Patent ID: 8443755

Claim:
A paint applicator system for applying paint using an applicator connected to a remote paint reservoir, the system comprising: a paint applicator of the type which draws paint by vacuum for application to a surface to be coated by the paint; a paint reservoir and pump located remote from the paint applicator and connected thereto by a paint delivery tube, the pump delivering paint at a pressure greater than zero through the delivery tube; and a paint regulator located at the paint applicator and modulating a supply of the paint from the paint delivery tube to a paint compression chamber at a low level of vacuum that is below atmospheric pressure, wherein the paint regulator comprises: a housing having an inlet configured to receive paint from the paint delivery tube and an outlet configured to supply the paint to the paint compression chamber, a stopper located in the housing between the inlet and outlet and movable between a seated position wherein flow is blocked between the inlet and outlet, and an unseated position wherein flow is permitted between the inlet and outlet, a spring urging the stopper to the seated position, and a diaphragm responsive to a level of vacuum at the outlet of the housing to urge the stopper toward the unseated position.