Liquid coating applicator having spaced applicating mediums

A liquid coating applicator for use with a plurality of adjacent basins separated by a partition includes a support having a handle portion, a first liquid applying medium coupled to the support and having a first applicating surface extending in a plane and a second liquid applying medium coupled to the support and having a second applicating surface extending in the plane. The first and second liquid applying mediums are spaced from one another so as to form a slot therebetween. The slot is configured to receive the partition such that the first and second applicating surfaces of the first and second mediums may be simultaneously received within the first and second basins to load the first and second mediums with different liquid coatings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to liquid coating applicator systems for 
applying a liquid coating such as paint to a surface such as a wall. In 
particular, the present invention relates to a liquid coating applicator 
system which includes a liquid coating applicator having a plurality of 
spaced paint applying mediums for simultaneously applying different colors 
of liquid coatings to a surface to produce a decorative effect on the 
surface. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Liquid coating applicators, such as rollers, brushes and pads, are commonly 
used to apply liquid coatings, such as paints, stains and varnishes to 
surfaces such as walls and floors. In recent years, such conventional 
rollers, brushes and pads have been increasingly used to create decorative 
or faux finishes on surfaces such as walls. In addition, several other 
tools or liquid applying mediums have been used to create various 
decorative patterns or textures on surfaces. These tools or liquid 
applying mediums includes stippling brushes, open-celled sponges, rags and 
various textured naps of material. In addition, rollers have been modified 
to include patterns. 
To create decorative finishes, the patterned rollers are generally rolled 
across the surface to create a repeating pattern. In contrast, liquid 
coating applicators which include liquid applying mediums that extend 
within a single plane, such as stippling brushes, open-celled sponges and 
rags are generally dabbed or patted against the surface. 
In many cases, depending upon the desired effect, it is desirable to apply 
several colors, shades or even types of liquid coatings or paints to the 
surface. To apply multiple colors to a surface typically requires that a 
separate liquid coating applicator be used for each color or that a single 
liquid coating applicator be cleaned prior to being loaded with a 
different color. Repeated loading of both liquid coating applicators or 
repeated loading and cleaning of a single liquid coating applicator to 
apply multiple colors to a surface is tedious and time consuming. In 
addition, unless extreme caution is practiced, using multiple paint 
applicators or alternating a single paint applicator between different 
colors results in mixed paint supplies. Moreover, it is extremely 
difficult to blend or overlap multiple colors by alternately applying 
different colors with different paint applicators or with a single paint 
applicator since the liquid coating may partially dry between the 
application of different colors. 
To enable the creation of different colored continuous patterns along a 
wall, paint rollers including a single rod or a pair of rods supporting 
two separate rollers have been developed. Despite these advancements in 
the art, there remains a continuing need for a liquid coating applicator 
system and a liquid coating applicator which enables the simultaneous 
application of different liquid coatings by applicating surfaces that 
extend in a single plane and that are patted against the surface being 
decorated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A liquid coating applicator for use with a plurality of adjacent basins 
separated by a partition includes a support having a handle portion, a 
first liquid applying mediums coupled to the support and having a first 
applicating surface extending in a plane and a second liquid applying 
mediums coupled to the support and having a second applicating surface 
extending in the plane. The first and second liquid applying mediums are 
spaced from one another so as to form a slot therebetween. The slot is 
configured to receive the partition such that the first and second 
applicating surfaces of the first and second mediums may be simultaneously 
received within the first and second basins to load the first and second 
mediums with different liquid coatings. 
According to one aspect of the present invention, the first and second 
liquid applying mediums are attached to the support such that the slot 
between the first and second liquid applying mediums has a preselected, 
fixed uniform width for consistently receiving the partition. According to 
yet another aspect of the present invention, the support includes a pair 
of spaced flanges. The base includes a pair of spaced channels slidably 
receiving the pair of spaced flanges to removably couple the base to the 
support. 
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the first and 
second mediums include a first set of bristles and a second set of 
bristles, respectively, wherein the first and second set of bristles are 
configured to stipple a surface with a liquid coating. 
According to yet another aspect, the first and second liquid applying 
mediums comprise sponges. 
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the liquid 
coating applicator includes a substrate coupled to the support and at 
least one material strand threaded through the substrate. The at least one 
material strand is preferably threaded through the substrate so as to form 
a plurality of loops extending from the substrate. Preferably, at least 
one first material strand is threaded through the substrate along a first 
area of the substrate to form the first applying medium while at least one 
second material strand is threaded through the substrate along a second 
area spaced from the first area to form the second applying medium. 
Preferably, the substrate extends outwardly beyond the first and second 
mediums. 
The present invention is also directed to the liquid coating applicator 
system including a tray and a liquid coating applicator. The tray has a 
first basin and a second basin separated by a partition. The liquid 
coating applicator includes a support having a handle portion, a first 
liquid applying mediums coupled to the support of having a first 
applicating surface extending in a plane, and a second liquid applying 
mediums coupled to the support and having a second applicating surface 
extending in the plane. The first and second liquid applying mediums are 
spaced from one another so as to form a slot there between. The slot is 
configured to receive the partition such that the first and second 
applicating surfaces of the first and second mediums may be simultaneously 
received within the first and second basins.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate liquid coating applicator system 10 which 
generally includes tray 12 and liquid coating applicator 14. Tray 12 
generally includes floor 16, front wall 18, rear wall 20, side walls 22, 
24, and partitioning wall 26. Walls 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 extend upwardly 
from floor 16 to form basins or pans 28 and 30. Pans 28 and 30 are 
generally elongate channels configured for simultaneously receiving 
portions of liquid coating applicator 14. Pans 28, 30 also provide 
reservoirs for containing different colors of liquid coating such as 
paint. Partitioning wall 26 preferably has a reduced height facility for 
positioning of perforated portions of liquid coating applicator 14 into 
pans 28 and 30. As further shown by FIG. 1, floor 16 is configured to form 
ramps 32 to assist in removing excess paint from liquid coating applicator 
14. In the preferred embodiment, pans 28, 30 include paint metering 
mediums 38. 
Paint metering mediums 38 meter an amount of paint to liquid coating 
applicator 14. In particular, mediums 38 make available an amount of paint 
to liquid coating applicator depending upon the pressure applied to 
mediums 38 by liquid coating applicator 14. Mediums 38 preferably comprise 
resiliently compressible grids which rest upon floor 16 and which extend 
through the paint or other liquid coating so as to form a supporting 
surface above the surface of the paint or liquid coating within pans 28 
and 30. Metering mediums 38 prevent liquid coating applicator 14 from 
absorbing an excessive amount of paint. This is extremely important when 
performing a faux finishing technique. Paint metering mediums 38 are 
preferably removably positioned within pans 28 and 30 so as to enable 
mediums 38 to be removed for cleaning, replacement, or for performing 
other full finishing techniques. Although paint metering mediums 38 
preferably comprise an open resiliently compressible plastic grid, the 
paint metering mediums 38 may alternatively comprise paint absorbing foam 
or other materials or structures which may meter paint to liquid coating 
applicator 14 such as coating grids, rolled wire mesh, and the like. Other 
structures may also be used which utilize wicking or capillary action to 
meter the amount of paint made available to liquid coating applicator 14. 
Although tray 12 is illustrated as a single tray, tray 12 may have various 
structures and may include multiple components or inserts which are 
attached together to form the tray assembly having a plurality of pans or 
basins separated by a partition. For example, tray 12 may alternatively 
comprise the trays illustrated and described in co-pending application 
Ser. No. 08/966,825, filed on Nov. 10, 1997, and entitled "Faux and 
Decorative Finishing System", U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,772, the full disclosure 
of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
Liquid coating applicator 14 generally includes support 40, liquid applying 
mediums 42 and liquid applying mediums 44. Support 40 includes a handle 
portion 46 which is adapted for being grasped by the user's hand and which 
is adapted for being mounted to an extension pole or other extension 
device. Support 40 supports liquid applying mediums 42 and 44. 
Liquid applying mediums 42 and 44 are coupled to support 40 and are carried 
by support 40 during the application of liquid coating to a surface such 
as a wall. Liquid applying mediums 42 and 44 carry the liquid coating and 
release the liquid coating onto the wall or surface when placed in contact 
with the wall or surface. Liquid applying mediums 42 and 44 are 
transversely spaced from one another so as to form a slot 48 between. Slot 
48 is specifically configured to receive partitioning wall 26 such that 
liquid applying mediums 42 and 44 may be simultaneously received within 
pans 28 and 30 for being loaded with different colors of liquid coatings. 
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of system 10 taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1. 
As is shown by FIG. 2, as liquid coating applicator 14 is lowered into 
tray 12, slot 48 receives partitioning wall 26 such that liquid applying 
mediums 42 (shown in FIG. 1) and liquid applying mediums 44 extend into 
pans 28 and 30, respectively, to compress metering medium 38 below the 
surface of paint or other liquid coating 50 to load liquid applying 
mediums 42 and 44 with the liquid coating. At the same time, partitioning 
wall 26 engages liquid coating applicator 14 within slot 48 to limit and 
control the extent to which liquid applying mediums 42 and 44 and their 
liquid applicating surfaces 52 are lowered into pans 28 and 30 of tray 12. 
Consequently, this interaction between liquid coating applicator 14 and 
partitioning wall 26 further controls the amount of liquid coating loaded 
onto liquid applying mediums 42 and 44 to enable liquid coating applicator 
14 to produce a better decorative finish. 
FIG. 3 illustrates liquid coating applicator 114, an alternate embodiment 
of liquid coating applicator 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Liquid coating 
applicator 114 includes support 116 and applicator pad assembly 118. 
Support 116 generally includes an attachment portion 120 and a handle 
portion 122. Attachment portion 120 is pivotally coupled to handle portion 
122 and is configured for being removably coupled to pad assembly 118. In 
the exemplary embodiment, attachment portion 120 includes tabs or flanges 
123 adapted for being slidably received within corresponding channels 124 
of pad assembly 118. Attachment portion 120 additionally includes a 
resiliently biased latch 126 which is configured to extend through a 
corresponding slot 128 in pad assembly 118. As a result, attachment 
portion 120 and support 116 securely supports and retains pad assembly 118 
in place as liquid coating applicator 114 is dabbed against or moved along 
the surface being coated. Various other mechanisms and structures may be 
used for releasibly coupling attachment portion 120 to pad assembly 118. 
Although less desirable, attachment portion 120 may alternatively be 
configured for being permanently attached to pad assembly 118. 
Handle portion 122 extends from attachment portion 120 and is configured 
for being grasped by the user's hands during use. Handle portion 122 is 
further configured for removably receiving an elongate pole or extension 
for enabling liquid coating to be applied to otherwise unreachable 
surfaces. 
Pad assembly 118 releasibly attaches to attachment portion 120 of support 
116 and generally includes base 132, substrate 134, and liquid applying 
mediums 142, 144. Base 132 comprises an elongate rigid panel with upwardly 
and inwardly turned edges 146, 148 which form channels 124. Channels 124 
are sized for receiving flanges 123 of attachment portion 120. Edge 146 
additionally includes slots 128 for receiving latch 126 of attachment 
portion 120. Slot 128 receives latch 126 to releasibly latch or lock base 
132 and pad assembly 118 to attachment portion 120. In the exemplary 
embodiment illustrated, base 132 comprises a thin sheet of metal such as 
aluminum. Moreover, base 132 should preferably form from a solvent 
resistent material. Base 132 supports substrate 134 and liquid applying 
mediums 142 and 144. 
FIGS. 4-7 illustrate substrate 134 and liquid applying mediums of pad 
assembly in greater detail. FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of pad 
assembly 118 along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3 with portions removed for purposes 
of illustration. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of assembly 118 taken along 
lines 5--5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of pad assembly 
118. Substrate 134 comprises an elongate continuous backing supporting 
both liquid applying mediums 142 and 144. Substrate 134 is preferably 
configured such that strands of material may be threaded or sewn through 
substrate 134. Substrate 134 preferably comprises a non-woven composite 
such as TY. Alternatively, substrate 134 may comprise other woven or 
non-woven sheets through which strands may be threaded. Substrate 134 is 
preferably reusable and preferably has sufficient strength so as to not 
tear in normal painting applications. 
As shown by FIGS. 4 and 5, substrate 134 is preferably affixed to base 132 
by an adhesive layer 149 which is resistent to most solvents used in 
applications that involve paint, stains, and varnishes. Substrate 134 is 
preferably bonded to base 132 by an epoxy. Alternatively, base 132 may be 
formed by a thermoplastic while substrate 134 is also formed from a 
thermoplastic material wherein base 132 and substrate 134 are both heated 
to fuse base 132 and substrate 134 together. 
As is shown by FIG. 6, liquid applying mediums 142 and 144 comprise at 
least one material strand 150 which is threaded or sewn across and through 
substrate 134. In an exemplary embodiment, liquid applying mediums 142 and 
144 are formed from a single continuous strand of material which is 
threaded through substrate 134 to form a plurality of loops extending 
approximately 1.0 inches above substrate 134. The material forming the 
strand 150 preferably comprises a multiple ply twisted yarn of rayon 
fiber. Alternatively, other natural or synthetic fabrics yarns that do not 
unravel or shed and that hold up to water and oil based paints, cleaning 
solvents, soap and glazes may be used. The filament or strand 150 
preferably has a diameter of approximately 0.25 inches. 
As best shown by FIG. 4, paint applying mediums 142 and 144 are separated 
from one another by slot 154. Slot 154 is sufficiently sized for receiving 
partitioning wall 26 of tray 12 (shown in FIG. 1) such that liquid 
applying mediums 142 and 144 are simultaneously received within pans 28 
and 30 to compress metering medium 38 and to absorb different colors of 
liquid coatings contained on the sides of partitioning wall 26. In the 
exemplary embodiment illustrated, slots 154 are the width of approximately 
0.5 inches. Base 132 and substrate 134 each have the width of 
approximately 3.5 inches and the length of approximately 8.25 inches. 
Liquid applying mediums 142 and 144 each have the width of about 3.25 
inches and a length of about 3.75 inches. Base 132 and substrate 134 
extend approximately 0.125 inches beyond each outer edge of liquid 
applying mediums 142 and 144. Each liquid applying medium 142 and 144 
includes approximately 15 equidistantly spaced rows of stitched strands 
150 extending parallel to one another between front edge 156 and rear edge 
158. 
To form slot 154, strand 150 is first sewn to substrate 134 in rows across 
the first portion 160 of substrate 134. A second plurality of rows of 
strands 150 is then sewed along a second area or portion 162 of substrate 
134. The remaining intermediate area or portion 164 of substrate 134 
remains free of liquid applying mediums 142 or 144 to define slot 154. 
Because slot 154 is formed by simply not threading or stitching strand or 
strands 150 to intermediate portion 164 of substrate 134, strands 150 do 
not need to be severed or sheared from substrate 134 to form slot 154. As 
a result, strands 150 do not unravel or unthread along the edge of slot 
154. Furthermore, the edges of liquid applying mediums 142 and 144 do not 
need to be serge or sewn to prevent unraveling. As a result, manufacture 
of substrate 134 and liquid applying mediums 142 and 144 is simpler and 
less expensive. In addition, substrate 134 and liquid applying mediums 142 
and 144 may be formed with less material waste. Yet another advantage 
associated with the method of forming substrate 134 and liquid applying 
mediums 142 and 144 is that fewer pieces or parts are involved which 
enables simpler handling and simpler assembly of pad assembly 118. Instead 
of having two separate pieces or pieces of substrate which support liquid 
applying mediums 142 and 144 then which must be separately mounted to base 
132, liquid applying mediums 142 and 144 are supported by a single 
continuous substrate 134 which can be more easily handled and more easily 
assembled to base 132. In addition, the width of slot 154 may be more 
precisely controlled. 
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate alternative methods for forming spaced liquid 
applying mediums 142 and 144 upon substrate 134. According to the method 
shown on FIG. 7, substrate 134 is provided as a single sheet upon which 
material strands 150 are sewn to provide liquid applying mediums 142 and 
144 for a plurality of pad assemblies 118. As best shown by FIG. 7, 
strands 150 are sewn through substrate 134 at a plurality of spaced, 
generally rectangular sections 168. Adjacent pairs of liquid applying 
mediums 142 and 144 are then severed from the remaining sheet of substrate 
134 along cut lines 170 and 172. Because cut lines 170 and 172 extend 
between sections 168, cut lines 170 and 172 do not sever material strands 
150. As a result, material strands 150 do not unravel. Moreover, the edges 
of substrate 134 supporting liquid applying mediums 142 and 144 do not 
need to be serged to prevent unraveling. 
FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative method of forming liquid applying mediums 
142 and 144 upon substrate 134. According to the method illustrated in 
FIG. 8, strands 150 are sewn in continuous parallel rows in the directions 
indicated by arrows 180 along substrate 134. Substrate 134 is then cut 
along cut lines 182 between the rows while substrate 134 is further cut 
along cut lines 184 across the rows to form an individual substrate 134 
supporting two spaced liquid applying mediums 142 and 144. Because cut 
lines 184 extend through material strands 150, opposing edges 186 and 188 
along cut lines 184 must be serged or sewn to prevent unraveling of 
material strands 150. 
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of pad assembly 218, an alternate embodiment of 
pad assembly 118. Similar to pad assembly 118, pad assembly 218 is 
configured for use with support 116. Pad assembly 218 generally includes 
base 232 and liquid applying mediums 242 and 244. Base 232 is identical to 
base 132 except that base 232 supports liquid applying mediums 242 and 
244. 
Liquid applying mediums 242 and 244 comprise individual pieces of open 
celled sponge, which are affixed, preferably by adhesive, to base 232. 
Liquid applying mediums 242 and 244 are preferably affixed to base 232 by 
a solvent resistent adhesive, such as epoxy. Liquid applying mediums 242 
and 244 are affixed to base 232 at spaced locations so as to form slot 
254. Slot 254 is configured for receiving partitioning wall 26 of tray 12 
(shown in FIG. 1). As a result, liquid applying mediums 242 and 244 may be 
simultaneously lowered into and received by pans 28 and 30 containing 
different colors of liquid coatings. As will be appreciated, the exact 
configuration of slot 254 will vary depending upon the dimensions of the 
partitioning wall utilized in tray 12. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate liquid coating applicator 314, an alternate 
embodiment of liquid coating applicator 114. Liquid coating applicator 314 
includes support 316 and liquid applying mediums 342 and 344. Support 316 
is affixed to liquid applying mediums 342 and 344 and is configured for 
being grasped by a user's hand for manipulation of applicator 314. 
Alternatively, support 316 may be configured for releasibly receiving an 
extension pole or other extension device. 
Liquid applying mediums 342 and 344 each comprise a cluster a upstanding 
elongate bristles 350. Bristles 350 carry liquid coating such as paint 
between the ends. Bristles 350 have a sufficient rigidity for being dabbed 
or stippled against a surface to produce a decorative effect. 
Liquid applying mediums 342 and 344 are spaced from one another by an 
intervening channel or slot 354. Slot 354 is configured to receive 
partitioning wall 26 of tray 12 (shown in FIG. 1). As a result, each 
cluster of bristles providing liquid applying mediums 342 and 344 may be 
simultaneously lowered into adjacent but separated pans 28 and 30 to load 
mediums 342 and 344 with different colors of paints. These different 
colored liquids or paints will then be dabbed against a surface and 
overlapped to create a desired stippled decorative effect on the surface. 
Although the present invention has been described with reference to 
preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that 
changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit 
and scope of the invention. The present invention described with reference 
to the preferred embodiments and set forth in the following claims is 
manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless 
specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular 
element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.