A paint roller with a freely rotatable adapter and two frustoconical applicators, said adapter and a kit of parts

Abstract

A paint roller comprising - a handle; - an elongated rod extending from the handle, said rod terminating in an axle portion; - a first frustoconical applicator; characterized in that the paint roller comprises: - a second frustoconical applicator; and - an adapter, for being rotatably mounted on the axle portion of the rod, comprising: a first axle, and a second axle, wherein the first applicator is rotatably mounted on said first axle, and wherein the second applicator is rotatably mounted on said second axle.

Description

[0001]A paint roller with a freely rotatable adapter and two frustoconical applicators, said adapter and a kit of parts The present invention relates to a prior art solution for addressing the challenge of painting along corners without spillage. Skilled renovators often encounter difficulties in achieving clean paint lines without staining the adjacent wall, typically resorting to the use of tape or other protective measures. However, these methods are time-consuming, cumbersome, and may result in uneven application or residue left behind on the wall. To expedite the process of painting along corners, frustoconical applicators with paint rollers have been introduced to the market. These tools offer significant advantages, allowing even unskilled users to achieve satisfactory results. Generally, these applicators are equipped with an end-cap that proves particularly effective for 90-degree corners. By resting the cap on the adjacent wall, users can steady their paint strokes and maintain control. Regrettably, the frustoconical shape of these applicators naturally inclines them to follow curved paths. Consequently, users are required to exert a slight counterforce while painting to ensure that the end-cap remains in contact with the adjacent wall and to guide the roller along a straight path. However, maintaining this counterforce can be cumbersome, especially when the user's arm is extended. As such, the present invention aims to provide an improved roller with greater steadiness while painting. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provide a paint roller comprising a handle and an elongated rod extending from the handle terminating in an axle portion. Such a rod usually comprises an offset portion, in which case the rod terminates in an inwardly extending axle portion. Such offset portions are themselves nothing new, and can be found in US 3,060,555 A. The invention differs from the prior art in that instead of having a single frustoconical applicator the roller has a first and a second frustoconical applicator as well as an adapter which fits on the axle portion of the rod, which adapter in turn mounts the first and second applicators on a separate first and second axle respectively, each formed as part of said adapter. In this invention the first and second applicators are mounted so that the rotational axis of the applicators extend parallel to each other while the applicators diverge in the same general direction and without the applicators touching. The adapter is itself provided such that it can itself freely rotate around the axle of the rod. To reduce the need for vigilance and active steering of the roller the first and second applicators can be the substantially the same size and shape, their distal ends oriented in the same general direction, wherein the first and second axles are spaced apart such that the ends of the applicators are prevented from touching each other when mounted, and wherein the distance between the longitudinal axis of first the and second axles is at least the size of the diameter of the first applicator at its largest point. In one example the distance is equal to 150-200% of the diameter of the first applicator at its largest point, more preferably this distance is 165-185% of the value of the first applicator to retain effect while keeping the roller compact. In one particular embodiment each of the first and second applicator comprises a cylindrical tubular core provided with a flange projecting radially outward at a proximal end, and a flange projecting radially outward at a distal end, and a removable paint-absorbing frustoconical sleeve covering the core and held in place between said flanges. This provides a stable cylindrical core between which the paint-absorbing sleeve can be held in place while painting. In a preferred embodiment the flange of the distal end is larger than the flange of the proximal end. One can understand this to mean that the flange of the distal end extends further radially outward than the flange of the proximal end. Any shifting of the sleeve can moreover be prevented by the sleeve having a length which is larger than the distance between the flanges of the proximal and distal ends. Preferably, the difference in length is 0,5-5 mm per 50 mm of sleeve length as measured when removed from the core. A synergistic effect can be seen when the flange of the distal end is larger than the flange of the proximal end, namely that local deformation in the sleeve at said distal end does not bulge over the flange at said end, thus improving the performance. Most preferred is a difference in length of 1-3 mm per 50 mm of sleeve length as measured when removed from the core. Paint can accumulate on the flange while painting. To prevent such paint from staining the adjacent wall the distal end of the core is closed and can comprise a protrusion so that said distal end protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the corresponding flange of the core forming a bulge which is 5-20 times thicker than said flange at its edge. The bulge can be defined by a bell-curve in cross-section which curve tapers off towards the edge of the flange of said distal end. In one example the bulge substantially entirely ceases at the point where the flange extends radially outward from the core. This shape further reduces any smudging of the adjacent wall. Optionally the previously mentioned bulge is comprised as an adjustable element, such as a screw element in the core, such that the extent by which the bulge projects from the core can be adjusted without adjusting the distance between the flanges. Beneficially, this allows the roller to paint corners which are more shallow, like 100-120 degree corners. Alternative to a screw element, a spring biased portion can be provided which can be pressed and reversibly moved into an extended position suitable for a corner within the range of 100-120 degrees, and a retracted position in which suitable for a corner within the range of 85-95 degrees. It is exceedingly important that the applicators can rotate while resisting movement along the length of their respective axles. As such the tubular core of each of the first and second applicators can be comprised of a first part and a second part which are assembled together to form the core. The flange of the proximal end is integral with the first part, and the flange of the distal end being integral with the second part. Said first and second part when assembled define a chamber that contains a non-fixed clamping element. Non-fixed here means that the element can freely rotated within the chamber. More specifically, the clamping element is not fixed to the first or second part. Rather, the clamping element is simply contained within the chamber. The non-fixed clamping element can be a partial ring like a c-shape, or a ring, and wherein said clamping element is designed for clamping the corresponding first axle or second axle when said axle is inserted into the tubular core. This allows applicators to be assembled with the adapter. In all embodiments the distal ends of the first axle and second axle as well as the axle portion of the rod are preferably pointed in the same general direction, each of the axles and the axle portion extending parallel to each other. Also separate from the above example the body of the adapter may also comprise a first and second part which when assembled together define an inner volume which can be provided with a non-fixed clamping element designed for clamping the axle portion of the rod. In this manner the adapter can also be prevented from sliding. In extension of the before mentioned, the axle portion of the rod and the axles of the adapter can be designed so as to have the same diameter. This beneficially enables the user to rapidly reconfigure the roller, such as in the event that one of the applicators has become defective. That is to say, the user can reconfigure the roller such that he or she can continue with a single applicator assembled with the axle portion of the rod. It should be mentioned that the tolerances of the multipart cores and multipart adapter body can compound to cause uneven coatings. This is a unique problem for rollers comprising adapters. To this end the clamping elements can best be designed to fit snugly into their respective chambers such that tolerances remain under 1 mm. That is to say: each core and its respective non-fixed clamping element should be designed such that any wiggling that the applicator is allowed with respect to the adapter remains under 1 mm; and the adapter and respective non-fixed clamping element should be designed such that any wiggling that the adapter is allowed with respect to the axle portion of the rod remains under 1 mm. Preferably, the total tolerance, which is a sum of both tolerances, remains under 1 Beneficially, the force of a user is distributed equally over the applicators. To this end the adapter may comprises a frustoconical body portion with two flattened lateral faces opposite each other, wherein the axle portion of the rod is received in said portion. By providing a flat surface, the adapter can be prevented from being rotationally biased in the direction of rolling while allowing any of the two flat surfaces to act as a guide surface along the wall. By having two flattened faces opposite each other, the adapter obtains a 180 degree rotational symmetry. The user can use the adapter under any rotational orientation. It should be understood that the first and second axles are attached to or integral with a part of the curved surfaces of the frustoconical body that extend on either side of the body between the flat surfaces. For equal force distribution one can also furnish the frustoconical body of the adapter and the first and second axle in a single plane, wherein the first and second axle are furnished at opposite sides of the frustoconical body. This allows any pressure to be centrally exerted on the body of the adapter and distributed to the applicators. Optionally, the axis of rotation of the adapter on the axle of the rod is substantially parallel to: - the axis of rotation of the first applicator on the first axle of the adapter; and - the axis of rotation of the second applicator on the second axle of the adapter. This prevents any portion of the rod, specifically any offset portions, from interfering with the distal ends of the applicators. To allow easy assembly and disassembly the first and second frustoconical applicator each diverge in a same general direction whereas the frustoconical body of the applicator diverges in the opposite direction thereto. In some cases this can prevent a user from assembling the applicators erroneously with the body in a manner, such as in an inverted manner. In yet other case this simply prevents the body and the applicators from interfering with each other. In a highly specific embodiment the first and second applicators can be designed so that, in a cross-section along the single plane, the outer surface of the body of the adapter nearest to the first applicator extends parallel to the outer surface of the first applicator nearest to the adapter, and the outer surface of the body of the adapter nearest to the second applicator extends parallel to the outer surface of the second applicator nearest to the adapter. This design immediately allows a user to see whether an incompatible applicator is connected to the adapter as this may not necessarily readily apparent to a user that uses the roller as a modular platform for different applicators. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided the adapter of the roller according the first aspect of the invention and any of the mentioned options, such as comprising a first frustoconical applicator, and a second frustoconical applicator. Wherever the first aspect mentions features regarding the axle portion of the rod, the adapter is merely compatible therewith, but need not comprise said axle portion itself. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising: - a handle with an elongated rod extending from said handle terminating in an axle portion; - an adapter as described herein above; as well as - a first frustoconical applicator; - a second frustoconical applicator. Yet more kits can be provided, such as one where a third applicator is provided that can be assembled with the axle portion of the rod instead of the adapter. Such a third applicator could differ in its shape. In one example, such a third applicator is cylindrical, so that a user can switch out the adapter when he or she is finished with the corners of a wall. Regarding the bulge design a further entirely separate concept can be considered. After all, the roller may be used modularly with the adapter being switched out for a single applicator. As such, the bulge design can also beneficially be applied to paint rollers with a single applicator, without an adapter. Such a paint roller would then have the following features: A paint roller comprising: - a handle; - an elongated rod extending from the handle terminating in an axle portion; - a first frustoconical applicator rotatably mounted on the axle portion of the rod; characterized in that the first frustoconical applicator, wherein the first applicator comprises a cylindrical tubular core provided with a flange projecting radially outward at a proximal end, and a flange projecting radially outward at a distal end, and a removable paint- absorbing frustoconical sleeve covering the core and held in place between said flanges, wherein the length of the sleeve, when removed from the core, is larger than the distance between the flanges, wherein the distal end of the sleeve is closed and protrudes outwards in the longitudinal direction from the core forming a bulge which is at least 5-20 times thicker than the flange at its edge, wherein said bulge substantially entirely ceases at the point where the flange extends radially outward from the core. In one example, also separate from this embodiment, the bulge can be designed to form a bell curve which tapers off towards the edge of the flange. This prevents paint from moving from the flange onto the bulge, resulting in staining. Additionally and or alternatively, the bulge is comprised as a screw element in the core, such that the extent by which the bulge projects from the core can be adjusted without adjusting the distance between the flanges. This also allows walls to be painted along corners greater than 90 degrees, as for such corners the bulge can be moved to extend further outward. The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated by means of the following figures: Fig. 1 shows a general embodiment of the roller according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows an applicator according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows the adapter according to the invention; and Fig. 4 shows an alternative applicator according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the paint roller 1 according to the invention. Here the roller can be seen to have a handle 2 and an elongated rod 3 extending from the handle 2, the rod having an offset portion 4 and the rod 3 terminating in an inwardly extending axle portion 5. Here the roller is fitted with a first frustoconical applicator 6 and a second frustoconical applicator 7, each being rotatably, and preferably removably, mounted on an adapter 8 which is itself rotatable mounted on the axle portion 5 of the rod 3. The adapter can be seen to have a body 11 into which the adapter receives the axle portion 5. The adapter 8 can be seen to have a first axle 9 and a second axle 10, each provided at opposite sides of the body portion 11 of the adapter 8. In this example the axis of rotation of the adapter 8 lies in the same plane as the axis of rotation of the applicators 6, 7. The first and second axle are namely spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other, while the applicators diverge in the same general direction D. Effectively one can see Figure 1 as a cross section of said plane. In any case, the first applicator 6 is rotatably mounted on said first axle 9, and the second applicator 7 is rotatably mounted on said second axle 10. It should be stressed that the offset portion 4 is optional. If present, also separately from this example the offset O1 is chosen such that the offset portion 4 itself is prevented from scraping along the wall. To achieve this, the offset can be chosen to have a length within 40-160%, preferably 50-130% of the length of an applicators 6, 7, wherein the bend O2 of the offset portion 4 to the axle portion 5 projects at most 2 cm out from the adapter 8, preferably between 0,5-1 cm. This assumes of course that the adapter, applicators and handle with rod are all fully assembled. Figure 2 schematically shows the cross-section of a first applicator 6 as part of the roller 1 (not shown in Figure 1) while the roller is being used to apply paint on a wall W. Here only the first applicator 6 is shown, but the second applicator 7 can be considered to comprise the same features for the sake of clarity, and would be positioned much the same way as the first applicator in the corner below or above the first applicator on the same wall. The first applicator 6 can be seen to have a cylindrical tubular core 12, usually also separately from this example made out of a plastic. Here the plastic can comprise a known thermoplastic polymer, but the person skilled in the art will know that various other polymers can be selected from. The handle can be made of the same material. If one were favorably inclined to the environment then the tubular core could be made of a biodegradable polymer, such as polylactic acid. In this example the core 12 provided with a flange 13 projecting radially outward at a proximal end 14 and another flange 15 projecting radially outward at a distal end 16 of the core. The proximal end of the core is the end which receives the corresponding axle of the adapter (not shown here for clarity), whereas the distal end of the core is the end which is designed to support the roller against the adjacent wall AW sharing a corner with the wall W that is to be painted. The first applicator 6 also has a removable paint-absorbing frustoconical sleeve 17. This can be made of a foam, such as a polyurethane foam, but the person skilled in the art will know that there is a variety of materials to choose from. The sleeve 17 is held in place between the flanges and is ever so slightly longer from end to end than the distance between the flanges 13, 15. The sleeve is therefor held in place between the flanges in a relatively tight manner, preventing unwanted slippage. The sleeve 17 can be removed from the core by lifting it over the flange 13 at the proximal end 14 and pulling it over said end. One should consider removing the applicator 6 from the adapter first though. The tubular core 12 knows a first part 12.1 and a second part 12.2 which are assembled together to form said core. The first part 12.1 being, also separate from this example, designed to be plugged into the second part 12.2. The flange 13 of the proximal end 14 is integral with the first part 12.1, whereas the flange 15 of the distal end 16 of the core 12 is integral with the second part 12.2, and wherein said first and second part 12.1, 12.2 when assembled, as shown in Figure 2, define a chamber 18, which is larger in diameter than the corresponding axle (not shown in Figure 2), and which contains a non-fixed clamping element 19. Here the clamping element is a plastic sleeve that is c-shaped in that it is interrupted along its length. This is what is meant with interrupted if used elsewhere. The clamping element 19 here clamps onto the corresponding axle (not shown in Figure 2) when said axle is inserted into the tubular core. Integral with the second part 12.2 is also a protrusion 20, also referred to in this document as a bulge. This is a part of the distal end 16 of the sleeve that protrudes outwards from the core in the longitudinal direction. The bulge is in this example 5-20 times thicker than the flange at its edge. The protrusion in its cross-section follows a bell-curve which decreases in size from the axis to the edge of the flange. The bulge substantially entirely ceases at the point where the flange extends radially outward from the core. The distance between the peak of the bulge 20 and the edge of the flange 15 is chosen such that when the applicator engages the adjacent wall AW with its bulge, that an edge of the sleeve 17 contacts the corer with the wall W without contacting the adjacent wall, and wherein the angle between the adjacent wall and the wall is 85-95 degrees. Figure 3 schematically shows the applicator 8 according to the invention. What stands out about the applicator 8 is that the body portion 11 is itself is frustoconical, but is provided with two flattened lateral faces 21, 22 opposite each other. On the non-flattened surface that extends between the lateral faces arms 23, 24 are provided which extend radially outward from the body 11. On each of these arms 23, 24 an axle is formed 9, 10. These are the first and second axle of the adapter. The frustoconical body of the adapter and the first and second axle are furnished in a single plane, as can also be seen from Figure 1. If one would compare the adapter to an implement one would be reminded of a fork, with each point of the fork forming an axle. In Figure 4 an alternative first applicator 6’ is presented. The only difference between here being that the protrusion, also called the bulge, is at least partially extendible from the core. In one particular design at least a part of the protrusion 20 is provided as a screw portion 20.1 which can rotatable be extended and retracted from the core 12. To this end the core may be provided with a screw thread (not shown, but customary). The screw portion 20.1 is made of the same material as the core, but this is optional. The top of the screw portion may be provided with a recess 20.2 so as to allow a screw driver to be used to adjust its distance. Figure 4 shows that this can make the tool more versatile for different types of corners, including walls with wider angles. In this example the adjacent wall and the wall that is to be painted have a corner larger than 90 degrees, namely 120 In one preferred embodiment the protrusion is designed so as to adjust the suitability of the applicator over the entire range of 90-110 degrees, more preferably over the entire angular range of 90-110 degrees. Suitability being defined as the edge of the sleeve touching the wall without touching the adjacent wall at a specific angle.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A paint roller (1) comprising: - a handle (2); - an elongated rod (3) extending from the handle (2), said rod terminating in an axle portion (5); - a first frustoconical applicator (6); characterized in that the paint roller comprises: - a second frustoconical applicator (7); and - an adapter (8), for being rotatably, and preferably removably, mounted on the axle portion (5) of the rod (3), comprising: a first axle (9), and a second axle (10), wherein the first applicator is rotatably mounted on said first axle, and wherein the second applicator is rotatably mounted on said second axle.

2. The paint roller according to claim 1, wherein the first and second axle (9, 10) are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other and distal ends of the first and second axle are oriented in same general direction (D), while the first and second applicators (6, 7) diverge in said same general direction (D).

3. The paint roller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first and second applicator (9, 10) comprises a cylindrical tubular core (12) provided with a flange (13) projecting radially outward at a proximal end (14), and a flange (15) projecting radially outward at a distal end (16), and a removable paint-absorbing frustoconical sleeve (17) covering the core (12) and held in place between said flanges (13, 15).

4. The paint roller according to claim 3, wherein the length of the sleeve, when removed from the core, is larger than the distance between the flanges.

5. The paint roller according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the distal end of core is closed and comprises a protrusion outwards in the longitudinal direction from the core forming a bulge which is 5-20 times thicker than the flange at its edge.

6. The paint roller according to claim 5, wherein the bulge substantially entirely ceases at the point where the flange extends radially outward from the core, and optionally at least a portion of said bulge is comprised as an adjustable element in the core, such that the extent by which the bulge projects from the core can be adjusted without adjusting the distance between the flanges.

7. The paint roller according to any one of claims 3- 6, wherein the tubular core (12) of each of the first and second applicators (6, 7) is comprised of a first part (12.1) and a second part (12.2) which are assembled together such that the second first part extends into the second part, the flange of the proximal end (13) being integral with the first part (12.1), and the flange of the distal end (15) being integral with the second part (12.2), and wherein said first and second part (12.1, 12.2) when assembled define a chamber (18) which contains a non-fixed clamping element (19), such as a ring, an interrupted a ring or interrupted sleeve, and wherein said clamping element is designed for clamping the corresponding first axle (9) or second axle (10) when said axle is inserted into the tubular core.

8. The paint roller according to any one of claims 1- 7, wherein the first axle (9), second axle (10) and the axle portion (5) of the elongated rod a substantially the same diameter.

9. The paint roller according to any one of claims 1- 8, wherein the axis of rotation of the adapter on the axle portion of the rod is substantially parallel to: - the axis of rotation of the first applicator on the first axle of the adapter; and - the axis of rotation of the second applicator on the second axle of the adapter.

10. The roller according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the adapter (8) comprises a frustoconical body portion (11) with two flattened lateral faces (21, 22) opposite each other, wherein the axle (5) portion of the rod (3) is received within said frustoconical body portion.

11. The roller according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the frustoconical body of the adapter and the first and second axle are furnished in a single plane, wherein the first and second axle are furnished at opposite sides of the frustoconical body.

12. The roller according to claim 11, wherein the first and second frustoconical applicator each diverge in a same general direction whereas the frustoconical body of the applicator diverges in the opposite direction thereto.

13. The roller according to claim 12, wherein the first and second applicators are designed such that, in a cross-section along said single plane, the outer surface of the body of the adapter nearest to the first applicator extends parallel to the outer surface of the first applicator nearest to the adapter, and the outer surface of the body of the adapter nearest to the second applicator extends parallel to the outer surface of the second applicator nearest to the adapter.

14. The adapter of the roller according to any of claims 1-13, optionally comprising: - a first frustoconical applicator (6); and - a second frustoconical applicator (7); 15. A kit of parts comprising: - a handle (2) with an elongated rod (3) extending from said handle (2) terminating in an axle portion (5); - a first frustoconical applicator (6); - a second frustoconical applicator (7); and - an adapter (8), for being rotatably mountable on the axle (5) of the rod (3), comprising: a first axle (9), and a second axle (10), wherein the first applicator is designed for being rotatably mounted on said first axle, and wherein the second applicator is designed for being rotatably mounted on said second axle.

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