Patent Publication Number: US-2023145062-A1

Title: Spray gun converter

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices and methods for converting a standard gravity-fed spray gun to a pressure-assisted, gravity-fed spray gun. Spray guns are used in a variety of industries to apply liquid coatings to substrates. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Spray guns are used, for example, in vehicle repair body shops to apply liquid coating media such as primer, paint and/or clearcoat to vehicle parts. Typically, the spray gun is made of solid metal or plastic and includes a platform and spray head assembly. The spray head assembly includes a nozzle for dispensing the liquid, a center air outlet that provides air to atomize the liquid as it exits the nozzle, and a fan air outlet that provides air to shape the atomized liquid into the desired spray pattern. The spray gun contains a series of internal passages that distribute air from an air supply manifold in the platform to the center air outlet and fan air outlet in the spray head assembly. 
     Liquid is typically gravity fed to the spray gun by a reservoir that is in fluid contact with the spray head assembly. However, if the liquid becomes too viscous, the spray gun cannot operate as intended, thus preventing delivery of the liquid from the nozzle. In such cases, a pressure-assisted, gravity-fed spray gun (also referred to herein as a “pressure-assisted spray gun”) may be used to provide pressurized air to the reservoir to facilitate fluid flow to the spray gun nozzle. 
     Traditionally, gravity-fed and pressure-assisted applications required different spray guns. Attempts to provide a single spray gun for both applications have met with limited success. For example, a gravity-fed spray gun has been converted to a pressure-assisted spray gun by adding a secondary regulator below the handle of the spray gun to divert a portion of the air supply to the reservoir. However, the regulator adds bulk to the spray gun, making it less adaptable for applications in tight spaces. In another example, a pressure barb or bolt can be inserted over the air inlet of a pressure-assisted reservoir, thereby causing a pressure-assisted spray gun to perform like a gravity-fed spray gun. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a spray gun converter that can convert a gravity-fed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun by diverting a portion of the air supply to a liquid containing reservoir for pressure-assisted liquid delivery. The spray gun converter can be inserted into a manifold of a platform of the gravity-fed spray gun that feeds air to a nozzle center air outlet and a nozzle fan air outlet of a spray head assembly that is connected to the platform. In at least one embodiment, the spray gun converter is not inserted into the air supply line to the gun (or a separate assembly adjacent to the spray gun body such as a regulator) but rather in the gun body itself. The converter adds little to no additional bulk to the spray gun since the majority of the converter resides in the platform of the spray gun and, in some cases, replaces a fan control air regulator. Additionally, by placing the converter in the manifold of the platform, the diversion of air to the reservoir has little to no effect on air flow through the nozzle center air and nozzle fan air outlets of the spray head assembly. The spray gun converter allows the user to adjust the amount of air that is diverted to the reservoir and can be turned completely off so that the spray gun operates solely in gravity-feed mode with the converter present. Additionally, or alternatively, the spray gun converter is reversibly attached to the spray gun platform so that it can be quickly and easily inserted or removed, depending upon the desired application. 
     In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a spray gun converter that includes a body. The body includes a first end configured for insertion into an air passage of a gravity-fed spray gun, a second end having a converter fitting configured for connection to a reservoir, and a reservoir air passage extending through the body from an inlet end at the first end to an outlet end on the converter fitting at the second end. The spray gun converter also includes a reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage. 
     In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a spray gun that includes a platform having a manifold. The manifold includes a chamber, a manifold air inlet fluidly connected to the chamber, and a manifold center air outlet and a manifold fan air outlet each fluidly connected to the chamber. The manifold further includes an access fluidly connected to the chamber. The spray gun also includes a spray head assembly connected to the platform. The spray head assembly includes a nozzle fluid passage having a nozzle fluid inlet and a nozzle fluid outlet, a nozzle center air passage having a nozzle center air inlet and a nozzle center air outlet, and a nozzle fan air passage having a nozzle fan air inlet and a nozzle fan air outlet. The nozzle center air inlet is fluidly connected to the manifold center air outlet, and the nozzle fan air inlet is fluidly connected to the manifold fan air outlet. The spray gun further includes a spray gun converter that has a body that includes a first end configured for insertion into the access of the manifold of the platform, and a second end having a converter fitting configured for connection to a reservoir. The converter further includes a reservoir air passage extending through the body from an inlet end at the first end to an outlet end on the converter fitting at the second end, where the reservoir air passage is configured for fluid connection to the chamber of the manifold of the platform. The spray gun converter also includes a reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage. 
     In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides a spray gun system that includes a platform having a manifold. The manifold includes a chamber, a manifold air inlet fluidly connected to the chamber, and a manifold center air outlet and a manifold fan air outlet each fluidly connected to the chamber. The manifold further includes an access fluidly connected to the chamber. The spray gun also includes a spray head assembly connected to the platform. The spray head assembly includes a nozzle fluid passage having a nozzle fluid inlet and a nozzle fluid outlet, a nozzle center air passage having a nozzle center air inlet and a nozzle center air outlet, and a nozzle fan air passage having a nozzle fan air inlet and a nozzle fan air outlet. The nozzle center air inlet is fluidly connected to the manifold center air outlet, and the nozzle fan air inlet is fluidly connected to the manifold fan air outlet. The spray gun further includes a spray gun converter that has a body that includes a first end configured for insertion into the access of the manifold of the platform, and a second end having a converter fitting. The converter further includes a reservoir air passage extending through the body from an inlet end at the first end to an outlet end on the converter fitting at the second end, where the reservoir air passage is configured for fluid connection to the chamber of the manifold of the platform. The spray gun converter also includes a reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage. The spray gun system also includes a reservoir having a reservoir fitting and a fluid outlet that supplies fluid to the nozzle fluid inlet in the spray head assembly, and a reservoir connector attached at one end to the reservoir fitting of the reservoir and at the opposite end to the converter fitting of the spray gun converter. 
     In a further embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for converting a gravity-fed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun. The method includes inserting a spray gun converter into a manifold of the gravity-fed spray gun. The spray gun converter includes a body having a first end configured for insertion into the manifold of the gravity-fed spray gun, a second end having a converter fitting configured for connection to a reservoir, and a reservoir air passage extending through the body from an inlet end at the first end to an outlet end on the converter fitting at the second end. The spray gun converter also includes a reservoir air control valve that opens and closes the reservoir air passage. The method further includes fluidly connecting the converter fitting to the reservoir, and adjusting the reservoir air control valve so that the reservoir air passage is at least partially open. 
     The term “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the description and claims. Such terms will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements. By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of.” Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they materially affect the activity or action of the listed elements. 
     In this application, terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are used interchangeably with the phrases “at least one” and “one or more.” 
     The phrases “at least one of” and “comprises at least one of” followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list. 
     The term “or” is generally employed in its usual sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     The term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements. 
     Also herein, all numbers are assumed to be modified by the term “about” and in certain embodiments, by the term “exactly.” As used herein in connection with a measured quantity, the term “about” refers to that variation in the measured quantity as would be expected by the skilled artisan making the measurement and exercising a level of care commensurate with the objective of the measurement and the precision of the measuring equipment used. Herein, “up to” a number (e.g., up to 50) includes the number (e.g., 50). 
     Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range as well as the endpoints (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.). 
     Reference throughout this specification to “some embodiments” means that a particular feature, configuration, composition, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, configurations, compositions, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The description that follows more particularly exemplifies illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a spray gun system that includes a spray gun, a spray gun converter, and a reservoir. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic perspective view of the spray gun system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air supply manifold of the spray gun of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a frame of the spray gun of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spray head assembly of the spray gun of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray gun of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic perspective transparent view of the spray gun converter of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray gun converter of  FIG.  1    with a reservoir air passage of a body of the converter closed by a reservoir air control valve of the converter. 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray gun converter of  FIG.  1    with the reservoir air passage of the body of the converter opened by the reservoir air control valve of the converter. 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic exploded view of the reservoir of the spray gun system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  11    is a flow chart of a method for converting a gravity-fed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun. 
     
    
    
     Unless otherwise indicated, all figures and drawings in this document are not to scale and are chosen for the purpose of illustrating different embodiments of the invention. In particular, the dimensions of the various components are depicted in illustrative terms only, and no relationship between the dimensions of the various components should be inferred from the drawings, unless so indicated. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a spray gun converter that can convert a gravity-fed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun by diverting a portion of the air supply to a liquid containing reservoir for pressure-assisted liquid delivery. The spray gun converter can be inserted into a manifold of a platform of the gravity-fed spray gun that feeds air to a nozzle center air outlet and a nozzle fan air outlet of a spray head assembly that is connected to the platform. The converter adds little to no additional bulk to the spray gun since the majority of the converter resides in the platform of the spray gun and, in some cases, replaces a fan control air valve. Additionally, by placing the converter in the manifold of the platform, the diversion of air to the reservoir has little to no effect on air flow through the nozzle center air and nozzle fan air outlets of the spray head assembly. The spray gun converter allows the user to adjust the amount of air that is diverted to the reservoir and can be turned completely off so that the spray gun operates solely in gravity-feed mode with the converter present. Additionally, or alternatively, the spray gun converter is reversibly attached to the spray gun platform so that it can be quickly and easily inserted or removed, depending upon the desired application. 
     The converter can include a reservoir air control valve that is adapted to direct a portion of pressurized air into one or more separate passages. One such passage can be adapted to direct pressurized air to a reservoir. In one or more embodiments, when the valve is in an open position, pressurized air can be directed to the reservoir to pressurize fluid contained therein above atmospheric pressure. Further, when the valve is in a closed position, pressurized air is not directed to the reservoir such that the spray gun operates in a more standard manner with a standard reservoir. 
       FIGS.  1 - 10    are various views of one embodiment of a spray gun system  10 . The spray gun system  10  includes a spray gun  11  having a platform  12  and a spray head assembly  14  connected to the platform. As can be seen in  FIG.  5   , the spray head assembly  14  includes a nozzle fluid passage  84  that includes a nozzle fluid inlet  86  and nozzle fluid outlet  16 . The assembly  14  further includes a nozzle center air passage  89  that includes a nozzle center air inlet  81  and a nozzle center air outlet  18 . Further, the assembly  14  includes a nozzle fan air passage  92  that has a nozzle fan air inlet  80  and one or more nozzle fan air outlets  20 . 
     The platform  12  includes a manifold  22  ( FIGS.  3 - 4   ). The manifold  22  includes a chamber  25 , a manifold air inlet  24  fluidly connected to the chamber, and a manifold center air outlet  26  and a manifold fan air outlet  28  each fluidly connected to the chamber. The manifold  22  also includes an access  61  and a second access  62  each fluidly connected to the chamber  25 . 
     The spray gun  11  also includes a spray gun converter  100  that has a body  102  ( FIGS.  7 - 9   ) having a first end  104  configured for insertion into the manifold  22  of the spray gun  11 , a second end  106  having a converter fitting  108  configured for connection to a reservoir  30  ( FIGS.  1 - 2   ), and a reservoir air passage  110  extending through the body from an inlet end  112  at the first end to an outlet end  114  on the converter fitting at the second end. The spray gun converter  100  also includes a reservoir air control valve  116  that opens and closes the reservoir air passage  110 . 
     The spray gun  11  can include a variety of components including the platform  12  and the spray head assembly  14  that can be connected to the platform at a barrel interface  50  ( FIG.  4   ). The spray gun  11  can include any suitable platform, e.g., one or more embodiments of a platform described in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,809 to Escoto, Jr. et al., entitled LIQUID SPRAY GUN, SPRAY GUN PLATFORM, AND SPRAY HEAD ASSEMBLY. In one or more embodiments, the spray head assembly  14  can be releasably connected to the platform  12  and provide features that control movement of both a liquid to be sprayed and air used to spray the liquid as described herein. In one or more embodiments, the spray head assembly  14  is disposable and can be thrown away after use (although in some instances it may be reused). If disposed after use, cleaning of the spray head assembly  14  can be avoided, and the spray gun  11  can be changed over to dispense another liquid by attaching a different spray head assembly to the platform and the same or a different reservoir  30 . 
     Connection of the spray head assembly  14  to the barrel interface  50  of the spray gun platform  12  may be achieved using any suitable technique or techniques. For example, connection structures on the spray head assembly  14  may cooperate (e.g., mechanically interlock) with openings  52  at the barrel interface  50  to retain the spray head assembly on the spray gun platform  12 . Many other connection techniques and structures may be used in place of those described herein, e.g., a bayonet type connection that facilitates rapid connection/disconnection of the spray head assembly  14  with a push or push-twist action, clamps, threaded connections, etc. 
     The platform  12  can include any suitable material or materials, e.g., metals, metal alloys, plastics (e.g., polycarbonates, nylons (e.g., amorphous nylons), polypropylenes, etc.), and others. If plastic materials are used to construct the platform  12 , such plastic materials may include any suitable additives, fillers, etc. Selection of the materials used in the platform  12  can be based at least in part on the compatibility of the selected materials with the materials to be sprayed (e.g., solvent resistance and other characteristics may need to be considered when selecting the materials used to construct the platforms). 
     The manifold  22  within the assembled platform  12  is made up of a variety of cavities that, taken together, form the passages that deliver air to the spray head assembly  14 . For example,  FIG.  3    depicts the cavities/air passages formed in the platform  12  with the surrounding structure of the platform removed for clarity. Among the cavities/passages formed in the platform  12  is the manifold  22 . 
     The manifold  22  includes the chamber  25 . The chamber  25  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. The manifold  22  further includes the manifold air inlet  24  that can include a fitting  60  ( FIG.  4   ) such that the manifold can be connected to an air source (not shown) that supplies air to the manifold at greater than atmospheric pressure. The manifold air inlet  24  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Although depicted as including one manifold air inlet  24 , the manifold  22  can include any suitable number of inlets that can each be fluidly connected to the chamber  25  to supply air or gas to the manifold, e.g., one, two, three, four, five, or more inlets. 
     The manifold  22  also includes the manifold center air outlet  26  and the manifold fan air outlet  28 . Each of the manifold center air outlet  26  and the manifold fan air outlet  28  can be fluidly connected to the chamber  25  using any suitable technique or techniques. Further, each of the manifold center air outlet  26  and the manifold fan air outlet  28  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Although depicted as having two outlets  26 ,  28 , the manifold  22  can include any suitable number of outlets that are each fluidly connected to the chamber  25 , e.g., one, two, three, four, five, or more outlets. In general, air flowing into the manifold  22  through one or more manifold air inlets  24  can be distributed to one or more outlets  26 ,  28  using any suitable technique or techniques. 
     The manifold  22  can also include any suitable number of accesses, ports, or openings. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the manifold  22  includes the access  61  and the second access  62  each fluidly connected to the chamber  25  using any suitable technique or techniques. Further, each of the access and the second access  61 ,  62  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Although depicted as including two accesses  61 ,  62 , the platform  12  can include any suitable number of accesses, e.g., one, two, three, four, five, or more accesses. The accesses  61 ,  62  can be utilized in any suitable manner to provide access to the chamber  25  or to facilitate control of air flow into and out of the manifold  22 . For example, as is further described herein, the first end  104  of the body  102  of the spray gun converter  100  can be configured for insertion into the access  61  of the manifold  22  of the platform  12 . In one or more embodiments, the first end of  104  of the body  102  of the spray gun converter  100  can be configured for insertion into the second access  62  of the manifold  22  of the platform  12 . 
     Control over both gas or air flow and fluid flow through the spray gun  11  can be accomplished using any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, a trigger  64  ( FIG.  1   ) that is pivotally engaged to the platform  12 , e.g., by a retaining pin  66  can control at least one of the air flow and fluid flow through the spray gun  11 . The spray gun  11  can also include a needle  68  ( FIG.  6   ) that extends through the spray head assembly  14  in a manner similar to that described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,839. The trigger  64  can be biased to the inoperative position such that the needle  68  closes the nozzle fluid outlet  16  in the spray head assembly  14  and also closes an air supply valve  70 . In the depicted embodiment, the biasing force is provided by a coil spring  72 , although other biasing mechanisms may be used. 
     When the trigger  64  is depressed, needle  68  retracts and opens the air supply valve  70  to allow air to pass from the manifold  22  to the spray head assembly  14 . As the trigger is further depressed, the needle  68  is retracted to a position in which a tapered front end  74  of the needle allows liquid to flow through nozzle fluid outlet  16  in the spray head assembly  14 . Air flow can be further controlled by the spray gun converter  100  as is further described herein. 
     The manifold fan air outlet  28  ( FIG.  3   ) is fluidly connected to the chamber  25  and routes air to the nozzle fan air outlets  20  of the spray head assembly  14  using any suitable technique or techniques. Further, the manifold center air outlet  26  ( FIG.  3   ) is fluidly connected to the chamber  25  and routes air to the nozzle center air outlet  18  of the spray head assembly  14  using any suitable technique or techniques. Control over the air distribution from the chamber  25  of the manifold  22  to the manifold center air outlet  26  and the manifold fan air outlet  28  can be accomplished using any suitable technique or techniques as is further described herein. 
     Connected to the platform  12  of the spray gun  11  is the spray head assembly  14 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , the assembly  14  further includes a barrel  76  and an air cap  78 . The barrel  76  and the air cap  78  of the spray head assembly  14  can combine to form cavities that deliver the center air and the fan air in a substantially isolated manner through the spray head assembly. 
     The assembly  14  further includes the nozzle fluid passage  84  having the nozzle fluid inlet  86  and the nozzle fluid outlet  16 . The nozzle fluid passage  84  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Fluid to be sprayed exits the assembly  14  through the nozzle fluid outlet  16 . Fluid enters the nozzle fluid passage  84  from the nozzle fluid inlet  86  that is fed through a fluid port  88 . The nozzle fluid passage  84  can be sized to receive the needle  68  ( FIG.  6   ) that is capable of closing the nozzle fluid outlet  16  when advanced in the forward direction (to the left in the views depicted in  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) and opening the nozzle fluid outlet when retracted in the rearward direction (to the right in  FIGS.  5  and  6   ). 
     The assembly  14  also includes the nozzle center air passage  89  having the nozzle center air inlet  81  and the nozzle center air outlet  18 . The nozzle center air passage  89  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. The nozzle center air inlet  81  is fluidly connected to the manifold center air outlet  26  using any suitable technique or techniques. 
     The nozzle center air outlet  18  of the assembly  14  is formed in the air cap  78  such that it at least partially surrounds the nozzle fluid outlet  16 . The spray head assembly  14  is adapted to direct the center air through the nozzle center air outlet  18  at greater than atmospheric pressure. As air exits the center air outlet it pulls liquid or fluid out of the nozzle fluid outlet  16  and atomizes the liquid stream into droplets of a generally conical stream about an axis  2  extending through the nozzle fluid outlet. 
     The assembly  14  also includes the nozzle fan air passage  92  having the nozzle fan air inlet  80  and the one or more nozzle fan air outlets  20 . The nozzle fan air passage  92  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Further, the nozzle fan air inlet  80  is fluidly connected to the manifold fan air outlet  28  using any suitable technique or techniques. 
     The air cap  78  that is provided as a part of the spray head assembly  14  can be connected to the barrel  76  utilizing any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, the air cap  78  is connected to the barrel  76  in a manner that allows for rotation of the air cap about the axis  2  relative to the barrel. In one or more embodiments, rotation of the air cap  78  can be used to change an orientation of a pattern of the atomized spray emitted from the spray head assembly  14  relative to the axis  2 . 
     The air cap  78  can include one or more air horns  90 , each of which defines at least a portion of the nozzle fan air passage  92 . Fan air delivered into the air horns  90  exits through one or more nozzle fan air outlets  20  on the air horns. The outlets  20  on the horns  90  can be located on opposite sides of the axis  2  such that air flowing through the barrel  76  under greater than atmospheric pressure flows against opposite sides of the atomized stream of fluid flowing from the nozzle. The forces exerted by the fan air can be used to change the shape of the stream of fluid to form a desired spray pattern. The size, shape, orientation, and other features of the fan air control outlets  20  can be adjusted to achieve different fan control characteristics as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,336 B2 to Blette and entitled LIQUID SPRAY GUN WITH NON-CIRCULAR HORN AIR OUTLET PASSAGEWAYS AND APERTURES. The fan air outlets  20  can take any suitable shape or shapes, e.g., elliptical, rectilinear, etc. 
     The spray gun system  10  also includes the reservoir  30 . Any suitable reservoir or container can be utilized with system  10 , e.g., one or more embodiments of the containers described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,106 to Escoto, Jr., et al. and entitled PRESSURIZED LIQUID SUPPLY ASSEMBLY. As shown in  FIG.  10   , The reservoir  30  disclosed herein includes a container  32  that has a side wall  34 , a bottom end  36 , and a top end  38  having a container opening  40  therein. The reservoir  30  also includes a reservoir inlet  42  within the side wall  34 , and a reservoir fitting  44  extending outward from the side wall. The reservoir fitting  44  is adapted to connect the reservoir  30  to a reservoir connector  46  ( FIG.  2   ). The reservoir  30  can also include one or more additional features, such as distribution fins to improve air flow and distribution within the container  32 . See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,106. 
     The container  32  of the reservoir  30  can be adapted to withstand any suitable air pressure. In one or more embodiments, the container  32  is capable of withstanding a relatively high air pressure, e.g., greater than about 69.0 kPa (10 psi), greater than about 137.9 kPa (20 psi), etc. 
     The reservoir  30  also includes a lid component  160 . The lid component  160  can include a filter component (not shown) either permanently or temporarily attached to a lower surface of the lid component that faces an interior of the container  32  when the lid component is connected to the container. The lid component  160  can further include one or more components capable of connecting to the fluid port  88  of the spray head assembly  14 , where the one or more components are positioned on an outer surface and at a second end of the lid component. For example, the lid component  160  can include axially-spaced radially outwardly projecting sealing rings  162  along an outer surface of cylindrical portion  164  positioned on boss  166 , and opposed inwardly projecting lips  168  on the distal ends of projecting hook members  170 , which are equally spaced from and on either side of cylindrical portion extending from outer surface  172  of exemplary lid component  160 . These various component features may be used to attach the lid component  160  to the fluid port  88 , e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,687 to Navis et al. and entitled MIXING CUP ADAPTING ASSEMBLY. 
     The reservoir  30  can also include a liner  174 . The liner  174  can include at least one liner side wall  178 , a liner bottom end  176 , a liner top end  175  having a liner opening  177  therein, and a liner rim  179  extending along and protruding from the liner top end. In one or more embodiments, the liner  174  is self-supporting and collapsible. In one or more embodiments, the liner  174  has a comparatively rigid base  176  and comparatively thin side walls  178  so that the liner collapses in the longitudinal direction by virtue of the side walls collapsing rather than the base. 
     The reservoir  30  can also include a shroud component  180  that is adapted to provide support to the lid component  160  by extending over and restricting expansion of the lid component when exposed to high pressure. Like the above-described lid component  160 , the shroud component  180  can include an injection-molded part formed from a plastic material such as polypropylene or polyamide. In one or more embodiments, shroud component  180  can be transparent to enable viewing of the lid component  160  and the contents within the liquid supply assembly. 
     The reservoir  30  can further include a collar  182  that has a top end  183  having a collar opening  185  therein, a bottom end  188 , and at least one collar side wall extending between the top end and the bottom end, a collar rim  190  extending along the top end and protruding into the collar opening, and a set of threads  184  extending along the at least one collar side wall, where the set of threads is capable of engaging with a set of threads  186  of the container  32 . 
     The reservoir  30  can further include one or more additional, optional components. Suitable optional components include, but are not limited to, a filter element that can be permanently or temporarily attached to the lid component, a gasket that can be positioned between the lid component and the liner (or liner component of the container), an indicating sheet having indicia thereon to assist a user when introducing one or more liquids into the collapsible liner, and an adapter for connecting the lid component to a spraying device positioned between the lid component and the spraying device. 
     The spray gun  11  also includes the spray gun converter  100 . As shown in  FIGS.  7 - 9   , the converter  100  includes the body  102  having the first end  104  that is configured for insertion into the manifold  22  of the platform  12 . The body  102  further includes the second end  106  that has a converter fitting  108  that is configured for connection to the reservoir  30 . Further, the body  102  includes the reservoir air passage  110  that extends through the body from the inlet end  112  at the first end  104  to the outlet end  114  on the converter fitting  108  at the second end  106 . The converter  100  also includes the reservoir air control valve  116  that opens ( FIG.  9   ) and closes ( FIG.  8   ) the reservoir air passage  110 . The body  102  can include any suitable material or materials, e.g., at least one of a metallic, polymeric, or other inorganic material. The body  102  can be manufactured utilizing any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., casting, molding, machining, 3D printing, or any other additive or subtractive manufacturing techniques. 
     The body  102  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the body  102  is configured such that at least a portion of the body can be inserted into the manifold  22  of the spray gun platform  12 . For example, the first end  104  of the body  102  can be configured to be inserted into the access  61  of the manifold  22 . In one or more embodiments, the first end  104  of the body  102  can be configured to be inserted into the second access  62  of the manifold  22 . In one or more embodiments, the converter  100  can include a gasket  118  disposed adjacent to the first end  104  of the body  102 . As used herein, the term “adjacent to the first end” means that an element or component is disposed closer to the first end  104  of the body  102  of the converter  100  than to the second end  106  of the body. The gasket  118  can surround at least a portion of the first end  104  of the body  102 . The gasket  118  can include any suitable material or materials and have any suitable dimensions such that the gasket provides an air seal between the body  102  of the converter  100  and the manifold  22 . Although depicted as including two gaskets  118 , the converter  100  can include any suitable number of gaskets, e.g., one, two, three, four, five, or more gaskets. Further, in one or more embodiments, the body  102  can include a slot  120  that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the gasket  118  such that the gasket remains connected to the body  102 . 
     The second end  106  of the body  102  includes the converter fitting  108 . The converter fitting  108  can be disposed in any suitable location relative to the first end  104  of the body  102 . In one or more embodiments, the converter fitting  108  can be disposed at the second end  106  of the body  102 . In one or more embodiments, the converter fitting  108  is disposed adjacent to the second end  106  of the body  102 . As used herein, the term “adjacent to the second end” means that an element or component is disposed closer to the second end  106  of the body  102  than to the first end  104 . 
     The converter fitting  108  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the converter fitting  108  is configured to be connected to the reservoir connector  46  of the reservoir  30  using any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, the reservoir connector  46  can be fitted over the converter fitting  108  such that at least a portion of the fitting is disposed within the connector. Although not shown, in one or more embodiments, the converter fitting  108  can include one or more rings or lips disposed on an outer surface of the fitting to retain the reservoir connector  46  when the connector is disposed over the fitting. 
     Extending through the body  102  of the converter  100  is the reservoir air passage  110 . The passage is configured for fluid connection to the chamber  25  of the manifold  22  of the platform  12 . The passage  110  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. The passage  110  extends from the inlet end  112  of the reservoir air passage  110  at the first end  104  of the body  102  to the outlet end  114  of the reservoir air passage  110  on the converter fitting  108  at the second end  106 . The passage  110  includes a first portion  122  that extends from the inlet end  112  and a second portion  124  that extends from the outlet end  114 . The first and second portions  122 ,  124  form an intersection  126  in the body  102  of the spray gun converter  100 . The first portion  122  of the reservoir air passage  110  can form any suitable angle  4  with the second portion  124  as shown in  FIG.  8   . In one or more embodiments, the first and second portions  122 ,  124  are at substantially right angles at the intersection  126 . As used herein, the term “substantially right angle” means that the angle  4  formed by the first and second portions  122 ,  124  of the passage  110  at the intersection  126  is at least 80 degrees and no greater than 110 degrees. 
     In one or more embodiments, the second portion  124  of the reservoir air passage  110  extends through the body  102  from the outlet end  114  to an opening  128  in the body  102  opposite the outlet end  114 . In one or more embodiments, the second portion  124  linearly extends from the outlet end  114  to the opening  128 . 
     The converter  100  also includes the reservoir air control valve  116 . The valve  116  is adapted to open and close the reservoir air passage  110 . The valve  116  can include any suitable valve or valves. In one or more embodiments, the valve  116  is a threaded needle valve that includes a reservoir air control knob  132 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7 - 9   , the valve  116  can include one or more threads  134  that are adapted to engage one or more threads  138  disposed in the second portion  124  of the reservoir air passage  110 . The valve  116  can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the valve  116  can include one or more gaskets  140 . The gasket  140  can provide an air seal between the valve  116  and an inner wall of the second portion  124  of the reservoir air passage  110 . 
     The valve  116  can be located at the intersection  126  of the first portion  122  and the second portion  124  of the reservoir air passage  110 . In one or more embodiments, the valve  116  is threaded into the opening  128  of the second portion  124 . 
     As mentioned herein, the reservoir air control valve  116  opens and closes the reservoir air passage  110  using any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, the valve  116  can be adjusted to close, partially open, or completely open the reservoir air passage  110 . When in the closed position as shown in  FIG.  8   , an end  142  of the valve  116  can extend into the second portion  124  of the reservoir air passage  110  and prevent air from the first portion  110  of the reservoir air passage  110  that has entered the passage through the inlet end  112  from passing into the second portion and through the outlet end  114  of the passage. In one or more embodiments, the end  142  of the valve  116  can be shaped to engage a ledge  144  of the second portion  124  of the reservoir air passage  110  to seal the outlet end  114  of the second portion. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG.  9   , the reservoir air control valve  116  can open the reservoir air passage  110  using any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, the valve  116  can be rotated such that the end  142  of the valve is withdrawn from the ledge  144  of the second portion  124 , thereby allowing air to flow through the intersection  126  from the first portion  122  and into the second portion. Such air then flows through the outlet end  114  of the second portion  124  and into the reservoir connector  46 , where it is directed into the container  32  of the reservoir  30 . Such air can pressurize the container  32  and provide pressurized fluid to the spray head assembly  14  of the spray gun  11  through the fluid port  88 . 
     Although the spray gun  11  is illustrated as having the reservoir  30  disposed above the platform  12  when the spray gun is oriented in an in-use position, the spray gun can include a spray head assembly that can be adapted such that the reservoir is disposed below the platform. In such embodiments, the converter  100  can be utilized to provide gas or air to the reservoir  30  to provide pressure-assisted flow if the reservoir air control valve  116  is at least partially opened. Further, with the reservoir air control valve  116  closed, the spray gun  11  would operate as a standard bottom feed spray gun. 
     In one or more embodiments, the spray gun connector  100  can also include a fan air control valve  146 . The fan air control valve  146  can open and close the manifold fan air outlet  28 . The valve  146  can include any suitable valve. In one or more embodiments, the valve  146  can include a threaded spindle  148  that extends through the body  102  of the spray gun converter  100  from the first end  104  to the second end  106 . The valve  146  can also include a valve plug  150  attached to the threaded spindle  148  adjacent to the first end  104  of the body  102  of the converter  100 . 
     The fan air control valve  146  can control air delivered to the manifold fan air outlet  28  from the chamber  25 . As a result, the fan air control valve  146  can control air flow to the air horns  90  of the spray head assembly  14  to adjust the spray pattern geometry. Further, the fan air control valve  146  can include a fan air control knob  152  attached to the spindle  148  adjacent to the second end  106  of the body  102 . In one or more embodiments, the threaded spindle  148 , the valve plug  150 , and the fan air control knob  152  can be a single component, i.e., manufactured as one part. In one or more embodiments, the threaded spindle  148 , the valve plug  150 , and the fan air control knob  152  can be manufactured separately and connected together utilizing any suitable technique or techniques. 
     The reservoir air control valve  116  and the fan air control valve  146  can be disposed in any suitable position relative to each other. For example, in one configuration, the reservoir air control valve  116  is positioned to at least partially open the reservoir air passage  110 , and the fan air control valve  146  is positioned to at least partially open the manifold fan air outlet  28 . In such a configuration, air flows through the reservoir air passage  110 , through the outlet end  114 , through the reservoir connector  46 , and into the container  32 . Such air can be utilized to pressurize the fluid disposed within the container  32  and provide such pressurized fluid to the spray head assembly  14 . Further, in this configuration, air also flows through the manifold fan air outlet  28  and out the nozzle fan air outlets  20 . 
     In an alternative configuration, the reservoir air control valve  116  is positioned to close the reservoir air passage  110 , and the fan air control valve  146  is positioned to at least partially open the manifold fan air outlet  28 . In yet a further embodiment, the reservoir air control valve  116  is positioned to close the reservoir air passage  110 , and the fan air control valve  146  is positioned to close the manifold fan air outlet  28 . When the reservoir air control valve  116  is closed, the spray gun can be made to operate as a standard gravity fed gun by removing the reservoir connector  46  so that the pressure in the reservoir remains at atmospheric pressure during operation of the gun. Failure to remove the reservoir connector  46  will essentially seal the reservoir so that as the fluid is drawn into the gun, the pressure inside the reservoir drops. This drop in pressure will retard fluid flow from the reservoir and the nozzle fluid outlet  16 . 
     Any suitable technique or techniques can be utilized with the spray gun system  10  to convert a gravity-fed spray gun to a pressure-assisted spray gun  11 . For example,  FIG.  11    is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method  200  of converting the spray gun  11  of the spray gun system  10 . Although described in regard to the spray gun  11  and spray gun converter  100  of the spray gun system  10  of  FIGS.  1 - 10   , the method  200  can be utilized with any suitable spray gun and converter. 
     At  202 , the spray gun converter  100  is inserted into the manifold  22  of the gravity-fed spray gun  11 . In one or more embodiments, the first end  104  of the body  102  of the converter  100  is inserted into the access  61  or the second access  62  of the manifold  22 . In one or more embodiments, a standard control valve can be removed from the platform  12  if present prior to insertion of the converter  100  into the manifold  22 . When use of a pressurized reservoir  30  is desired, such reservoir is connected to the platform  12  using any suitable technique or techniques. The converter fitting  108  is fluidly connected to the reservoir  30  at  204  using any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the converter fitting  108  can be disposed within the reservoir connector  46 . The reservoir air control valve  116  can be adjusted at  206  so that the reservoir air passage  110  is at least partially open. When the reservoir air control valve  116  is at least partially open, air from the manifold  22  can be directed into the reservoir air passage  110  through the inlet end  112 . Such air can then be directed through the outlet end  114  and into the reservoir connector  46 . This air can be utilized to pressurize the fluid disposed within the container  32 . As discussed herein, the pressurized fluid can be directed to the spray head assembly  14  using any suitable technique or techniques to direct a liquid coating from the system  10  and onto a surface. In embodiments where a standard gravity-fed reservoir  30  is desired, the reservoir air control valve  116  can be manipulated such that the reservoir air passage  110  is closed. 
     In one or more embodiments, the fan air control valve  146  can be adjusted at  208  so that the valve is at least partially open. When the fan air control valve  146  is at least partially open, air from the manifold  22  can flow into the manifold fan air outlet  28  and through the nozzle fan air outlets  20  of the spray head assembly  14 . 
     All references and publications cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety into this disclosure, except to the extent they may directly contradict this disclosure. Illustrative embodiments of this disclosure are discussed and reference has been made to possible variations within the scope of this disclosure. These and other variations and modifications in the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be limited only by the claims provided below.