sealingly in another stage.

6. Paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the puncturing spike (7) has retaining means to fix the puncturing spike (7) to the paint container (3) in at least one stage, the retaining means preferably being designed as a circumferential fixing groove.

7. Paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel wall (4) is made of a natural fibrous material, in particular a cellulose-based fibrous material.

8. Paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel wall (4) and / or the bottom (5) are made of cardboard (weight per square meter over 200 g / m2).

9. Paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel wall (4) and / or the bottom (5) are provided, at least on the inside, with a liquid-resistant, preferably solvent-resistant coating, in particular made of plastics material and / or aluminum.

10. Paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel wall (4) and / or the bottom (5) are single-layer, double-layer or triple-layer cardboard, in particular single- or double-laminated cardboard.

11. Paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an end of the paint reservoir (1) facing the paint spray gun (2) has an outlet opening (20) for connecting to the paint spray gun (2) or for connecting to an adapter for connecting to the paint spray gun (2).

12. Method for using a paint reservoir (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom (5) made of natural fiber material is punctured to form a venting valve.