LINE MARKING APPLICATORS

Abstract: A line marking applicator (10) wherein a holder (14), to hold an aerosol (18) containing line marking fluid and having a spray nozzle (22) with a normally closed valve, a supporter, preferably a pair of wheels (24, 26), to support the applicator in use to contact and readily move over a ground or surface (68) upon which a line (72) is to be sprayed and a actuator (14) to operate the aerosol nozzle and means (24, 26) to define the width of sprayed line are constituted by a disposable line marking head (12).

Description: LINE MARKING APPLICATORS This invention relates to wheeled applicators for line marking on surfaces such as roads, car parks, factory floors and playing areas including gymnasium floors, basket ball courts, artificial ly-turfed and naturally-turfed playing fields and the like. Our European Patent Specification No. 0 678 624 A2 discloses a line marking applicator comprising a frame having an axle on which is journalled a pair of surface contacting wheels and a mounting for a marker fluid aerosol positioned on the frame so that, when fitted with an aerosol and in use. marker fluid can be sprayed between the wheels onto a surface, the width of the sprayed line being defined by the spacing between the wheels, each of the wheels having an integral inner surface extending continuously from the axle to a rim having a smaller diameter than that of the wheel rim and which is axially inwardly offset from the wheel rim to provide a circumferential groove: preferably each wheel is provided with a tyre, the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the inner surface rim and which is axially offset from the inner surface rim to form the peripheral groove. Patent Specifications GB 2.288.619 A (Rocol Limited); GB 2,164,983 A (Sharpliner Limited (United Kingdom)); GB 2.1 1 1.568 A (Texalon International Limited); GB 1,456,411 ( Rocol Limited) and GB 1,448.634 (T J Smrt) all disclose line marking applicators of this type to be handtools clearly constructed to be re-used many times, that is one applicator would be used time and time again with a large number of different aerosols; hereinafter referred to as "high volume use". The applicators are largely formed from metal and, for example, in any line marking apparatus the width defining means, such as the above referred integral inner wheel surfaces, must act to prevent "over-sprayed" line marking fluid from running onto the surface and blurring the edge of the sprayed line. Usually, the width defining wheels are of a large enough diameter that over-sprayed line marking fluid dries sufficiently in a revolution so as not to run or drip. After operation of high volume use line marking apparatus, the dried over-sprayed marking fluid either has to be removed from the width defining means or the apparatus has to be so designed that dried marking fluid does not accumulate in areas affecting width defining performance. In addition, a significant propoπion of line marking applicator users only need to mark a relatively shoπ length of line, hereinafter referred to as "low volume users", such that the "line length" of a typicai aerosol of line marking fluid, spraying approximately 75-1 10 metres of 55mm wide line, would suffice. The cost of extant high volume use line marking applicators is too high for such low volume users. It is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable line marking applicator for iow volume use. With such applicators the problem of build up of dried marking fluid either does not arise or is not significant. Additionally, the applicator does not need to be constructed as nearly as robustly as extant line marking applicators; enabling the applicator to be readily produced from inexpensive materials. According to one aspect of the present invention, a line marking applicator comprises a line marking head to engage an aerosol, the aerosol containing marking fluid and having a spray nozzie with a normally closed valve, and the line marking head comprising a supporter to support the applicator in use to be contact with and readily moveable over a ground or surface upon which a line is to be sprayed, an actuator to operate the aerosol nozzle and means to define the width of sprayed line, wherein the holder, the supporter and the nozzle actuator constitute a disposable line marking head. By "disposable" is meant the construction of the line marker head components and the materials from which they are made are designed and chosen to be just sufficient for the use of a single aerosol. "Disposable ' ' has the meaning:- 1. designed for disposal after use: disposable cups. 2. available for use if needed: disposable assets. 3. something, such as a baby ' s nappy, that is designed for disposal. 4. (pi. ) short for disposable goods, and "disposable goods" the meaning:- consumer goods that are used up a short time after purchase, including perishables. newspapers, clothes, etc. ( see Collins Electronic English dictionary & thesaurus 1992 Ver. 1.5). This low volume use can readily be distinguished from the high volume use line marking apparatus disclosed in the above referred prior art patent specifications: wherein the concept of low volume use. disposable line marking apparatus is nowhere described or even intimated. Preferably, the line marking head is adapted to engage the nozzle end of the aerosol and the aerosol may form a load bearing pan of the applicator. According to another aspect of the present invention, in a line marking aerosol containing marking fluid and having a spray nozzle with a normally closed valve: a line marking head is permanently engaged to the aerosol and comprises a supporter to support the aerosol in use to be in contact with and moveable over a ground or surface upon which a line is to be sprayed, an actuator to operate the aerosol nozzle valve and means to define the width of sprayed line. In a first embodiment of the present invention, both the supporter and the width defining means are formed by a pair of wheels journalled to the line marking head so that line marking fluid can be sprayed from the aerosol nozzle onto the ground or surface between the wheels, the separation of which defines the width of the sprayed line. No special provision has to be made for disposal/removal/accumulation of over-sprayed marking fluid as the applicator is single aerosol use and disposable so that the amount of dried marker fluid that may accumulate on the wheels inner surfaces does not materially affect sprayed line definition. The wheels may be simple rigid discs, with or without a tyre. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the line marking head is designed to engage the nozzle end of the aerosol body so as to be longitudinally movable with respect to but be retained on the aerosol and the nozzle actuator is a fixed stop in the head designed to contact the aerosol nozzle so that, in use, longitudinal pressure on the aerosol body will force the aerosol against the stop and open the nozzle valve. Reduction of longitudinal pressure will lift the aerosol nozzle in the line marking head by reaction against the nozzle stop and permit the nozzle valve to close. In a third embodiment of the present invention, the line marking head is provided with one or more parts designed to engage the aerosol body in such manner that the head is difficult to remove and reattach to another aerosol. There are several advantages in this, one is that problems with over-sprayed width defining means in line definition that would occur if an applicator in accordance the present invention were to be reused is obviated, mother is that the applicator could not be reused with the wrong aerosol, a further advantage is that the fit between Ime marking head ana aerosol body can be optimised Indeed, the surprising result of a line marking applicator in accordance with the present invention and having a line marking head engaged with the nozzle end of the aerosol is that a sprayed line having significantly better edge definition is obtained than heretotore obtained with any extant line marking applicator known to the Applicant. It is thought that this is due to the geometry of spray nozzle position (with the nozzle valve open) with respect to the width defining wheels and the surface upon which the line is to be sprayed being more accurately controlled. A handle may be attached to the other (non-nozzle) end of the aerosol to make the applicator easiei to use. The line applicator may be designed to fit extant aerosols or it may prove practical to design aerosols especially for low volume use. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol has a spring-loaded, normally closed valve and the line marking head is formed as a single integral unit, preferably a plastic moulding, one pan of which is a non-release, snap-fit on the nozzle end of the aerosol and has a clearance tor the spray nozzle and a second part ot which is shaped to be a stop engageable with the spray nozzle, to provide a clearance path tor marker fluid when sprayed from the nozzle, and to carry a pair of surface-contacting, line-width defining wheels: the two parts being joined to one another by a resilient hinge so that so that the two parts can move relative to one another whereby, in use. longitudinal pressure on the aerosol will cause said one part to move towards said second part such that the spray nozzle will bear agamst said second part to actuate and open the nozzle valve to thereby spray marker fluid down onto the surface between the wheels, release of longitudinal pressure on the aerosol will enable the nozzle valve spring and/or the resilient hinge to move the two parts apart and allow the nozzle valve to close The above and other features ot the present invention are illustrated, by way of example, in the Drawings: wheiein.- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a disposable line marking applicator in accordance with the present invention, fully assembled and in use: Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the applicator of Fig. 1. disassembled and prior to use; Fig. 3 is a detail, part-sectioned side elevation of the aerosol nozzle end with attached line marking head of the applicator of Fig. 1 : Fig. 4 is a similar view to that of Fig. 3. but with the aerosol axially pressed and the nozzle open and spraying marker fluid: Fig. 5 is a detail, front elevation corresponding to Fig. : Fig. 6 is a plan of a line marking head: and. Fig. 7 is a detail, part-sectioned elevation of a wheel and tyre. As shown, a disposable line marking apparatus 10 comprises a line marking head 12 having one. upper, part 14. to engage, as a non-release snap-fit, with the nozzie end 16 of an inverted conventional aerosol 18. the aerosol containing line marker fluid and having a spray nozzle 20 with a spring-loaded normally closed valve, and a second, lower, part 22 shaped to include a stop engageable with the spray nozzle 20 and with a pair of wheels 24 and 26 journalled thereon; the two parts being joined together by a resilient hinge 28 so that they may move towards and away from one another. As can be seen most clearly from Figs 3 to 6. the line marking head 1 is a plastic moulding of. e.g. polypropylene or ABS. wherein upper part 14 is generally rectangular with upstanding, curved end walls 30, each having an internal shoulder 32 shaped to abut the rim 34 of the aerosol end 16, and a central planar portion 36 having a central aperture 38 of a size to clear the spray nozzle 20 and provided with spaced, circumferentially extending, retaining collars 39 (Fig. 6) shaped to engage under the nozzie valve surround 40 as an interference, non-releasable. snap fit: retaining collars 39 are designed to resist removal of the line marking head from the aerosol 18 and make difficult replacement on another aerosol: as the engagement with the nozzle valve surround 40 requires the use of a pneumatic or hydraulic press tool. Upper part 14 is joined to lower part 22 by an integral resilient hinge 28. Lower part 22 is again a generally rectangular plate with a central aperture 44 of a size to contact the spray nozzle 20; as shown the spray nozzle protrudes through this aperture but wings 46 carried by the spray nozzle can aout the lower part 22 on either side of aperture 44. A pair of forks 48 depend from the lower part 22. with each arm of the fork terminating in an out-turned, split-ended stub shaft 50 on which a respective wheel 24. 26 is journalied as a snap-on fit. Lower part 22 also carries a pair of upstanding, snap-off stops 42 (see Fig. 2) that abut the underside of upper part 14: the stops 42 prevent the head parts from closing and opening the aerosol nozzle valve, thereby preventing accidental spray of marker fluid. The wheeis 24. 26 (see Figs 5 and 7) are of the same general type as described in our European Patent Specification No 0 678 624 A2 and are each a plastics moulding of. for example, polypropylene. ABS or polyester and have an integral inner surface 52 extending continuously from the stub axle 50 to a nm 54. that has a smaller diameter than that of the wheel rim 56 and which is axially inwardly offset from the wheel rim to provide a circumferential groove 58. Each wheel is provided with a tyre 60, the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the inner surface rim and which is axially offset from the inner surface rim to form the peripheral groove 58. The tyres 60 are moulded with a tread pattern 62 so that the wheeis do not slip when the applicator 10 is being used to line a smooth surface. A handle 64 is also provided and is another plastic moulding, this time designed as a releasable snap-fit on to the other, top end 66 of the aerosol 18. The applicator is sold in two separate components (see Fig. 2). comprising the line marking head attached to an aerosol and the handle, so that it can be contained in a pack of covenient size. In use, the handle 64 will be snapped onto the aerosol to end 66, the stops 42 are snapped off and longitudinal pressure (in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4) will force the applicator 10 down against the wheels 24. 25: the line marking head hinge 28 resiliently yields to permit the spray nozzle wings to abut the line marking head lower part and open the nozzle valve. The applicator can then be wheeled along a surface 68 with a conical spray 70 of marker fluid emerging from the spray nozzle 20 to leave a line 72 on the surface (see Figs 1 and 4). The width of the line is defined by the separation between the two wheels 24. 26: the spray pattern intercepting the wheel inner surfaces 52 with over- ≤prayed marker fluid continuously being earned away from the surface 68 as the wheels rotate, to leave a clearly defined, straight edged line 72. Release of longitudinal pressure wiil enable the two pans 14. 22 of the line marking head to separate, freeing the spray nozzle and permitting the aerosol nozzle valve to close. The wheel forks 48 of the line marker head 12 leave a clear, dripless spray path and. as previously stated results in a very good definition of sprayed line 72; significantly beπer than conventional line marking appliances having width defining wheels on a common axle. The handle is curved between its end attached to the aerosol end 66 and its hand grip 7 4 so that longitudinal pressure, in use. is naturally directed behind the contact between the wheels 24. 26 and the ground 68; this ensures that the applicator will roll smoothly over the ground without tending to stop when the applicator wheels meet an obstruction and thus spoil the evenness of the sprayed line. The applicator can be used repeatedly until the supply of marker fluid in the aerosol has been exhausted. The applicator is then finished with and can be disposed of; the plastic handle being unsnapped and recycled and the line marking head being broken off the aerosol for separate recycling.

Claims: CLALMS:- ; . A line marking applicator comprising a holder to hold an aerosol, the aerosol containing line maπ ing fluid and having a spray nozzle with a normally closed \ alve. a supporter to support the applicator in use to contact and readily move over a ground or surface upon which a line is to be sprayed, an actuator to operate the aerosol nozzle ana means to define the width of sprayed line; characterised in that the holder ( 14). the supporter (24. 26) and the nozzle actuator (22) constitute a disposable line marking head ( 12). 2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1. and further characterised in that the line marking head ( 12 is adapted to engage the nozzie end (16) of the aerosol ( 18). 3. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 or 2. and further characterised in that the aerosol ( 18) forms a load bearing part of the applicator (10). 4. A line marking aerosol containing marking fluid and having a spray nozzle with a normally closed valve; characterised tn that a line marking head (12) is permanently engaged to the aerosol (18) and comprises a supporter (24, 26) to support the aerosol in use to be in contact with and readily moveable over a ground or surface (68) upon which a line (72) is to be sprayed, an actuator (22) to operate the aerosol nozzie valve (20) and means (24. 26) to define the width of sprayed line. 5. An applicator as claimed in any of claims I, 2 or 3 or an aerosol as claimed in claim 4, and further characterised in that both the supporter and the width defining means are formed by a pair of wheels (24. 26) journalled to the line marking head (12) so that line marking fluid (70) can be sprayed from the aerosol nozzle (20) onto the ground or surface (68) between the wheels, the separation of which defines the width of the sprayed line ( 72). 6. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1, 2. 3 or 5 or an aerosol as claimed in any of claims 4 or 5. and further characterised in that the line marking head (12) is designed to engage the nozzle end ( 16) of the aerosol body (40) so as to be longitudinally movable with respect to but be retained on the aerosol (18) and the nozzle actuator is a fixed stop (22) in the head designed to contact the aerosol nozzie (20) so that, in use. longitudinal pressure on the aerosol body will force the aerosol against the stop and open the nozzle valve. ~. An applicator as claimed in any of claims i . 2. 3. 5 or 6 or an aerosol as claimed in any of claims 4. 5 or 6. and further characterised in that the line marking head ( 12) is provided with one or more parts (39) designed to engage the aerosol body (40) in such manner that the head is difficult to remove and reattach to another aerosol ( 18). 8. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 , 2. 3, 5, 6 or 7 or an aerosol as claimed in any of claims 4. 5. 6 or 7. and further characterised in that a handle (64) is detachably attachable to the other (non-nozzle) end (66) of the aerosol (18). 9. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 , 2, 3. 5, 6, 7 or 8 or an aerosol as claimed in any of claims 4. 5, 6. 7 or 8, and further characterised in that the aerosol has a spring-loaded, normally closed nozzle valve and the line marking head (12) and the nozzle actuator (22) are formed as a single integral unit, preferably a plastic moulding, one part ( 14) of which is a non-release, snap-fit on the nozzle end (16) of the aerosol ( 18) and has a clearance for the spray nozzle (20) and a second part (22) of which is shaped to be engageable with the spray nozzle, to provide a clearance path for marker fluid when sprayed from the nozzle, and to carry a pair of surface-contacting, line-width defining wheels (24, 26); the two parts being joined to one another by a resilient hinge (28) so that the two parts can move relative to one another whereby, in use. longitudinal pressure on the aerosol will cause said one part to move towards said second part such that the spray nozzle will bear against said second part to actuate and open the nozzle valve to thereby spray marker fluid (70) between the wheels down onto a surface (68), release of pressure on the aerosol will enable the nozzle valve spring and/or the resilient hinge to move the two parts apart and allow the nozzle valve to close. ■ A). A line marking applicator or an aerosol as claimed in any of claims 5 to 9. and further characterised in that the line marking head (12) has a removable stop (42) to prevent accidental opening of the nozzie valve. ! 1 . A iine marking applicator or an aerosol as claimed in claims 9 and 10. and further characterised in that lower part (22) of the line marking head ( 12) carries a pair of upstanding, snap-off stops (42) that abut the underside of upper pan ( 14); the stops 42 prevent the nead pans from closing and thereby opening the aerosol nozzle valve. 12. A line marking applicator or an aerosol as claimed in any of claims 5 to 1 1. and further characterised in that the line marking head ( 12) does not have any structure in or near the path (70) of marker fluid when sprayed from the nozzle (20) save for the opposed inner surfaces (52) of the width defining wheeis (24. 26).

Inventors: CHAPMAN STEPHEN, EDWARDS RICHARD, HARES BARRINGTON, PEACH ROGER JOHN, RIPLEY CATHERINE J, CHAPMAN, STEPHEN, EDWARDS, RICHARD, HARES, BARRINGTON, PEACH, ROGER, JOHN, RIPLEY, CATHERINE, J.
Applicants: CHAPMAN STEPHEN, EDWARDS RICHARD, HARES BARRINGTON, PEACH ROGER JOHN, RIPLEY CATHERINE J, ROCOL GROUP LTD, CHAPMAN, STEPHEN, EDWARDS, RICHARD, HARES, BARRINGTON, PEACH, ROGER, JOHN, RIPLEY, CATHERINE, J., ROCOL GROUP LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E01C23
IPC codes: B65D83, E01C23