Spray gun converter

Abstract

Various embodiments of a spray gun converter (100) and a spray gun system including such a converter (100) are disclosed. The spray gun converter (100) comprises a body (102) having a first end (104) configured for insertion into an air passage of a spray gun (11), a second end (106) having a converter fitting (108) configured to connect to a reservoir (30), and a reservoir air passage (110) extending through the body (102) from an inlet end (112) at the first end to an outlet end (114) at the converter fitting (108) at the second end. The spray gun converter (100) also comprises a reservoir air control valve (116) that opens and closes the reservoir air passage (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for converting a standard gravity spray gun into a pressure-assisted gravity spray gun. Spray guns are used in various industries to apply liquid coatings to substrates.

Background Art

[0002] Spray guns are used, for example, in vehicle repair body shops to apply liquid coating media such as primers, paints, and / or clear coats to vehicle parts. Typically, spray guns are made of solid metal or plastic and include a platform and a spray head assembly. The spray head assembly includes a nozzle for dispensing the liquid, a central air outlet for providing air to atomize the liquid as it exits the nozzle, and a fan air outlet for providing air to form the atomized liquid into a desired spray pattern. The spray gun includes a series of internal passages that distribute air from an air supply manifold within the platform to the central air outlet and the fan air outlet within the spray head assembly.

[0003] The liquid is typically gravity-fed to the spray gun by a reservoir in fluid contact with the spray head assembly. However, if the liquid becomes overly viscous, the spray gun may not operate as intended and thus prevent the delivery of the liquid from the nozzle. In such cases, a pressure-assisted gravity spray gun (also referred to herein as a "pressure-assisted spray gun") can be used to provide pressurized air to the reservoir to facilitate the flow of fluid to the spray gun nozzle.

[0004] Traditionally, gravity-feed and pressure-assisted spray guns required different spray guns. Attempts to provide a single spray gun for both applications have had limited success. For example, gravity-feed spray guns have been converted to pressure-assisted spray guns by adding a secondary regulator below the spray gun handle to divert part of the air supply to a reservoir. However, the regulator makes the spray gun bulky, making it unsuitable for applications in confined spaces. In another example, a pressure-assisted spray gun can be made to function like a gravity-feed spray gun by inserting a pressure barb or bolt over the air inlet of a pressure-assisted reservoir. [Overview of the project]

[0005] This disclosure describes various embodiments of a spray gun converter that can convert a gravity-feed spray gun into a pressure-assisted spray gun by diverting a portion of the air supply to a liquid-containing reservoir for pressure-assisted liquid delivery. The spray gun converter may be inserted into the manifold of the platform of a gravity-feed spray gun that supplies air to the nozzle central air outlet and nozzle fan air outlet of a spray head assembly connected to the platform. In at least one embodiment, the spray gun converter is not inserted into the air supply line to the gun (or a separate assembly adjacent to the spray gun body, such as a regulator), but is inserted into the gun body itself. Since most of the converter is located within the spray gun platform and, in some cases, replaces the fan-controlled air regulator, the converter does not add much or no bulk to the spray gun. In addition, by placing the converter within the platform manifold, the diversion of air to the reservoir has little or no effect on the airflow through the nozzle central air and nozzle fan air outlet of the spray head assembly. The spray gun converter allows the user to adjust the amount of air diverted to the reservoir and can be turned off completely. As a result, the spray gun operates only in gravity-feed mode with the converter in place. Additionally or alternatively, the spray gun converter is reversibly mounted to the spray gun platform so that it can be quickly and easily inserted or removed depending on the desired application.

[0006] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a spray gun converter including a body. The body includes a first end configured to be inserted into the air passage of a gravity-feed spray gun, a second end having a converter fitting configured to connect to a reservoir, and a reservoir air passage extending through the body from an inlet end at the first end to an outlet end at the converter fitting at the second end. The spray gun converter also includes a reservoir air control valve for opening and closing the reservoir air passage.

[0007] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a spray gun including a platform having a manifold. The manifold includes a chamber, a manifold air inlet fluid-connected to the chamber, and a manifold central air outlet and a manifold fan air outlet, respectively, fluid-connected to the chamber. The manifold further includes an access fluid-connected to the chamber. The spray gun also includes a spray head assembly connected to the platform. The spray head assembly includes a nozzle fluid passage having a nozzle fluid inlet and a nozzle fluid outlet, a nozzle central air passage having a nozzle central air inlet and a nozzle central air outlet, and a nozzle fan air passage having a nozzle fan air inlet and a nozzle fan air outlet. The nozzle central air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold central air outlet, and the nozzle fan air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold fan air outlet. The spray gun further includes a spray gun converter having a body including a first end configured to be inserted into the access of the manifold on the platform, and a second end having a converter fitting configured to be connected to a reservoir. The converter further includes a reservoir air passage extending through the body from an inlet end at a first end to an outlet end at a converter fitting at a second end, the reservoir air passage being configured to fluidize to a chamber in the platform manifold. The spray gun converter also includes a reservoir air control valve for opening and closing the reservoir air passage.

[0008] In further embodiments, the disclosure provides a spray gun system including a platform having a manifold. The manifold includes a chamber, a manifold air inlet fluid-connected to the chamber, and a manifold central air outlet and a manifold fan air outlet, respectively, fluid-connected to the chamber. The manifold further includes an access fluid-connected to the chamber. The spray gun also includes a spray head assembly connected to the platform. The spray head assembly includes a nozzle fluid passage having a nozzle fluid inlet and a nozzle fluid outlet, a nozzle central air passage having a nozzle central air inlet and a nozzle central air outlet, and a nozzle fan air passage having a nozzle fan air inlet and a nozzle fan air outlet. The nozzle central air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold central air outlet, and the nozzle fan air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold fan air outlet. The spray gun further includes a spray gun converter having a body including a first end configured to be inserted into the access of the manifold on the platform and a second end having a converter fitting. The converter further includes a reservoir air passage extending through the body from an inlet end at a first end to an outlet end at a converter fitting at a second end, the reservoir air passage being configured to fluidize a chamber in a platform manifold. The spray gun converter also includes a reservoir air control valve for opening and closing the reservoir air passage. The spray gun system also includes a reservoir having a reservoir fitting and a fluid outlet that supplies fluid to a nozzle fluid inlet in a spray head assembly, and a reservoir connector attached at one end to the reservoir fitting of the reservoir and at the other end to the converter fitting of the spray gun converter.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for converting a gravity-feed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun. The method includes inserting a spray gun converter into the manifold of a gravity-feed spray gun. The spray gun converter includes a body having a first end configured to be inserted into the manifold of a gravity-feed spray gun, a second end having a converter fitting configured to connect to a reservoir, and a reservoir air passage extending through the body from an inlet end at the first end to an outlet end at the converter fitting at the second end. The spray gun converter also includes a reservoir air control valve for opening and closing the reservoir air passage. The method further includes fluidizing the converter fitting to a reservoir and adjusting the reservoir air control valve so that the reservoir air passage is at least partially open.

[0010] The terms “including” and their variations are not restrictive where they appear in this specification and the claims. Such terms are understood to suggest that they include one or more processes or elements described, but not that any other one or more processes or elements, or any other group of processes or elements, is excluded. “Consists of” means that it includes and limits to anything that precedes the phrase “consists of.” Thus, the phrase “consists of” indicates that the enumerated elements are necessary or essential, and no other elements may be present. “Essentially consists of” means that it includes all elements that precede it, and is limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the function or role specified in this disclosure with respect to those enumerated elements. Thus, the phrase “essentially consists of” indicates that the enumerated elements are necessary or essential, but the other elements are optional and may or may not be present, depending on whether they substantially affect the function or role of the enumerated elements.

[0011] In this application, terms such as "a," "an," and "the" are not intended to refer only to singular entities, but include general classifications, and specific examples of such general classifications may be used for illustrative purposes. The terms "a," "an," and "the" are used interchangeably with the phrases "at least one" and "one or more."

[0012] The phrases "at least one of ~" and "including at least one of ~" that follow an enumeration refer to any one item in the enumeration, or any combination of two or more items in the enumeration.

[0013] The term "or" is generally used in its usual sense, including "and / or," unless otherwise specified in the context.

[0014] The term "and / or" means one or all of the listed elements, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements.

[0015] Furthermore, in this specification, all numbers are considered to be modified by the term “about,” and in certain embodiments, by the term “exactly.” As used herein, in relation to a measured quantity, the term “about” refers to the variation of the measured quantity that can be predicted by a person skilled in the art who performs the measurement and exercises a level of care commensurate with the purpose of the measurement and the precision of the measuring instrument used. In this specification, the “maximum” number (e.g., maximum 50) includes that number (e.g., 50).

[0016] Furthermore, in this specification, the description of a numerical range by endpoints includes all numbers and their endpoints that fall within that range (for example, 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

[0017] Any reference to “several embodiments” throughout this specification means that any particular feature, configuration, composition, or characteristic described in relation to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, the appearance of such phrase in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, any particular feature, configuration, composition, or characteristic may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0018] The above summary of this disclosure is not intended to describe each of the disclosed embodiments or all implementations of this disclosure. The following description provides more specific examples of exemplary embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a spray gun system including a spray gun, a spray gun converter, and a reservoir. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the spray gun system. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the air supply manifold of the spray gun. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray gun frame. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray head assembly of the spray gun. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray gun. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a spray gun converter. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray gun converter, showing the reservoir air passage of the converter body closed by the converter's reservoir air control valve. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spray gun converter, showing the reservoir air passage of the converter body opened by the converter's reservoir air control valve. [Figure 10]It is a schematic exploded view of the reservoir of the spray gun system of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart of a method for converting a gravity type spray gun into a pressure assisted spray gun.

[0020] Unless otherwise indicated, all figures and drawings in this document are not to scale and are selected for the purpose of illustrating different embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the dimensions of various members are described only in exemplary terms, and the relationships between the dimensions of various members should not be inferred from the drawings unless otherwise indicated.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] In the following description of the exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0022] This disclosure describes various embodiments of a spray gun converter that can convert a gravity-feed spray gun into a pressure-feed spray gun by diverting a portion of the air supply to a liquid-containing reservoir for pressure-assisted liquid delivery. The spray gun converter may be inserted into the manifold of a gravity-feed spray gun platform that supplies air to the nozzle central air outlet and nozzle fan air outlet of a spray head assembly connected to the platform. Since the majority of the converter resides within the spray gun platform and, in some cases, replaces the fan-controlled air valve, the converter does not add much or any bulk to the spray gun. In addition, by placing the converter within the platform's manifold, the diversion of air to the reservoir has little or no effect on the airflow passing through the nozzle central air and nozzle fan air outlet of the spray head assembly. The spray gun converter allows the user to adjust the amount of air diverted to the reservoir and can be turned off completely, so that the spray gun operates only in gravity-feed mode with the converter in place. Additionally or alternatively, the spray gun converter is reversibly mounted to the spray gun platform so that it can be quickly and easily inserted or removed depending on the desired application.

[0023] The converter may include a reservoir air control valve configured to direct a portion of the pressurized air into one or more separate passages. One such passage may direct the pressurized air to a reservoir. In one or more embodiments, when the valve is in the open position, the pressurized air is directed to the reservoir, allowing the fluid contained therein to be pressurized above atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, when the valve is in the closed position, the pressurized air is not directed to the reservoir, thereby causing the spray gun to operate in a standard manner with a standard reservoir.

[0024] Figures 1 to 10 are various diagrams of one embodiment of the spray gun system 10. The spray gun system 10 includes a spray gun 11 having a platform 12 and a spray head assembly 14 connected to the platform. As can be seen in Figure 5, the spray head assembly 14 includes a nozzle fluid passage 84 including a nozzle fluid inlet 86 and a nozzle fluid outlet 16. The assembly 14 further includes a nozzle central air passage 89 including a nozzle central air inlet 81 and a nozzle central air outlet 18. Furthermore, the assembly 14 includes a nozzle fan air passage 92 having a nozzle fan air inlet 80 and one or more nozzle fan air outlets 20.

[0025] Platform 12 includes a manifold 22 (Figures 3-4). The manifold 22 includes a chamber 25, a manifold air inlet 24 fluid-connected to the chamber, and a manifold central air outlet 26 and a manifold fan central air outlet 28, both fluid-connected to the chamber. The manifold 22 also includes an access 61 and a second access 62, both fluid-connected to the chamber 25.

[0026] The spray gun 11 also includes a spray gun converter 100 having a body 102 (Figures 7-9) having a first end 104 configured to be inserted into the manifold 22 of the spray gun 11, a second end 106 having a converter fitting 108 configured to be connected to a reservoir 30 (Figures 1-2), and a reservoir air passage 110 extending through the body from an inlet end 112 at the first end to an outlet end 114 at the converter fitting at the second end. The spray gun converter 100 also includes a reservoir air control valve 116 for opening and closing the reservoir air passage 110.

[0027] The spray gun 11 may include a variety of components, including a platform 12 and a spray head assembly 14 which can be connected to the platform at a barrel interface 50 (Figure 4). The spray gun 11 may include one or more embodiments of any suitable platform, for example, one or more embodiments of the platform described in the shared U.S. Patent No. 8,590,809, entitled “LIQUID SPRAY GUN, SPRAY GUN PLATFORM, AND SPRAY HEAD ASSEMBLY” by Escoto, Jr. et al. In one or more embodiments, the spray head assembly 14 is releasably connected to the platform 12 and can provide the function of controlling the movement of both the liquid to be sprayed and the air used to spray the liquid, as described herein. In one or more embodiments, the spray head assembly 14 is disposable and can be discarded after use (and in some cases, can be reused). If discarded after use, cleaning of the spray head assembly 14 can be avoided, and the spray gun 11 can be modified to distribute different liquids by attaching different spray head assemblies to the platform and the same or different reservoir 30.

[0028] The connection of the spray head assembly 14 to the barrel interface 50 of the spray gun platform 12 can be achieved using any suitable single or multiple connection structures. For example, a connection structure on the spray head assembly 14 can cooperate (e.g., mechanically interconnect) with an opening 52 in the barrel interface 50 to hold the spray head assembly on the spray gun platform 12. Many other connection techniques and structures can be used instead of those described herein, such as bayonet-type connections that facilitate quick connection / disconnection of the spray head assembly 14 by pushing or twisting, clamping, screw connections, etc.

[0029] Platform 12 may include any suitable one or more materials, such as metals, metal alloys, plastics (e.g., polycarbonate, nylon (e.g., amorphous nylon), polypropylene, etc.). If plastic materials are used to construct Platform 12, such plastic materials may include any suitable additives, fillers, etc. The selection of materials used for Platform 12 may be based at least in part on the compatibility between the selected materials and the materials to be sprayed (for example, when selecting materials to be used to construct the platform, it may be necessary to consider solvent resistance and other properties).

[0030] The manifold 22 within the assembled platform 12 is constructed from various cavities that collectively form passages for delivering air to the spray head assembly 14. For example, Figure 3 shows, for clarity, the cavities / air passages formed within the platform 12 with the surrounding structures removed. The manifold 22 is located within the cavities / passages formed within the platform 12.

[0031] The manifold 22 includes a chamber 25. The chamber 25 can take any suitable shape or more and can have any suitable dimensions. The manifold 22 further includes a manifold air inlet 24, which may include a fitting 60 (Figure 4), so that the manifold can be connected to an air source (not shown) that supplies air to the manifold at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The manifold air inlet 24 can take any suitable shape or more and can have any suitable dimensions. Although illustrated to include one manifold air inlet 24, the manifold 22 may include any suitable number of inlets, for example, one, two, three, four, five, or more, each of which can be fluidly connected to the chamber 25 to supply air or gas to the manifold.

[0032] The manifold 22 also includes a manifold central air outlet 26 and a manifold fan air outlet 28. Each of the manifold central air outlet 26 and the manifold fan air outlet 28 can be fluidly connected to the chamber 25 using any suitable one or more techniques. Furthermore, each of the manifold central air outlet 26 and the manifold fan air outlet 28 can take any suitable one or more shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Although illustrated as having two outlets 26, 28, the manifold 22 can include any suitable number of outlets, e.g., one, two, three, four, five, or more, each fluidly connected to the chamber 25. In general, air flowing into the manifold 22 through one or more manifold air inlets 24 can be distributed to one or more outlets 26, 28 using any suitable one or more techniques.

[0033] The manifold 22 may also include any suitable number of accesses, ports, or openings. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the manifold 22 includes access 61 and a second access 62, each fluidly connected to the chamber 25 using any suitable technique. Furthermore, each of access 61 and the second access 62 may be any suitable one or more shapes and may have any suitable dimensions. Although illustrated to include two accesses 61, 62, the platform 12 may include any suitable number of accesses, for example, one, two, three, four, five, or more. The accesses 61, 62 may be used in any suitable manner to provide access to the chamber 25, or to facilitate control of the airflow entering or leaving the manifold 22. For example, as further described herein, the first end 104 of the body 102 of the spray gun converter 100 may be configured to insert into the access 61 of the manifold 22 on the platform 12. In one or more embodiments, the first end 104 of the body 102 of the spray gun converter 100 may be configured to be inserted into the second access 62 of the manifold 22 of the platform 12.

[0034] Control over both the gas or airflow and the fluid flow passing through the spray gun 11 can be achieved using any suitable one or more techniques. In one or more embodiments, a trigger 64 (Figure 1), pivotably engaged to the platform 12 by, for example, a retaining pin 66, can control at least one of the airflow and fluid flow passing through the spray gun 11. The spray gun 11 may also include a needle 68 (Figure 6) extending through a spray head assembly 14 in a manner similar to, for example, that described in U.S. Patent No. 7,032,839. The trigger 64 can be biased to a non-operating position such that the needle 68 closes the nozzle fluid outlet 16 in the spray head assembly 14 and also closes the air supply valve 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing force is provided by a coil spring 72, but other biasing mechanisms may be used.

[0035] When the trigger 64 is pressed down, the needle 68 retracts, opening the air supply valve 70 and allowing air to pass from the manifold 22 to the spray head assembly 14. When the trigger is pressed down further, the needle 68 retracts to a position where the tapered front end 74 of the needle allows liquid to flow through the nozzle fluid outlet 16 in the spray head assembly 14. The airflow can be further controlled by the spray gun converter 100, as further described herein.

[0036] The manifold fan air outlet 28 (Figure 3) is fluid-connected to the chamber 25 and delivers air to the nozzle fan air outlet 20 of the spray head assembly 14 using any suitable technique. Furthermore, the manifold central air outlet 26 (Figure 3) is fluid-connected to the chamber 25 and delivers air to the nozzle central air outlet 18 of the spray head assembly 14 using any suitable technique. Control over the air distribution from the chamber 25 of the manifold 22 to the manifold central air outlet 26 and the manifold fan air outlet 28 can be achieved using any suitable technique, such as those further described herein.

[0037] A spray head assembly 14 is connected to the platform 12 of the spray gun 11. As shown in Figure 5, the assembly 14 further includes a barrel 76 and an air cap 78. The barrel 76 and air cap 78 of the spray head assembly 14 can be combined to form a cavity that delivers central air and fan air through the spray head assembly in a substantially separated manner.

[0038] Assembly 14 further includes a nozzle fluid passage 84 having a nozzle fluid inlet 86 and a nozzle fluid outlet 16. The nozzle fluid passage 84 can take any suitable shape or more shapes and can have any suitable dimensions. The fluid to be sprayed exits assembly 14 through the nozzle fluid outlet 16. The fluid is supplied through a fluid port 88 and enters the nozzle fluid passage 84 from the nozzle fluid inlet 86. The nozzle fluid passage 84 can be sized to receive a needle 68 (Figure 6) which, when advanced forward (left side of the figures shown in Figures 5 and 6), closes the nozzle fluid outlet 16, and when retracted backward (right side of Figures 5 and 6), opens the nozzle fluid outlet.

[0039] Assembly 14 also includes a nozzle central air passage 89 having a nozzle central air inlet 81 and a nozzle central air outlet 18. The nozzle central air passage 89 can take any suitable one or more shapes and can have any suitable dimensions. The nozzle central air inlet 81 is fluidly connected to the manifold central air outlet 26 using any suitable one or more techniques.

[0040] The nozzle central air outlet 18 of assembly 14 is formed within the air cap 78 so as to at least partially surround the nozzle fluid outlet 16. The spray head assembly 14 is configured to direct central air through the nozzle central air outlet 18 at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. As the air exits the central air outlet, the spray head assembly 14 draws liquid or fluid out of the nozzle fluid outlet 16 and atomizes the liquid flow into droplets in a substantially conical flow around an axis 2 extending through the nozzle fluid outlet.

[0041] Assembly 14 also includes a nozzle fan air passage 92 having a nozzle fan air inlet 80 and one or more nozzle fan air outlets 20. The nozzle fan air passage 92 can take any suitable shape or have any suitable dimensions. Furthermore, the nozzle fan air inlet 80 is fluidly connected to the manifold fan air outlet 28 using any suitable technique or technology.

[0042] An air cap 78, provided as part of the spray head assembly 14, can be connected to the barrel 76 using any suitable one or more techniques. In one or more embodiments, the air cap 78 is connected to the barrel 76 in such a way that it allows rotation of the air cap about axis 2 relative to the barrel. In one or more embodiments, the rotation of the air cap 78 can be used to change the orientation of the pattern of atomized spray discharged from the spray head assembly 14 relative to axis 2.

[0043] The air cap 78 may include one or more air horns 90, each defining at least a portion of the nozzle fan air passage 92. Fan air delivered into the air horns 90 exits through one or more nozzle fan air outlets 20 of the air horns. The outlets 20 of the horns 90 may be positioned on either side of the axis 2 so that air flowing through the barrel 76 at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure flows on both sides relative to the atomized flow of fluid flowing from the nozzle. The force provided by the fan air can be used to alter the shape of the fluid flow to form a desired spray pattern. The size, shape, orientation, and other features of the fan air control outlets 20 may be adjusted to achieve different fan control characteristics, for example, as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,201,336B2 by Blette, entitled "Liquid spray gun with non-circular horn air outlet passageways and apertures". The fan air outlets 20 may take any suitable one or more shapes, e.g., elliptical, linear, etc.

[0044] The spray gun system 10 also includes a reservoir 30. Any suitable reservoir or container may be used in the system 10, for example, in one or more embodiments of the container described in U.S. Patent No. 7,410,106, entitled “Pressurized liquid supply assembly” by Escoto, Jr. et al. As shown in Figure 10, the reservoir 30 disclosed herein includes a container 32 having a side wall 34, a bottom end 36, and an upper end 38 having a container opening 40 therein. The reservoir 30 also includes a reservoir inlet 42 in the side wall 34 and a reservoir fitting 44 extending outward from the side wall. The reservoir fitting 44 is configured to connect the reservoir 30 to a reservoir connector 46 (Figure 2). The reservoir 30 may also include one or more additional functional parts, such as distribution fins for improving airflow and distribution within the container 32. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 7,410,106.

[0045] The reservoir container 32 may be designed to withstand any appropriate air pressure. In one or more embodiments, the container 32 can withstand relatively high air pressures, for example, above about 69.0 kPa (10 psi), above about 137.9 kPa (20 psi), etc.

[0046] The reservoir 30 also includes a lid component 160. The lid component 160 may include a filter component (not shown) permanently or temporarily attached to the underside of the lid component facing the interior of the container 32 when the lid component is connected to the container. The lid component 160 may further include one or more components that can be connected to the fluid port 88 of the spray head assembly 14, one or more of which are located on the outer surface and at the second end of the lid component. For example, the lid component 160 may include a sealing ring 162 projecting radially outward at axial spacing along the outer surface of a cylindrical portion 164 located on a boss 166, and lips 168 projecting inward opposite each other on the distal end of a hook member 170 that project equally spaced from both sides of a cylindrical portion extending from the outer surface 172 of the exemplary lid component 160. The characteristics of these various components can be used, for example, to attach the lid component 160 to the fluid port 88, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,536,687, entitled "Mixing cup adapting assembly" by Navis et al.

[0047] The reservoir 30 may also include a liner 174. The liner 174 may include at least one liner sidewall 178, a liner bottom end 176, a liner top end 175 having a liner opening 177 therein, and a liner rim 179 extending along the liner top end and projecting from the liner top end. In one or more embodiments, the liner 174 is self-supporting and foldable. In one or more embodiments, the liner 174 has a relatively rigid base 176 and relatively thin sidewalls 178 such that the liner folds longitudinally by folding the sidewalls rather than the base.

[0048] The reservoir 30 may also include a shroud component 180 that extends over the lid component and provides support to the lid component 160 by limiting the expansion of the lid component when high pressure is applied. Similar to the lid component 160 described above, the shroud component 180 may include an injection-molded part formed from a plastic material such as polypropylene or polyamide. In one or more embodiments, the shroud component 180 may be transparent to allow visibility of the lid component 160 and the contents within the liquid supply assembly.

[0049] The reservoir 30 further includes a collar 182 having an upper end 183, a lower end 188, and at least one collar sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends, having a collar opening 185 therein; a collar rim 190 extending along the upper end and projecting into the collar opening; and a set of threads 184 extending along at least one collar sidewall, the set of threads being able to engage with a set of threads 186 of the container 32.

[0050] The reservoir 30 may further include one or more additional optional components. Preferred optional components include a filter element that can be permanently or temporarily attached to the lid component, and a gasket that can be placed between the lid component and the liner (or the liner component of the container), Includes, but is not limited to, a display sheet having markings on it to assist the user when introducing one or more liquids into the foldable liner, and an adapter positioned between the lid component and the spray device for connecting the lid component to the spray device.

[0051] The spray gun 11 also includes a spray gun converter 100. As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the converter 100 includes a body 102 having a first end 104 configured to be inserted into the manifold 22 of the platform 12. The body 102 further includes a second end 106 having a converter fitting 108 configured to connect to a reservoir 30. Furthermore, the body 102 includes a reservoir air passage 110 extending through the body from an inlet end 112 at the first end 104 to an outlet end 114 at the converter fitting 108 at the second end 106. The converter 100 also includes a reservoir air control valve 116 for opening (Figure 9) and closing (Figure 8) the reservoir air passage 110. The body 102 may include at least one of any suitable one or more materials, e.g., metal, polymer, or other inorganic material. The main body 102 may be manufactured using any suitable one or more technologies, such as casting, molding, machining, 3D printing, or any other addition or removal manufacturing technology.

[0052] The body 102 can take any suitable shape or have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the body 102 is configured such that at least a portion of the body can be inserted into the manifold 22 of the spray gun platform 12. For example, the first end 104 of the body 102 may be configured to be inserted into an access 61 of the manifold 22. In one or more embodiments, the first end 104 of the body 102 may be configured to be inserted into a second access 62 of the manifold 22. In one or more embodiments, the converter 100 may include a gasket 118 positioned adjacent to the first end 104 of the body 102. As used herein, the term “adjacent to the first end” means that an element or component is positioned closer to the first end 104 of the body 102 of the converter 100 than to a second end 106 of the body. The gasket 118 may surround at least a portion of the first end 104 of the body 102. The gasket 118 may contain any suitable one or more materials and may have any suitable dimensions so that the gasket provides an air seal between the body 102 of the converter 100 and the manifold 22. Although illustrated to include two gaskets 118, the converter 100 may contain any suitable number of gaskets, for example, one, two, three, four, five, or more. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the body 102 may include a slot 120 that is configured to receive at least a portion of the gasket 118 so that the gasket remains connected to the body 102.

[0053] The second end 106 of the body 102 includes a converter fitting 108. The converter fitting 108 can be positioned at any suitable location relative to the first end 104 of the body 102. In one or more embodiments, the converter fitting 108 may be positioned at the second end 106 of the body 102. In one or more embodiments, the converter fitting 108 is positioned adjacent to the second end 106 of the body 102. As used herein, the term “adjacent to the second end” means that an element or component is positioned closer to the second end 106 of the body 102 than to the first end 104.

[0054] The converter fitting 108 can take any suitable one or more shapes and have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the converter fitting 108 is configured to connect to the reservoir connector 46 of the reservoir 30 using any suitable one or more techniques. In one or more embodiments, the reservoir connector 46 can be mated onto the converter fitting 108 such that at least a portion of the fitting is positioned inside the connector. Although not shown, in one or more embodiments, the converter fitting 108 includes one or more rings or lips positioned on the outer surface of the fitting so that it can hold the reservoir connector 46 when the connector is positioned on the fitting.

[0055] A reservoir air passage 110 extends through the body 102 of the converter 100. The passage is configured to fluidize to the chamber 25 of the manifold 22 on the platform 12. The passage 110 can take any suitable shape or more shapes and can have any suitable dimensions. The passage 110 extends from the inlet end 112 of the reservoir air passage 110 at the first end 104 of the body 102 to the outlet end 114 of the reservoir air passage 110 at the converter fitting 108 at the second end 106. The passage 110 includes a first portion 122 extending from the inlet end 112 and a second portion 124 extending from the outlet end 114. The first portion 122 and the second portion 124 form an intersection 126 within the body 102 of the spray gun converter 100. The first portion 122 of the reservoir air passage 110 can form any suitable angle 4 with the second portion 124, as shown in Figure 8. In one or more embodiments, the first portion 122 and the second portion 124 are substantially perpendicular at the intersection 126. As used herein, the term “substantially perpendicular” means that the angle 4 formed by the first portion 122 and the second portion 124 of the passage 110 at the intersection 126 is at least 80 degrees and not exceeding 110 degrees.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the second portion 124 of the reservoir air passage 110 extends through the body 102 from the outlet end 114 to the opening 128 of the body 102 opposite the outlet end 114. In one or more embodiments, the second portion 124 extends linearly from the outlet end 114 to the opening 128.

[0057] The converter 100 also includes a reservoir air control valve 116. The valve 116 is configured to open and close the reservoir air passage 110. The valve 116 may include any suitable one or more valves. In one or more embodiments, the valve 116 is a screw-type needle valve including a reservoir air control knob 132.

[0058] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the valve 116 may include one or more threads 134 that engage with one or more threads 138 located in the second portion 124 of the reservoir air passage 110. The valve 116 may take any suitable one or more shapes and may have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the valve 116 may include one or more gaskets 140. The gaskets 140 can provide an air seal between the valve 116 and the inner wall of the second portion 124 of the reservoir air passage 110.

[0059] The valve 116 may be located at the intersection 126 of the first portion 122 and the second portion 124 of the reservoir air passage 110. In one or more embodiments, the valve 116 is screwed into the opening 128 of the second portion 124.

[0060] As referred to herein, the reservoir air control valve 116 opens and closes the reservoir air passage 110 using any suitable one or more techniques. In one or more embodiments, the valve 116 may be adjusted to close, partially open, or fully open the reservoir air passage 110. When in the closed position as shown in Figure 8, the end 142 of the valve 116 extends into the second portion 124 of the reservoir air passage 110, preventing air from the first portion 110 of the reservoir air passage 110, which entered the passage through the inlet end 112, from passing through the second portion and out of the outlet end 114 of the passage. In one or more embodiments, the end 142 of the valve 116 may be molded to engage with a ledge 144 of the second portion 124 of the reservoir air passage 110 to seal the outlet end 114 of the second portion.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the reservoir air control valve 116 can open the reservoir air passage 110 using any suitable one or more techniques. In one or more embodiments, the valve 116 can be rotated so that the valve end 142 is drawn out from the ledge 144 of the second portion 124, thereby allowing air to flow through the intersection 126 from the first portion 122 into the second portion. Such air then flows through the outlet end 114 of the second portion 124 into the reservoir connector 46, where it is directed into the container 32 of the reservoir 30. Such air can pressurize the container 32 and supply pressurized fluid to the spray head assembly 14 of the spray gun 11 through the fluid port 88.

[0062] Although the spray gun 11 is illustrated as having a reservoir 30 positioned above the platform 12 when the spray gun is directed to the position in use, the spray gun may include a spray head assembly such that the reservoir is positioned below the platform. In such an embodiment, a converter 100 can be used to supply gas or air to the reservoir 30, providing a pressure-assisted flow when the reservoir air control valve 116 is at least partially open. Furthermore, with the reservoir air control valve 116 closed, the spray gun 11 operates as a standard suction-feed spray gun.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the spray gun connector 100 may also include a fan air control valve 146. The fan air control valve 146 can open and close the manifold fan air outlet 28. The valve 146 may include any suitable valve. In one or more embodiments, the valve 146 may include a threaded spindle 148 extending through the body 102 of the spray gun converter 100 from a first end 104 to a second end 106. The valve 146 may also include a valve plug 150 attached to the threaded spindle 148 adjacent to the first end 104 of the body 102 of the converter 100.

[0064] The fan air control valve 146 can control the air delivered from the chamber 25 to the manifold fan air outlet 28. As a result, the fan air control valve 146 can control the airflow to the air horn 90 of the spray head assembly 14 to adjust the spray pattern shape. Furthermore, the fan air control valve 146 may include a fan air control knob 152 mounted on the spindle 148 adjacent to the second end 106 of the body 102. In one or more embodiments, the threaded spindle 148, valve plug 150, and fan air control knob 152 may be a single component, i.e., manufactured as a single part. In one or more embodiments, the threaded spindle 148, valve plug 150, and fan air control knob 152 may be manufactured separately and connected together using any suitable one or more techniques.

[0065] The reservoir air control valve 116 and the fan air control valve 146 can be positioned at any suitable location relative to each other. For example, in one configuration, the reservoir air control valve 116 is positioned to at least partially open the reservoir air passage 110, and the fan air control valve 146 is positioned to at least partially open the manifold fan air outlet 28. In such a configuration, air flows into the container 32 through the reservoir air passage 110, through the outlet end 114, and through the reservoir connector 46. Such air can be used to pressurize the fluid contained in the container 32 and to supply the thus pressurized fluid to the spray head assembly 14. Furthermore, in this configuration, air also flows through the manifold fan air outlet 28 and exits through the nozzle fan air outlet 20.

[0066] In an alternative configuration, the reservoir air control valve 116 is configured to close the reservoir air passage 110, and the fan air control valve 146 is configured to at least partially open the manifold fan air outlet 28. In yet another embodiment, the reservoir air control valve 116 is configured to close the reservoir air passage 110, and the fan air control valve 146 is configured to close the manifold fan air outlet 28. When the reservoir air control valve 116 is closed, the spray gun may operate as a standard gravity-feed gun by removing the reservoir connector 46, resulting in the pressure in the reservoir remaining at atmospheric pressure during gun operation. Failure to remove the reservoir connector 46 will effectively seal the reservoir, resulting in fluid being drawn into the gun and a decrease in the pressure inside the reservoir. This pressure drop will slow the fluid flow from the reservoir and the nozzle fluid outlet 16.

[0067] The gravity-feed spray gun can be converted to a pressure-assisted spray gun 11 by utilizing any suitable one or more technologies in the spray gun system 10. For example, Figure 11 is a flowchart of one embodiment of method 200 for converting the spray gun 11 of the spray gun system 10. Although the spray gun 11 and spray gun converter 100 of the spray gun system 10 are described in Figures 1 to 10, method 200 can be used with any suitable spray gun and converter.

[0068] In 202, the spray gun converter 100 is inserted into the manifold 22 of the gravity-feed spray gun 11. In one or more embodiments, the first end 104 of the body 102 of the converter 100 is inserted into access 61 or a second access 62 of the manifold 22. In one or more embodiments, a standard control valve, if present, can be removed from the platform 12 before inserting the converter 100 into the manifold 22. If it is desirable to use a pressurized reservoir 30, such a reservoir is connected to the platform 12 using any suitable one or more techniques. The converter fitting 108 is fluidly connected to the reservoir 30 in 204 using any suitable one or more techniques. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the converter fitting 108 may be located within the reservoir connector 46. In 206, the reservoir air control valve 116 can be adjusted so that the reservoir air passage 110 is at least partially open. When the reservoir air control valve 116 is at least partially open, air from the manifold 22 can be directed into the reservoir air passage 110 through the inlet end 112. Such air can then be directed into the reservoir connector 46 through the outlet end 114. This air can be used to pressurize the fluid contained in the vessel 32. As discussed herein, the pressurized fluid can be directed to the spray head assembly 14 using any suitable one or more techniques to direct the liquid coating from the system 10 onto the surface. In embodiments where a standard gravity reservoir 30 is preferred, the reservoir air control valve 116 can be operated so that the reservoir air passage 110 is closed.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, in 208, the fan air control valve 146 may be adjusted so that the valve is at least partially open. When the fan air control valve 146 is at least partially open, air from the manifold 22 can flow into the manifold fan air outlet 28 through the nozzle fan air outlet 20 of the spray head assembly 14.

[0070] All references and publications referred to herein are expressly incorporated by reference unless they would directly contradict this disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been considered, along with possible modifications within the scope of this disclosure. These and other modifications and changes of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Therefore, this disclosure should be limited only by the claims provided below. In addition to each embodiment, the following embodiments are also described. (Note 1) The main body, A first end configured to be inserted into the manifold of the spray gun, A second end having a converter fitting configured to connect to a reservoir, A reservoir air passage extending through the body from the inlet end at the first end to the outlet end at the converter fitting at the second end, The main unit, A reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage, A spray gun converter equipped with this feature. (Note 2) The spray gun converter according to Appendix 1, further comprising a gasket surrounding at least a portion of the first end of the main body. (Note 3) The spray gun converter according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, wherein the reservoir air control valve is a screw-type needle valve including a reservoir air control knob. (Note 4) The spray gun converter according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the reservoir air passage includes a first portion extending from the inlet end and a second portion extending from the outlet end, and the first portion and the second portion form an intersection within the body of the spray gun converter. (Note 5) The spray gun converter according to Appendix 4, wherein the first and second portions are substantially perpendicular at the intersection. (Note 6) The spray gun converter according to Appendix 4 or Appendix 5, wherein the reservoir air control valve is located at the intersection of the first portion and the second portion of the reservoir air passage. (Note 7) The spray gun converter according to any one of the appendices 4 to 6, wherein the second portion of the reservoir air passage extends linearly through the body from the outlet end to an opening in the body opposite to the outlet end, and the reservoir air control valve is screwed into the opening and can be adjusted to close, partially open, or fully open the reservoir air passage. (Note 8) A spray gun converter as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 7, further comprising a fan air control valve. (Note 9) The aforementioned fan air control valve A screw-type spindle extending through the body of the spray gun converter from the first end to the second end, A valve plug attached to the screw-type spindle near the first end of the main body, A fan air control knob is attached to the spindle near the second end of the main body, A spray gun converter, including the one described in Appendix 8. (Note 10) A platform including a manifold, wherein the manifold is Chamber and, A manifold air inlet is fluid-connected to the aforementioned chamber, The chamber is connected to a central manifold air outlet and a manifold fan air outlet, respectively. The chamber includes, Platform and A spray head assembly connected to the platform, A nozzle fluid passage including a nozzle fluid inlet and a nozzle fluid outlet, A nozzle central air passage including a nozzle central air inlet and a nozzle central air outlet, Includes a nozzle fan air passage including a nozzle fan air inlet and a nozzle fan air outlet, The nozzle's central air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold's central air outlet, and the nozzle fan air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold fan air outlet. spray head assembly and It is a spray gun converter, The main body, A first end configured to be inserted into the access of the manifold of the platform, A second end having a converter fitting configured to connect to a reservoir, The main unit, A reservoir air passage extending through the body from the inlet end at the first end to the outlet end at the converter fitting at the second end, configured to be fluidly connected to the chamber of the manifold of the platform, A reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage, Includes a spray gun converter, A spray gun equipped with [a specific feature / equipment]. (Note 11) The spray gun according to Appendix 10, wherein the reservoir air control valve is a screw-type needle valve including a reservoir air control knob. (Note 12) The spray gun according to Appendix 10 or Appendix 11, wherein the reservoir air passage includes a first portion extending from the inlet end and a second portion extending from the outlet end, and the first portion and the second portion form an intersection within the body of the spray gun converter. (Note 13) The spray gun described in Appendix 12, wherein the intersection is substantially at a right angle. (Note 14) The spray gun according to Appendix 12 or Appendix 13, wherein the reservoir air control valve is located at the intersection of the first portion and the second portion of the reservoir air passage. (Note 15) The spray gun according to any one of the appendices 12 to 14, wherein the second portion of the reservoir air passage extends linearly through the body from the outlet end to an opening in the body opposite to the outlet end, and the reservoir air control valve is screwed into the opening and can be adjusted to close, partially open, or fully open the reservoir air passage. (Note 16) A spray gun according to any one of the appendices 10 to 15, further comprising a fan air control valve for opening and closing the manifold fan air outlet. (Note 17) The aforementioned fan air control valve A screw-type spindle extending through the body of the spray gun converter from the first end to the second end, A valve plug attached to the screw-type spindle adjacent to the first end of the main body, A fan air control knob is attached to the spindle adjacent to the second end of the main body, A spray gun, including those described in Appendix 16. (Note 18) The spray gun according to Appendix 16 or Appendix 17, wherein the reservoir air control valve is arranged to close the reservoir air passage, and the fan air control valve is arranged to at least partially open the manifold fan air outlet. (Note 19) The spray gun according to any one of the appendices 16 to 18, wherein the reservoir air control valve is arranged to at least partially open the reservoir air passage, and the fan air control valve is arranged to close the manifold fan air outlet. (Note 20) The spray gun according to any one of the appendices 16 to 19, wherein the reservoir air control valve is arranged to close the reservoir air passage, and the fan air control valve is arranged to close the manifold fan air outlet. (Note 21) The spray gun according to any one of the appendices 16 to 20, wherein the reservoir air control valve is arranged to at least partially open the reservoir air passage, and the fan air control valve is arranged to at least partially open the manifold fan air outlet. (Note 22) A platform including a manifold, wherein the manifold is Chamber and, A manifold air inlet is fluid-connected to the aforementioned chamber, The chamber is connected to a central manifold air outlet and a manifold fan air outlet, respectively. The chamber includes, Platform and A spray head assembly connected to the platform, A nozzle fluid passage including a nozzle fluid inlet and a nozzle fluid outlet, A nozzle central air passage including a nozzle central air inlet and a nozzle central air outlet, Includes a nozzle fan air passage including a nozzle fan air inlet and a nozzle fan air outlet, The nozzle's central air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold's central air outlet, and the nozzle fan air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold fan air outlet. spray head assembly and It is a spray gun converter, The main body, A first end configured to be inserted into the access of the manifold of the platform, A second end having a converter fitting, The main unit, A reservoir air passage extending through the body from the inlet end at the first end to the outlet end at the converter fitting at the second end, configured to be fluidly connected to the chamber of the manifold of the platform, A reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage, Includes a spray gun converter, A reservoir including a reservoir fitting and a fluid outlet that supplies fluid to the nozzle fluid inlet in the spray head assembly, A reservoir connector is attached at one end to the reservoir fitting of the reservoir and at the opposite end to the converter fitting of the spray gun converter, A spray gun system equipped with this feature. (Note 23) The spray gun system as described in Appendix 22, wherein the reservoir connector is a tube. (Note 24) The spray gun system according to Appendix 22 or Appendix 23, wherein the manifold of the platform further includes a second access. (Note 25) The spray gun system according to any one of the appendices 22 to 24, further comprising a fan air control valve for opening and closing the aforementioned fan air passage. (Note 26) A method for converting a gravity-feed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun, It is a spray gun converter, The main body, A first end configured to be inserted into the manifold of the gravity-feed spray gun, A second end having a converter fitting configured to connect to a reservoir, A reservoir air passage extending through the body from the inlet end at the first end to the outlet end at the converter fitting at the second end, The main unit, A reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage, A spray gun converter equipped with the above is inserted into the manifold of the gravity-feed spray gun, The converter is fluidly connected to the reservoir, Adjust the reservoir air control valve so that the reservoir air passage is at least partially open, Methods that include... (Note 27) The method according to Appendix 26, wherein the spray gun converter further comprises a fan air control valve for opening and closing the manifold fan air outlet of the manifold. (Note 28) The method according to Appendix 26 or Appendix 27, wherein inserting the spray gun converter into the manifold includes inserting the first end of the body of the spray gun converter into the access of the manifold.

Claims

1. The main body, A first end configured to be inserted into the manifold of the spray gun, A second end having a converter fitting configured to connect to a reservoir, A reservoir air passage extending through the main body from the inlet end at the first end to the outlet end at the converter fitting at the second end, The main unit, A reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage, Equipped with, The reservoir air passage includes a first portion extending from the inlet end and a second portion extending from the outlet end, and the first portion and the second portion form an intersection within the main body. A spray gun converter wherein the second portion of the reservoir air passage extends linearly through the body from the outlet end to an opening in the body opposite to the outlet end, and the reservoir air control valve is screwed into the opening and can be adjusted to close, partially open, or completely open the reservoir air passage.

2. It is further equipped with a fan air control valve that opens and closes the manifold fan air outlet, The aforementioned fan air control valve A screw-type spindle extending from the first end to the second end through the body of the spray gun converter, A valve plug attached to the screw-type spindle near the first end of the main body, A fan air control knob is attached to the spindle, adjacent to the second end of the main body, A spray gun converter according to claim 1, including the following:

3. A platform including a manifold, wherein the manifold is Chamber and, A manifold air inlet is fluid-connected to the aforementioned chamber, The chamber is connected to a central manifold air outlet and a manifold fan air outlet, respectively. The chamber includes, Platform and A spray head assembly connected to the platform, A nozzle fluid passage including a nozzle fluid inlet and a nozzle fluid outlet, A nozzle central air passage including a nozzle central air inlet and a nozzle central air outlet, Includes a nozzle fan air passage including a nozzle fan air inlet and a nozzle fan air outlet, The nozzle's central air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold's central air outlet, and the nozzle fan air inlet is fluid-connected to the manifold fan air outlet. spray head assembly and A spray gun converter according to claim 1 or 2, A spray gun equipped with [a specific feature / equipment].

4. The spray gun according to claim 3, wherein the reservoir air control valve is a screw-type needle valve including a reservoir air control knob.

5. The spray gun according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the intersection is substantially at a right angle.

6. The spray gun according to claim 5, wherein the reservoir air control valve is located at the intersection of the first portion and the second portion of the reservoir air passage.

7. A spray gun according to any one of claims 3 to 6, each relating to claim 2, wherein the reservoir air control valve is arranged to close the reservoir air passage, and the fan air control valve is arranged to at least partially open the manifold fan air outlet.

8. A spray gun according to any one of claims 3 to 7, each referencing claim 2, wherein the reservoir air control valve is arranged to at least partially open the reservoir air passage, and the fan air control valve is arranged to close the manifold fan air outlet.

9. A spray gun according to any one of claims 3 to 8, each referencing claim 2, wherein the reservoir air control valve is arranged to close the reservoir air passage, and the fan air control valve is arranged to close the manifold fan air outlet.

10. A spray gun according to any one of claims 3 to 9, each referencing claim 2, wherein the reservoir air control valve is arranged to at least partially open the reservoir air passage, and the fan air control valve is arranged to at least partially open the manifold fan air outlet.

11. A method for converting a gravity-feed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun, Inserting the spray gun converter according to claim 1 or 2 into the manifold of the gravity-feed spray gun, The spray gun converter is fluid-connected to the reservoir, Adjust the reservoir air control valve so that the reservoir air passage is at least partially open, Methods that include...

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein inserting the spray gun converter into the manifold includes inserting the first end of the body of the spray gun converter into the access of the manifold.

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