Patent Publication Number: US-2021162438-A1

Title: Spray gun kit, associated method of use and gun

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority of French Patent Application No. 19 13481, filed on Nov. 29, 2019. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a kit able to pressurize a fluid from a reservoir of a cup of a spray gun. 
     The present invention further relates to a method for using the kit for a spray gun and a gun including such a kit. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The product is usually added into a cup gun by suction or by gravity, in particular by Venturi effect. In the case of a relatively viscous product, the cup can be pressurized. 
     Usually, a compressed air compressor is used to pressurize the fluid. The characteristics of the compressed air compressor are chosen based on the flow rate and pressure provided for the spray gun, in order to allow an optimal adaptation of the gun based on the fluid to be applied. 
     An additional pipe is thus provided between the body of the gun and the cup in order to pressurize the cup. A piercing is provided in the body of the gun to allow the connection of the additional pipe. However, this requires a dedicated gun having said piercing. In particular, such a gun is not adaptable for use with gravity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
     One aim of the invention is therefore to propose a kit for a spray gun able to pressurize a fluid of a reservoir of a cup of a spray gun, which is simple and practical to use. 
     Such a kit further makes it possible to adapt a spray gun for pressurized use without requiring piercing on the body of the gun. 
     To that end, the invention relates to a kit for a spray gun including:
         a sleeve delimiting an inner volume, the inner volume being provided to contain a pressurized fluid, the sleeve being configured to be connected to a main body of a spray gun,       

     the sleeve having a radial periphery, 
     the sleeve being provided with at least one orifice, the or each orifice emerging on the radial periphery and fluidly connecting the inner volume and the radial periphery, the radial periphery delimiting a fluid outlet of the sleeve,
         a connector having an intake end and a connecting end, the intake end being connected to the fluid outlet of the sleeve, the connecting end being suitable for being connected to a cup so as to fluidly connect the cup to the inner volume of the sleeve,   a ring surrounding the sleeve, the ring covering the fluid outlet on the radial periphery outside the intake end of the connector.       

     The connector then makes it possible to recover the pressure, at least partial, of a fluid in the location of the spray gun to pressurize the fluid included in the reservoir of a cup. 
     The kit for a spray gun may further have one or more of the features below, considered individually or according to any technical possible combination(s):
         the or each orifice passes through the sleeve along a respective axis, the respective axis of the or each orifice forming, with the main extension axis of the sleeve, an angle inclusively between 30° and 90°, more particularly between 45° and 75°;   the kit includes a regulator able to control the pressure or the flow rate of fluid passing through the intake end;   the sleeve and/or the ring have a recess at the radial periphery, the or each orifice emerging in the recess;   the recess is at least partially hollowed in the sleeve, the recess forming the fluid outlet from the sleeve; and/or   the ring and/or the sleeve are provided with O-rings located on either side of the recess.       

     The invention further relates to a method for using a kit for a spray gun as previously described, including the following steps:
         providing a kit for a spray gun as previously described,   providing a spray gun including a main body defining an open chamber and a cup defining a reservoir,   fastening the sleeve on the main body such that the open chamber and the inner volume of the sleeve together define a single volume, and   connecting the connecting end to the cup, so as to fluidly connect the inner volume of the sleeve to the reservoir of the cup.       

     The invention also relates to a spray gun including a main body, a cup and a kit for a spray gun as previously described, wherein the sleeve is connected to an open chamber of the main body, such that the open chamber and the inner volume of the sleeve together define a single volume, the cup defining a reservoir, the connecting end being connected to the cup, the inner volume of the sleeve being fluidly connected to the reservoir of the cup by the connector. 
     The spray gun may further have one or more of the features below, considered individually or according to any technical possible combination(s):
         the gun includes a needle extending partially in the open chamber, the sleeve surrounding the needle, the inner volume of the sleeve being defined between the needle and the sleeve;   the open chamber is fluidly connected to a pressurized fluid inlet orifice;   the ring has at least one indexing element, the main body having at least one complementary indexing element provided to cooperate with the at least one indexing element to block the ring in at least one given position relative to the main body; and/or   the ring rotates freely about a main axis around the sleeve, the given position of the ring corresponding to an angular position of the ring about the main axis.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, solely as an example and done in reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are respectively a perspective view and a sectional view of a spray gun including a kit able to pressurize a fluid of the reservoir of the cup according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the kit surrounding a needle of the spray gun of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a ring and a sleeve of a kit of the invention according to a second embodiment, without regulator, surrounding a needle; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a kit surrounding a needle of the spray gun according to a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A spray gun  10  according to a first embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Spray gun  10  is intended to spray a fluid product. 
     The fluid product preferably has a viscosity inclusively between 0.1 mPa·s and 100,000 mPa·s, more particularly between 1 and 1000 mPa·s. 
     Spray gun  10  includes a main body  12 , a cup  14  and a kit for a spray gun  16 . 
     Main body  12  has a first part  18 , hereinafter called “barrel”, comparable to the barrel of a gun, and a second part  20 , hereinafter called “stock”, comparable to the stock of a gun. In the illustrated example, body  12  also includes a third part  22 , hereinafter called “breech”, comparable to the breech of a gun. 
     Barrel  18  has a front end  24  that defines the front end of body  12 . 
     Stock  20  extends from a rear end  26  of barrel  18 . 
     Stock  20  here extends perpendicular to barrel  18 . 
     Stock  20  has a distal end  28  opposite barrel  18 . In other words, distal end  28  constitutes the end of stock  20  furthest from barrel  18 . 
     Stock  20  forms a gripping handle of gun  10  by an operator. 
     Breech  22  extends from rear end  26  of barrel  18  in the extension of barrel  18 . 
     Breech  22  defines a cavity  30  with stock  20  and barrel  18 . 
     Body  12  defines an inlet orifice  32  for pressurized fluid, a supply orifice  33  for supplying gun  10  with a fluid product and a discharge orifice  34  for discharging the fluid product from gun  10 . 
     Body  12  includes an inner duct  36  fluidly connecting pressurized fluid inlet orifice  32  to cavity  30 . 
     Body  12  includes a supply duct  37  fluidly connecting supply orifice  33  to discharge orifice  34 . 
     The pressurized fluid inlet orifice  32  is suitable for connecting a supply member (not shown) supplying gun  10  with a pressurized fluid, this supply member typically being made up of a flexible tube. 
     The pressurized fluid is for example air. 
     The pressurized fluid has a pressure greater than 200,000 hPa. 
     The pressurized fluid has a pressure less than 1,000,000 hPa. 
     The pressurized fluid inlet orifice  32  here is formed at distal end  28  of stock  20 . 
     Supply orifice  33  is suitable for connecting a supply member for supplying gun  10  with a fluid product. 
     This supply member of the gun here is cup  14  including a reservoir  15  containing or able to contain the fluid product. 
     Cup  14  is connected to the second supply orifice by a connecting member. 
     The connecting member here includes a first end fitted in supply orifice  33  and a second end fitted in reservoir  15 . 
     The fluid product is for example paint. 
     Supply orifice  33  here is delimited on barrel  18  of the gun. 
     Cup  14  extends above barrel  18 , i.e., on an opposite side of barrel  18  relative to stock  20 . 
     In an alternative embodiment that is not shown, cup  14  extends below barrel  18 , i.e., on the same side of barrel  18  as stock  20 . 
     Discharge orifice  34  is arranged in front end  24  of barrel  18 . 
     Here, discharge orifice  34  is suitable for mounting a nozzle  38  for shaping the fluid product at the outlet of spray gun  10 . 
     Inner duct  36  is housed in stock  20 . 
     In the illustrated example, spray gun  10  includes a device for regulating the flow rate of the pressurized fluid in inner duct  36 . 
     More specifically, spray gun  10  includes a needle  44  arranged in inner duct  36 . 
     Inner duct  36 , for example, includes a distal portion, here rectilinear, and a proximal portion, here rectilinear, inlet orifice  32  for pressurized fluid being arranged at the distal portion. 
     Needle  44  extends in the continuation of the proximal portion. 
     Needle  44  includes a closure member at the interface between the distal portion and the proximal portion and is able to regulate the flow rate of the pressurized fluid passing from the distal portion to the proximal portion. More specifically, the closure member is translatable to adjust the passage surface between the distal portion and the proximal portion. 
     Body  12  further has an actuating duct  42  from cavity  30  to discharge orifice  34 . 
     In the illustrated example, actuating duct  42  extends along a main extension axis, here corresponding to the extension axis of barrel  18  and breech  22 . 
     Actuating duct  42  defines a chamber  46  upstream of the discharge orifice  34 . 
     Chamber  46  is provided with a seat  47  at the junction between chamber  46  and supply duct  37 . 
     Seat  47  in particular has a shape flared toward chamber  46 . 
     Actuating duct  42  has a narrowing  49  between cavity  30  and chamber  46 , i.e., a portion in which the diameter of actuating duct  42  is strictly smaller than that of chamber  46  and that of cavity  30 , the diameter being taken radially relative to the extension direction of duct  42 . 
     Spray gun  10  includes an actuating system  48 , actuating system  48  here being arranged in actuating duct  42 . 
     Actuating system  48  includes a closure member  50  that is movable relative to body  12  between a released position of supply duct  37 , in which it allows the circulation of the fluid product between supply orifice  33  and discharge orifice  34 , and a closed-off position of supply duct  37 , in which it opposes circulation of fluid product between supply orifice  33  and discharge orifice  34 . 
     Closure member  50  is in particular translatable relative to body  12  between its released and closed off positions along the extension direction of actuating duct  42 . 
     Closure member  50  includes a rod  52  extending in actuating duct  42 , and a head  54  extending in chamber  46 . 
     Supply duct  37  emerges at the inlet of chamber  46  opposite discharge orifice  34 , upstream of head  54  of closure member  50 . 
     Rod  52  has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of narrowing  49  of actuating duct  42 . 
     Closure member  50  forms a needle that bears against seat  47  when closure member  50  is in its closed-off position, and is separated from seat  47  when closure member  50  is in its released position. This offers great flexibility in the adjustment of the outlet flow rate of the fluid product coming from supply orifice  33  based on movement of closure member  50  between its closed-off and released positions. 
     Actuating system  48  further includes a member  54  for returning closure member  50  toward its closed-off position. This return member  54  here is formed by a compression spring oriented in the extension direction of breech  22 , and compressed between, on the one hand, a bottom of breech  22  and, on the other hand, a stop secured to closure member  50 . 
     Spray gun  10  includes a trigger  58  provided to activate actuating system  48  in the released position. 
     Trigger  58  includes a main branch  59  and two flanges  60 . 
     Main branch  59  defines a gripping surface intended to receive at least one finger of an operator holding stock  20  in his palm. 
     Flanges  60  are spaced apart from one another and each extend upward from a respective lateral edge of main branch  59 . Flanges  60  sandwich body  12 , and more particularly barrel  18 . 
     Trigger  58  is mounted pivoting about a transverse pivot axis A-A′, relative to body  12 , this pivot axis A-A′ being, in the illustrated example, above barrel  18 . 
     To that end, flanges  60  of trigger  58  are passed through by a common shaft  61  engaged through body  12 . Common shaft  61  extends along pivot axis A-A′. 
     Common shaft  61  forms a pivot link between trigger  58  and body  12  such that trigger  58  is rotatable about pivot axis A-A′ relative to body  12  between an actuated position, in which trigger  58  is moved toward stock  20  and closure member  50  is in its released position, and a priming position, in which trigger  58  is separated from stock  20  and closure member  50  is in its closed off position. 
     Body  12  further has a pressurized fluid passage duct. 
     The pressurized fluid passage duct includes a chamber  62 . 
     Chamber  62  has a pressurized fluid outlet  63 . 
     Outlet  63  here is delimited in front of chamber  62 . 
     Outlet  63  is fluidly connected to at least one, here two, outlets  92  arranged at the discharge for the fluid product from the spray gun, for example, by an intermediate duct  90  and/or an intermediate chamber  91 . 
     The intermediate duct here surrounds supply duct  37  and the intermediate chamber surrounds chamber  46  of actuating duct  42 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, chamber  62  has a secondary outlet through at least one duct, here a plurality of ducts  93 , arranged in a central portion of chamber  62 . The secondary outlet is fluidly connected to at least one orifice  96  arranged at front end  24  of the barrel, for example, via one or several chambers  94 ,  95  surrounding chamber  46  of the actuating duct  42 . 
     Chamber  62  is further fluidly connected to cavity  30 , and thus to pressurized fluid inlet orifice  32 . 
     Chamber  62  has an opening opposite its outlet  63  in an extension direction D of the chamber. 
     Kit  16  includes a sleeve  64 , a connector  66  and a ring  68 . 
     Sleeve  64  is, for example, in the general shape of a hollow cylinder. 
     Sleeve  64  extends along a main extension axis between a distal end and a proximal end. 
     Sleeve  64  delimits an inner volume  70 , the inner volume being provided to contain a fluid. 
     Sleeve  64  has an outer circumferential surface  72 , forming a radial periphery of sleeve  64 , and an inner circumferential surface  74  delimiting inner volume  70 . 
     Sleeve  64  includes a fluid outlet on its outer circumferential surface  72  as described hereinafter. 
     Outer circumferential surface  72  has a recess  73  on the circumference of sleeve  64 , here a cylindrical recess. 
     Recess  73  is spaced apart from each of the distal and proximal ends of sleeve  64 . 
     Inner circumferential surface  74  has a counterbore  75 , here cylindrical. Counterbore  75  extends over part of inner circumferential surface  74  from the proximal end of sleeve  64 . 
     Sleeve  64  delimits at least one orifice  76 . 
     The or each orifice  76  passes through the wall of sleeve  64 . 
     The or each orifice  76  emerges on radial periphery  72  and fluidly connects inner volume  70  and radial periphery  72 . 
     The or each orifice  76  passes through sleeve  64  from outer circumferential surface  72  to inner circumferential surface  74 . 
     More particularly, the or each orifice  76  fluidly connects recess  73  of outer circumferential surface  72  and counterbore  75  of inner circumferential surface  74 . 
     Recess  73  here defines the fluid outlet of sleeve  64 , here from inner volume  70 . 
     Alternatively, in the absence of a recess, the fluid outlet of sleeve  64  is, for example, defined by the or each orifice  76  emerging in outer circumferential surface  72 . 
     In the illustrated example, sleeve  64  delimits one or several orifices  76  distributed over the circumference of sleeve  64 . 
     Each orifice  76  passes through sleeve  64  along a respective axis. The respective axis of each orifice  76  forms, with the main extension axis of sleeve  64 , an angle inclusively between 30° and 90°, more particularly between 45° and 75°. 
     Orifices  76  here are more particularly distributed such that their respective axes are located on a same cone having, as generator, the main extension axis of sleeve  64 . 
     Sleeve  64  is configured to be connected to main body  12 . 
     More particularly, sleeve  64  here is connected to an open chamber of the main body, here chamber  62  of the pressurized fluid passage duct, such that the open chamber and the inner volume of the sleeve together define a single common volume. 
     The main extension axis of sleeve  64  extends along extension direction D of chamber  62 . 
     More particularly, the proximal end of sleeve  64  is inserted into the opening of chamber  62  of the pressurized fluid passage duct. 
     The opening, for example, has a thread and a part of outer circumferential surface  72  of sleeve  64  has a complementary tapping from the proximal end of sleeve  64 . 
     Spray gun  10  further has a needle  78  arranged in the inner volume of sleeve  64  and in open chamber  62 , needle  78  being able to regulate the fluid passage between chamber  62  of the pressurized fluid passage duct and intermediate duct  90 . 
     Needle  78  includes a closure member translatable in chamber  62  arranged to adjust the passage surface of outlet  63  of chamber  62 . 
     Needle  78  cooperates with inner circumferential surface  74  of sleeve  64 . Sleeve  64 , for example, has a tapping on part of the inner circumferential surface  74  from the distal end, the needle having a complementary thread. 
     Needle  78  here occupies entire inner volume  70  of sleeve  64  with the exception of the volume defined by counterbore  75 . 
     The pressurized fluid passage duct thus makes it possible to selectively insert pressurized fluid from pressurized fluid inlet orifice  32  toward outlet(s)  92  arranged at the discharge for the fluid product from the spray gun. 
     Connector  66  has an intake end  80  and a connecting end  82 . 
     Connector  66  here includes a pipe extending between intake end  80  and connecting end  82 . 
     Intake end  80  is directly connected to the fluid outlet of sleeve  64  on its radial periphery. 
     Connecting end  82  here is connected to cup  14  so as to fluidly connect cup  14 , more particularly, reservoir  15 , to the air outlet of sleeve  64 . 
     Connector  66  is advantageously provided with a regulator  84  able to control the fluid pressure passing through intake end  80 . 
     Regulator  84 , for example, makes it possible to adjust the fluid passage such that the pressure of the fluid is inclusively between 0 and 6 bars. 
     Alternatively, regulator  84  is able to control the fluid flow rate passing through intake end  80 . 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , regulator  84  is screwed directly at the outlet of ring  68 . 
     Ring  68  surrounds sleeve  64 . 
     Ring  68  covers the entire fluid outlet of sleeve  64  on the radial periphery, more particularly here recess  73 , with the exception of the connection of intake end  80  of connector  66 . 
     More particularly, ring  68  includes a cylindrical portion surrounding sleeve  64  at least around the fluid outlet of sleeve  64 . The cylindrical portion includes a radial orifice for passage of intake end  80  of connector  66 . 
     Ring  68  and/or sleeve  64  is provided with O-rings  86  located on either side of recess  73 . 
     This, in particular, makes it possible to guarantee tightness between main body  12  and connector  66  via ring  68 . 
     Such a kit makes it possible to withdraw pressurized fluid selectively in order to pressurize the fluid product contained in cup  14 . 
     Fluid product  14  is, for example, placed under a pressure inclusively between 0 and 6 bars. 
     Ring  68  here further rotates freely about the main extension axis of sleeve  64  at least over a given angular interval. 
     The given angular interval is for example substantially equal to 180°. 
     Alternatively, the given angular interval is equal to 360°. 
     Ring  68  here rotates freely between a right position and a left position. 
     In the right position, intake end  80  of connector  66  is connected to sleeve  64  to the right of main body  12 , more particularly, the pressurized fluid passage duct, relative to a user of the gun. 
     The tap of regulator  84  of connector  66  is then easily accessible from the right, in particular by the right hand of the user. 
     In the left position, visible in  FIG. 1 , intake end  80  of connector  66  is connected to sleeve  64  to the left of main body  12 , more particularly, the pressurized fluid passage duct, relative to a user of the gun. 
     The tap of regulator  84  of connector  66  is then easily accessible from the right, in particular by the left hand of the gun. 
     This in particular makes it possible to adapt the spray gun, and more particularly the kit, to use by a right-handed person or a left-handed person. 
     In one advantageous embodiment, the ring has at least one indexing element, here two indexing elements. 
     The main body has at least one complementary indexing element, here a single complementary indexing element, provided to cooperate with the at least one indexing element to block ring  68  in at least one given position relative to main body  12 . 
     The or each given position corresponds to an angular position of the given ring about the main axis. 
     More particularly here, the at least one given position includes the right position and the left position. 
     The indexing elements of the ring are for, example, flats, the complementary indexing element of main body  12  being a flat arranged to cooperate with a first of the flats of the ring in the right position and with a second of the flats of the ring in the left position. 
     Alternatively, the indexing elements of the ring are retractable fingers, the complementary indexing element of main body  12  being a hole provided to cooperate with a first of the fingers in the right position and with a second of the fingers in the left position. 
     Alternatively, the indexing elements of the ring are holes, the complementary indexing element of main body  12  being a retractable finger provided to be inserted into a first of the holes in the right position and into a second of the holes in the left position. 
     In an alternative embodiment that is not shown, the recess is hollowed in ring  68 , more particularly, in an inner circumferential surface of ring  68  extending opposite outer circumferential surface  72  of sleeve  64 . 
     Orifice  76  then fluidly connects outer circumferential surface  72  of sleeve  64  facing the recess hollowed in ring  68  and counterbore  75  of inner circumferential surface  74  of sleeve  64 . 
     The alternative embodiment is otherwise similar. 
     In another alternative embodiment that is not shown, the recess is hollowed both in sleeve  64  and in ring  68 , more particularly, in outer circumferential surface  72  of sleeve  64  and an inner circumferential surface of ring  68  extending opposite outer circumferential surface  72  of sleeve  64 . 
     The alternative embodiment is otherwise similar. 
     In one alternative embodiment, the regulator is mounted in line between kit  16  devoid of a regulator, for example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , and cup  14 . More particularly, the regulator includes an inlet fluidly connected, for example, by a pipe, to the kit, more particularly, to the fluid outlet of the sleeve, and an outlet fluidly connected, for example by a pipe, to the cup. 
     An exemplary kit alternative is shown in  FIG. 5 . Similar elements are referenced similarly with a reference incremented by 100. Only the points by which the alternative example differs from the kit previously described are described hereinafter. 
     Regulator  184  is incorporated directly into ring  168  of kit  116 . 
     More particularly, regulator  184  is secured to the cylindrical portion surrounding sleeve  164 . 
     The radial orifice of the cylindrical portion of ring  168  is fluidly connected to regulator  184 . 
     Regulator  184  has an outlet  165  for connecting a pipe. 
     Regulator  184  is able to regulate the flow rate and/or the pressure of the fluid passing through it, i.e., between the radial orifice of the cylindrical portion of ring  168  and outlet  165 . 
     The connector between the radial orifice of the cylindrical portion and the cup includes, in the example, regulator  184  and the pipe extending from outlet  165 . 
     A method for using a kit for a spray gun as previously described will now be described. 
     The method includes:
         providing a kit  16 ,  116  for a spray gun as previously described,   providing a spray gun  10  including a main body  12  defining an open chamber  62  and a cup  14  defining a reservoir  15 ,   fastening sleeve  64 ,  164  on main body  12  such that open chamber  62  and inner volume  70  of sleeve  64 ,  164  together define a single volume, and   connecting connecting end  82  to cup  14 , so as to fluidly connect inner volume  70  of sleeve  64 ,  164  to reservoir  15  of cup  14 .       

     During the step for fastening the sleeve on the main body, the proximal end of sleeve  64 ,  164  here is inserted in the open chamber  62 . More particularly, sleeve  64 ,  164  is screwed in the opening of chamber  62 . 
     Needle  78 ,  178  is further inserted in inner volume  70  of sleeve  64 ,  164 . More particularly, needle  78 ,  178  is screwed on the thread of inner circumferential surface  74 . 
     The placement of the kit on the gun is particularly easy. 
     In one alternative embodiment, that is not shown, the spray gun is provided so that the pressurized kit is connected to another location of the gun. 
     The chamber of the pressurized fluid passage duct is, for example, closed directly by the needle fitted in the chamber, for example, using a sleeve. 
     The kit is, for example, provided to be fastened around needle  44  of pressurized fluid inlet orifice  32 . 
     The kit can be provided to be fastened at the connector of inlet orifice  32 . 
     Alternatively, the kit is provided to be fastened around cavity  30  of actuating duct  42 . 
     Such a kit, therefore, makes it possible to adapt the spray gun easily to provide an intake of pressurized fluid toward the reservoir of the cup if needed. 
     Indeed, if no intake is necessary, the kit is able to be withdrawn, the chamber of the pressurized fluid passage duct being adapted to be closed directly by needle  78 , for example, by fitting of the needle in the chamber, in particular using a sleeve. 
     Alternatively, if no intake is necessary, regulator  84  is adjusted such that the passage surface of a circumference in connector  66  is nil. 
     If an intake is necessary so as to pressurize the fluid in reservoir  15 , the kit is easily placed on the gun in the desired location. 
     The connector then makes it possible to recover the pressure, advantageously selectively, of the pressurized fluid in the location of the spray gun to pressurize the fluid included in the reservoir of a cup. 
     The pressurized gun with the kit is further easily able to be manipulated by a user.