Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PAINT DISPENSING SYSTEM
Background of the Invention
This invention pertains to the art of dispensing
systems and more particularly to a paint dispensing
apparatus and a collapsible pouch or bag assembly. The
invention is particularly applicable to a pouch having a
fitting disposed at one end that is received in the
dispensing apparatus. Through application of pressure, the
dispensing apparatus squeezes paint from the pouch cavity
to through the outlet. Although the invention will be
described with particular reference to this preferred
embodiment, it will be appreciated that the invention has
broader applications and may be advantageously employed in
related environments and applications.
Generally speaking, collapsible bags or pouches
used for storing paint for use with a brush or other
dispensing tip are known in the art. For example, U.S.
Patent NOS. 103,640; 1,475,116; 2,869,162; 2,893,710;
3,960,294; 3,070,824; 3,070,825; 3,918,820; and 5,000,602
generally describe and illustrate known arrangements. Some
of these dispensing apparatus are intended for use in
painting large surface areas as opposed to providing small
amounts of paint as required by an artist or graphic
designer. Moreover, these prior structures are relatively
complex and limited to a particular end use.
Use of a collapsible pouch for storing the paint
typically includes a valve structure to regulate f luid f low
therefrom. Depending on the complexity of the valve, it
often comprises a major portion of the overall cost of the
3o system so that expensive valves are not desirable. A low
cost, reliable valuing arrangement is preferred that can be
easily manipulated by a consumer until a cap is positioned
in place over the outlet to prevent leakage from the pouch.
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It is also desirable to provide a system that is convertible to a
number of different dispensing nozzles or tips. Prior arrangements do not use
the same paint supply pouch assembly for use as a fine tip marker, foam
brush, broad tip marker, paint brush, pump spray, propellant-carried spray, or
even in a painter's pallet. The prior art is not deemed to address this
requirement for versatility. Additionally, known dispensing tips.do not
provide
a reliable structure for dispensing a steady, continuous flow of paint to a
brush
tip.
o Summaryr of the Invention
The present invention contemplates a new and improved paint
dispensing system that overcomes the above-referenced problems and others
and provides a simple, easy to use collapsible paint bag that can be easily
converted for a number of different uses.
~s According to an aspect of the invention, the dispensing
apparatus includes a support surface receiving the pouch thereon. A head is
pivotally mounted at one end of the support surface for receipt over the
fitting.
A pressing member is also mounted to the support surface and adapted for
selective movement toward and away from thesupport surface to squeeze
2o paint from the pouch.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the
pressing member has a tapered configuration
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and is preferably formed from a resilient, compressible
material to gradually urge paint from the pouch.
A principal advantage of the invention resides in
' the simplified construction for dispensing paint or other
fluid from the collapsible pouch.
Another advantage of the invention resides in the
versatility of the pouch and dispensing apparatus for use
in a wide variety of applications.
Yet another advantage of the invention resides in
the ease with which paint flow from the pouch can be
regulated, and dispensed in a controlled manner to a brush
tip.
Still other advantages and benefits of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed
description.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention may take physical form in certain
parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of
which will be described in detail in this specification and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings which show:
FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a
collapsible bag used to store paint;
FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view of the
collapsible bag of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of an empty,
collapsible bag;
3 0 FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the bag of
FIGURE 1 particularly illustrating its configuration when
filled with paint;
FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the bag
shown in FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of a
preferred fitting used in the collapsible paint pouch;
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FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the
fitting of FIGURE 6;
FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-
sectional view of the fitting of FIGURE 6 taken generally
along the lines 7 -7;
FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a preferred blank used
to form the collapsible bag;
FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a preferred cap that
cooperates with the fitting;
FIGURE 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of
the cap of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is an elevational view showing a number
of collapsible paint bags stored on a display unit;
FIGURE 13 is an exploded view of a preferred form
of dispensing apparatus used with the collapsible pouches
of FIGURES I - 12;
FIGURES 14 - 17 are alternative dispensing heads
that may be used with the apparatus shown in FIGURE 13;
FIGURE 18 illustrates an alternative arrangement
2o for securing different attachments to the dispensing
apparatus;
FIGURE 19 is a perspective view of a collapsible
paint pouch of the subject invention used in a propellant
based spray arrangement;
FIGURE 20 is~a perspective view of a pump spray
apparatus used with the collapsible paint pouch;
FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of an alternative
propellant based spray arrangement;
FIGURE 22 is a perspective view of the
collapsible pouch as used in an artist s pallet; and
FIGURE 23 is a longitudinal cross-section of a
preferred attachment for supplying paint to a brush tip.
Detailed Description of the Preferred L~nbodiment
Referring now to the drawings wherein the
showings are for the purposes of illustrating the preferred
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embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of
limiting same, the FIGURES show a collapsible paint pouch
or bag A used with a dispensing, apparatus B in a wide
variety of applications. More particularly, and with
general reference to FIGURES 1 - 5, the collapsible pouch
assembly includes a pouch l0 of generally rectangular
configuration defined by a pair of planar sidewalls 12, 14
interconnected at a first or lower end 16. The remaining
three sides of the rectangular pouch 18, 20, 22 are sealed
together along peripheral portions thereof. According to
the preferred arrangement, a heat seal is formed between
the sidewalls along the peripheral edges since the
collapsible pouch is formed from a single sheet of
polyethylene. When the edges are heated, the polyethylene
material of one sidewall fuses to the other sidewall in a
manner generally well known in the art. The remaining
portions of the sidewall remain unfused and can thereby
expand and contract toward and away from one another so
that fluid (paint) is reliably stored in the internal
cavity. Eventually the paint is dispensed from the pouch
as will be further described below.
Disposed in the second or upper edge 20 of the
pouch is a fitting 30, also preferably formed of a
polyethylene material. More particular details of the
fitting are illustrated in FIGURES 6-8. The fitting has a
planar portion 32 that is heat sealed between the
peripheral edges of the first and second sidewalls. A
generally tubular shaped housing 34 is mounted on one face
of the planar portion 32 and defines a first passage 36
3 0 that is generally aligned with a central axis of the pouch,
forming an outlet 38 at an upper or first end. A second or
inner end 40 of the first passage is temporarily closed by
a thin walled membrane 42 (FIGURE 8). The membrane is
designed to be easily pierced with a sharp object by a
consumer when the pouch is ready for use. Once the
membrane is breached, the first passage communicates with
a second passage 4~ which is oriented in generally
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perpendicular fashion to the first passage, and likewise
substantially perpendicular to the planar portion 32 of the
fitting. The second passage interconnects the internal
cavity of the pouch with the outlet 38 through inlet ~6 and
the first passage. The inlet is formed in a plane
substantially parallel to the sidewalls of the pouch. In
this manner, sidewall 12, which is sealed to the face of
the planar portion 32 that receives the inlet, can be
easily depressed over the opening as represented by
directional arrow 48 in FIGURE 8. When advanced over the
inlet, the sidewall l2 operates like a flap valve to
selectively preclude dispensing of paint to the outlet.
As shown by dotted line in FIGURE 6, the sidewall
upper periphery 20 is heat sealed to the planar portion of
the fitting at an area between the inlet 46 and outlet 38.
Moreover, and as best shown in FIGURE 2, the second
sidewall 14 includes a recessed cutout 50 that accommodates
the fitting housing 34. The sidewall it is fused along its
second edge 20 to the planar portion of the fitting. In
2o this manner, the pouch is sealingly secured along its
periphery.
A raised rib 60 is disposed on an external
surface of the fitting housing adjacent the outlet 38.
Preferably, tre raised rib is circumferentially continuous
and cooperates with a~circumferential groove formed in a
cap, as will be described in greater detail below.
FIGURE 9 illustrates that the sidewalls are
originally formed from a single piece blank having a series
of fold or score lines 62, 64, 66. The score line 62
3o divides the blank into equal portions which become
sidewalls 12, 14 while the closely spaced, parallel fold
lines 64, 66 provide a pleat or bellows type configuration
allowing the cavity of the pouch to be expanded and hold a
greater amount of fluid therein. Cutouts 68 are provided
on the peripheral edges of the blank between the fold lines
to facilitate assembly of the pouch.
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With continued reference to FIGURES 1 - 5, and
additional reference to FIGURES 10 and 11, a lid or cap 80
is shown that is adapted for closing receipt over the
fitting housing 34. In the preferred embodiment, the lid
has a planar portion s2 which is generally a semi-circular
configuration. The diameter of the semi-circle is
substantially equal to the length of the second edge of the
pouch assembly to provide a continuous design to the planar
shape of the pouch. Of course other configurations could
to be used without departing from the scope and intent of the
subject invention. Mounted to one face of the lid planar
portion .is a housing 8 having a hollowed recess 86 adapted
for sliding, interference fit over the outlet of the
fitting. More particularly, the recess 86 includes a
circumferentially continuous groove 88 that cooperates with
the raised rib 60 on the fitting to removably lock the lid
to the fitting. The recess also includes a sealing
projection 90 that extends outwardly toward the open end of
the recess defining an annular recess 92 that seals about
2o the outlet of the fitting. Moreover, a tapered shoulder 9!
reduces the cross section of the annulus so that the lid
provides a tight, sealing fit over the outlet of the
fitting.
The planar portion of the lid also includes an
opening 96 that allows the lid to facilitate hanging the
pouch in a display. As best shown in FIGURE 12, a series
of filled pouch assemblies are hung through openings 96
from an elongated rod 98 associated with a display unit
(not shown). Of course, other display arrangements can be
3o used and this merely illustrates one preferred arrangement
for marketing the pouch assembly.
FIGURE 13 shows a preferred form of dispensing
apparatus used for the collapsible pouch assembly described
above. The illustrated dispensing apparatus B includes a
generally planar support surface 100 having a pair of
spaced sidewalls 102, 104. The sidewalls have a height
dimensioned to receive a completely filled pouch and
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provide lateral support thereto. At one end of the support
surface, the sidewalls include small projections 106 that
face one another and cooperate with a presser member 108,
particularly recesses 110 formed in opposite sides of the
presser member, to define a hinge connection. The presser
member 108 is capable of rotation through approximately
180° so that a second end 112 thereof is disposed away from
the support surface to allow loading of a pouch assembly
onto the support surface.
In the preferred embodiment, the presser member
includes a resilient, sponge-like or other compressible
material 120 secured to an inner face. The compressible
material also has a tapered configuration 122 that
gradually urges the paint in the pouch toward the fitting
opening upon continued depression of the presser member
toward the support surface. In this manner, even if
pressure is applied to the presser member at an area
disposed away from the hinge, the compressible material
will first contact the base of the pouch so that any fluid
2o therein will be advanced toward the fitting.
At the opposite end of the support surface, a
pair of projections 124 cooperate with recesses 126 in a
pivotal head 128. Preferably, the head can move through
approximately 90 so that it will not interfere with
loading and unloading of a pouch assembly to and from the
support surface. The head includes a cavity defined by
wall 13o that supports the edge 20 of the collapsible
pouch. Centrally disposed in the wall is an opening 132
adapted to closely receive the fitting therein. As shown
3o in FIGURE 13, the opening is formed as a generally hollow
cylindrical extension 134 in the wall 130. This structure
permits a number of various attachments to be used with the
paint pouch as shown in FIGURES 14 - 18.
For example, in FIGURE 14 the presser member is
closed over a collapsible bag and upon use of manual force
in area 136, paint can be dispensed through the fitting
opening received in the extension 134. A fine tip marker
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attachment I38 is secured to the extension 134 so that
paint can be dispensed in a fine, thin line. FIGURE 15
illustrates a foam brush attachment 140 that connects to
the extension. It, in turn, spreads ink received from the
fitting opening over a wide area or strip. A broad tip
marker attachment 1l2 is shown in FIGURE 16. It provides
an intermediate width of marking capability relative to the
paint dispensed by the attachments 138, 1~0 of FIGURES 14
and 15. Unless noted to the contrary, the dispensing
apparatus is otherwise identical in structure and
operation. A paint brush attachment 144 is shown in FIGURE
17 and, once again, operates in substantially the same
manner as the embodiments described above.
FIGURE 18 discloses that the extension 134 may
also include a helical thread 150 that facilitates
connecting and disconnecting the attachment assemblies 138,
14o, 142, 1~4 to the dispensing apparatus. Each of the
attachments would likewise include a cooperating thread
(not shown) on an interior portion so that the attachments
could be easily secured to and removed from the head of the
dispensing apparatus as desired.
FIGURE 19 is a perspective view illustrating the
adaptability of the paint pouch to a propellant assembly.
A pressurized propellant is stored in casing 152 to which
a main cap body 15~ is secured. A generally C-shaped clamp
156 extends from the cap body and receives the fitting 30
of a collapsible pouch A. Propellant is directed out of
nozzle 158 in the cap and intermixes with the paint
dispensed through the fitting opening to form an effective
3o spray assembly.
A manual push pump assembly is shown in FIGURE
20. Here, the dispensing apparatus described in FIGURES
13-18 is modified by eliminating the presser member.
Instead, depression of spray nozzle i60 draws paint from
the fitting opening of the pouch and directs it toward the
surface to be painted. A pressurized canister of reduced
size is shown in FIGURE 21. There, the pressurized
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propellant is directed out of nozzle 162 by depressing
lever ls~. The paint is then intermixed with the
propellant for application to a work surface (not shown).
FIGURE 22 illustrates an artist s palette 168
that employs the collapsible pouch assembly A of the
present invention. A series of paint wells 170 are secured
to the fittings of individual pouch assemblies. Each well
includes a cap 172 that is attached by means of a flexible
tether 17~ to the well structures so that they are not
inadvertently misplaced. Moreover, the entire well secured
onto each flexible pouch may be removed from C-shaped
recesses 176 formed in the pallet so that different colors
may be stored on the pallet as desired, or a replacement
pouch assembly easily secured thereto.
Common problems associated with attachments for
supplying paint to a brush tip are that either too little
or too much paint flows from the nozzle or tip resulting in
inconsistent application. Shown in FIGURE 23 is a
preferred design of attachment assembly that includes an
elongated tip 180 adapted for connection to the head of the
dispensing apparatus as described above. At a reduced area
182 of the tip, a flow restrictor 184 is inserted. The
flow restrictor has a helical conformation on its external
surface that controls the flow of paint to a remote end 186
of the tip. The restrictor is closely received in an
intermediate diameter portion of the tip and is connected
at an inner end to a barrel 188 of a brush tip 190. The
barrel is dimensioned for close receipt in the elongated
portion of the tip so that a reservoir of paint can build
up behind the entrance aperture 192. The close fit between
the entrance aperture and the brush pinches the brush as it
extends outwardly from the tip and paint passes outwardly
through the bristles of the brush for use. This preferred
structure provides a smooth, continuous flow of paint to
the brush for a more consistent application of paint to the
work surface.
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The invention has been described with reference
to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and
alterations will occur to others upon a reading and
understanding of this specification. It is intended to
~ include all such modifications and alterations insofar as
they come within the scope of the appended claims or the
equivalents thereof.
