Patent Publication Number: US-10786825-B2

Title: Paint container comprising an optimised air inlet valve

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/084652, filed on Dec. 27, 2017 and entitled “Paint Container Comprising an Optimised Air Inlet Value,” which claims priority to the French patent application No. 1750703, filed with the National Industrial Property institute on Jan. 27, 2017 and entitled “Paint Container Having an Air Inlet Valve Optimized,” whereby each of the above-listed patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the general technical field of containers containing sprayable liquids and spraying systems, apparatus or devices. These containers are generally used for packaging, preparation and working with a paint or spray gun or for the storage, application and eventual conservation of a product originating from a mixture of at least two components. 
     SUMMARY 
     More particularly, the invention relates to a disposable set or kit, separately containing the two or more components to be mixed prior to the use thereof, after the mounting thereof by means of an adapter part onto a paint gun. 
     In the domain of bi-component and more generally multi-component paint products, to paint or to be propelled or sprayed, for example paints, primers, varnishes and other products, each of the two or more components of the final product must be packaged separately. These components are mixed at the last moment, just before being used, because after a certain amount of time it is no longer possible to propel or spray them, for example because they clump, harden or become pasty. Furthermore, these components are generally sensitive to air and/or to light and must be separately packaged within sealed and/or opaque containers. 
     When a bi-component or multi-component product has to be sprayed, the operator must generally perform the premixing of the components of the product himself, before then transferring the mixture to a container that is suitable for the spraying tool thereof, each of the components of the product is then initially individually packaged within a separate container. 
     This preparation of sprayable bi-component or multi-component products presents numerous disadvantages, amongst which the following can be particularly cited:
         bulky and costly commercial packaging for bi-component products insofar as each of the components must be individually packaged within a separate container;   risks of component or product spillage and loss during the preparation of the product to be sprayed due to multiple transfer operations from one container to another;   risks of wrong dosage by the operator during the preparation of the product to be sprayed, which can negatively impact the effectiveness of the bi-component product obtained;   cumbersome storage of partially emptied containers for each of the components after mixing,   deterioration in air of those remaining components stored within partially emptied containers;   the preparation time necessary when mixing the components, while the increasing cost of labor leads employers to find solutions for increasing the work rate.       

     In the domain of painting or of spraying by means of a gravity fed, suction fed or similar paint spray gun, there are very few single use bi-component packagings. 
     In order to make the painting or spraying work easier and faster but also more economical in terms of products and materials, the present invention aims to provide a new packaging and working container serving as disposable cup for mounting onto a spraying tool. 
     Another object of the invention is to improve the extraction, for example by means of gravity, of the liquid component contained within a container serving as a cup or tank for spraying. 
     The objects of the invention are achieved with a disposable container, intended to contain at least one liquid component to be sprayed and having a bottom, at least one peripheral side wall extending from the bottom to an open end spaced apart from and facing said bottom, which is provided with a closable vent device, characterised in that the closable vent device comprises an aperture forming an air passage, provided in the bottom, and a rotary valve mounted on an outer surface of said bottom in the extension of the aperture, in order to close and open the air passage. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention, the rotary valve has a rotation axle extending in a plane parallel to the outer surface, tightly fitted into a jaws that are connected to, and projecting from, said outer surface of the bottom. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention, the rotary valve comprises a movable actuating lever rotatable between two positions in abutment constituting end positions, and corresponding respectively to the opening and the closing of the aperture. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention, the actuating lever, when the rotary valve is in the open position, protrudes on the outer surface of the bottom and extends beyond the other parts of the bottom also projecting on said outer surface. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention, the rotary valve comprises a central cylindrical portion in contact with the outer surface of the bottom and terminating longitudinally at each side by a coaxial end of a smaller diameter in order to constitute the rotation axle engaged within a jaw. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention, the cylindrical portion has a radial through duct in order to make it possible, depending upon the rotational position of the valve, to open the air passage by placing the aperture of the bottom in communication with open air or to close said aperture. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention, the cylindrical portion has a groove open towards the exterior and located on at least a quarter turn of the cylindrical portion, in order to make it possible, depending upon the rotational position of the valve, to open the air passage by placing the aperture of the bottom in communication with open air or to close said aperture. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the container and the jaws are manufactured as one piece. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the container according to the invention, the rotation axle and the cylindrical portion are manufactured as one piece. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the container is pre-filled with at least one product such as paint, varnish or a cleaning product, and comprises a closing element such as a cover or sealing film. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the container comprises internally at least one removable wall allowing for the realization of at least one sealed compartment for storing and isolating at least one additional component. 
     The objects of the invention are also achieved by means of a cup or tank for spraying apparatus comprising a container such as that discussed above, a removable lid for closing the disposable container, said lid being provided with an opening for supplying the spraying apparatus and a filter for filtering the liquid exiting the container through said opening, and an adapter mounted onto the opening in order to realize a detachable connection with said spraying apparatus. 
     The container according to the invention has the advantage of having within the bottom thereof a groove for engagement with an inner tube, the design of which improves the seal between said bottom and said inner tube. Furthermore, the container can be used without the inner tube and this without any structural modification. 
     The groove of the container according to the invention also provides better retention of the inner tube and increases the stability of the bottom. Indeed, the structure projecting from an outer face reduces the risk of deformation of the bottom and of the container, which is very advantageous when said container is closed by means of a sealing film. The shape of the groove also improves the supporting of the container upon a plane. 
     Furthermore, the bottom is flat and devoid of raised elements that are likely to interfere with a mixing operation when using a stirring rod. 
     The container according to the invention also comprises a closable vent device that is remarkably simple, reliable and economical. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given as a non-limiting example and accompanied by drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the container of  FIG. 1  wherein the sealing film has been removed, 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration in top plan view of a sealing film closing the opening of the container according to the invention in top plan view, 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration in top plan view of a rotary valve according to a first embodiment mounted on the container according to the invention, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the valve illustrated in  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration in top plan view of a rotary valve according to a second embodiment mounted on the container according to the invention, 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the valve illustrated in  FIG. 6 , 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the valve illustrated in  FIG. 6 , 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention for a multi-component application with the rotary valve in the open position, 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the container of  FIG. 9  according to another sectional plane, 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of the container according to the invention of  FIGS. 9 and 10  provided with a sealing film and showing the rotary valve in the closed position, 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of the container of  FIG. 11  during the separation of the sealing film, 
         FIG. 13  is another example of use of the container according to the invention, more precisely for mono-component use, 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the use of the container according to the invention during the extraction of a central tube isolating an additional component, 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a view of  FIG. 14 , 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a spraying apparatus upon which the container according to the invention is mounted, and 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention, in bottom perspective view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates according to a perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a container  1  according to the invention. Said container, of a generally substantially cylindrical or truncated conical shape, has a peripheral side wall  2  extending from a bottom  3  to an open end  4 . The latter is more precisely visible in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  shows for example an embodiment of the container  1  provided with an inner compartment delimited by an inner tube  1   a . The open end  4 , also referred to as a connection end, is advantageously closed by means of a sealing film  5  when the container  1  is filled with one or more products. 
     The sealing film  5  is shown, not attached to the container  1 , in  FIG. 3  in top plan view. The sealing film  5  has one or more gripping tabs  5   a  accessible at the periphery thereof in order to permit better gripping when uncoupling it from the container  1 . 
     The container  1  is also provided, centrally or off-center, on an outer face  3   a  of the bottom  3  with a closable vent device  6 . The latter is shown respectively closed and open, for example in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     The closable vent device  6  comprises an aperture  7  formed in the bottom  3  such as to form an air passage. Said aperture  7  is illustrated in particular in  FIGS. 9, 11, 12 and 13 . 
     The closable vent device  6  also comprises a rotary valve  8 , whereof a first embodiment is illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and whereof a second embodiment is illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 6 to 8 . The rotary valve  8  is mounted on an outer surface  3   a  of the bottom  3  and within the extension of the aperture  7 . Reference may be made more particularly to  FIGS. 9, 11, 12 and 13 . 
     The rotary valve  8  has a rotation axle  8   a  extending in a plane parallel to the external surface  3   a  and press fitted into jaws  9 . The jaws  9  are advantageously integral with and projecting from the outer surface  3   a.    
     The rotary valve  8  advantageously comprises an actuating lever  8   b  for moving said rotary valve  8  between two positions in abutment constituting end positions. Said two abutment positions respectively correspond to an opening and a closing of the aperture  7 . 
     The rotary valve  8  also comprises a central cylindrical portion  8   c . The latter is in contact with the outer surface  3   a  of the bottom  3  and terminates longitudinally and axially on each side with a coaxial end of a smaller diameter in order to constitute the rotation axle  8   a  engaged within a corresponding jaw  9 . 
     According to a first embodiment of the rotary valve  8 , the cylindrical portion  8   c  has also a radial and traversing duct  8   d , that makes it possible, depending upon the rotational position of the rotary valve  8 , to open the air passage by placing the aperture  7  in communication with open air or to close said aperture  7 . Such a rotary valve  8  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     According to a second embodiment of the rotary valve  8 , the cylindrical portion  8   c  has a groove  8   e  opened towards the exterior, for example over a quarter turn of the cylindrical portion  8   c , in order to make it possible, depending upon the rotational position of the valve  8 , to open the air passage by placing the aperture  7  in communication with open air or to close said aperture  7 . Such a rotary valve  8  is shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8 . 
     The rotary valve  8  according to the first embodiment is thus illustrated in an open position, for example in  FIG. 9  and in a closed position, for example in  FIG. 11, 12 or 13 . 
     The container  1  and the jaws  9  are advantageously manufactured as one piece, for example by injection of a plastic material. 
     The rotation axle  8   a  and the cylindrical portion  8   c  are advantageously manufactured as one piece, for example by injection of a plastic material. 
     The container  1  according to the invention, illustrated for example in  FIG. 1 , is pre-filled with at least one product such as paint, varnish or a cleaning agent and comprises a closure member which is advantageously constituted by the sealing film  5 . 
     An exemplary embodiment of the container  1  according to the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 17 , relates to a bi-component container  1 , intended to contain, in a separated and isolated manner, two distinct components. The latter will be mixed before a spraying operation. 
     Thus, as can be seen for example in  FIG. 2 , the container  1  internally comprises the tube  1   a  the lower end  1   c  of which is engaged within a groove  10 , that is for example circular and of a rectangular cross section, provided in the bottom  3 . The upper end of the tube  1   a  is advantageously provided with a peripheral flat surface  1   b  in order to facilitate the adhesion of the sealing film  5 . Particular reference may be made to  FIG. 11 . 
     The groove  10  is therefore constituted by means of a U-shape of bottom  3 , for example with a radial conical shape on the inner or outer side in order to ensure or improve sealing. According to other embodiments, the sealing may be obtained radially on one side only using sealing lips, tabs in order to realize snap-engagement, nesting or elastic embedding (close fitting engagement using retaining elements) or other sealing elements may be provided, optionally using different materials. 
     Axial guide ribs may also be provided on the inner tube  1   a  or within the groove with an axial sealing at the bottom of the groove. 
     The upper section  2   a  of the side wall  2  advantageously has a contact surface that is lower than the contact surface of the flat surface  1   b . This makes it possible to obtain stronger adhesion between the sealing film  5  and the tube  1   a  than between the sealing film  5  and the upper section  2   a  of the container  1 . It is thus easier to extract the tube  1   a  from the container  1 , more specifically from the sealed engagement thereof within the groove  10  of the bottom  3 , by pulling on the sealing film  5 , the tube  1   a  thereby remaining attached to said sealing film  5 . This is illustrated for example in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the container  1  according to the invention which is intended to contain only one component. There is therefore no tube  1   a  and no partition wall arranged within the container  1  or engaged within the groove  10 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bi-component container  1  according to the invention. It is necessary to extract the inner tube  1   a  in order to mix the components respectively stored within said tube  1   a  and peripherally within the container  1  around said tube  1   a . The latter can also be off-center within the container  1 . 
     The container  1  preferably made of a translucent or opaque plastic material depending upon the nature of the product(s) contained, which may be sensitive to light, in particular to ultraviolet radiation. 
     It may be advantageous to use a hollow stirring rod  12 , illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  which has a shoulder  12   a  in the form of a leading edge at one of the ends thereof as well as positioning notches  12   b  at the other end thereof. It may thus be useful to engage the shoulder  12   a  beneath the flat surface  1   b  of the inner tube  1   a  by pressing with the rod  12 , in particular by means of one of the notches  12   b , on the upper section  2   a . Leverage is thus used to lift and remove the tube  1   a  from the container  1  or to initiate the extraction thereof from the groove  10 . 
     Once the inner tube  1   a  is removed from the container  1 , it is appropriate to mix the two components within said container  1  by means of the stirring rod  12 . For this purpose, the latter is provided with holes  12   c  thereby facilitating the mixing operation. 
     The container  1  is preferably provided with helical rib portions  13  on the upper and outer side of the peripheral side wall  2  such as to constitute a means of connection to a spray gun  14 . Such a connection, known as such, is implemented by means of a lid  15  provided with an outlet opening associated with an adapter. The cover  15  internally comprises mounting means that are complementary to the rib portions  13  in order to be fitted or screwed onto the container  1 . The adapter mounted on the outlet opening makes it possible to connect the tank thus formed to the spray gun  14 . A filter  16  is preferably integrated into the cover  15 . 
     The tank comprising the container  1  and the cover  15  according to the invention, is intended to be mounted onto a paint or spraying tool, for example a spray gun  14 . 
     The present description mainly focuses on the case of a bi-component or mono-component product. The increase in the number of components results in a relative increase in individual additional volumes containing each of them, within the container  1 . 
     If the final product used after mixing for spraying or propelling is for example a paint, a primer, a coating or a varnish, the first component can be a solvent or a binder and the second component a filler or a hardener. 
     The cover  15  advantageously has an adaptation part or piece or adapter that is provided in order to connect the entire tank of the invention to a spray tool. In the case wherein the disposable container  1  of the invention is intended to be mounted onto a spray gun  14 , particularly when gravity fed, the adaptation part or piece comprises a distribution cone or a particular technical form of adaptation to the inlet of the gun  14  such as that shown particularly in  FIG. 16 . The assembly, also referred to as a tank, comprising the container  1  and the cover  15 , thus constitutes a genuine complete cup that is disposable. 
     The container  1 , illustrated for example in  FIG. 17 , comprises reinforcements  17  that are integral with the bottom  3  and a portion  10   a  projecting from the outer surface  3   a , defining the groove  10 . The reinforcements  17 , for example three in number, have a triangular shape and are distributed substantially in the form of a star along the portion  10   a . The reinforcements  17  also extend on either side of the circular extension portion  10   a . The reinforcements  17  thus contribute to limiting or eliminating deformations of the bottom  3 , in particular during the operation of closing or sealing the container  1 , during which said container is subjected to a number of mechanical stresses. 
     Obviously, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above and shown in the various figures, a person skilled in the art being able to make numerous modifications and imagine other variants without going beyond the reach or scope of the invention.