Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DISPOSABLE PAINT CUP
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed generally to a fluid supply assembly for a
fluid
applicator, and more particularly to a disposable cup for a fluid supply
assembly having varying
sidewall thicknesses.
Some fluid applicators, such as gravity feed paint spray guns, have a fluid
supply cup
mounted on top of the fluid applicator. The fluid supply cup is typically
reusable. Fluid, such as
paint, is generally measured and mixed in a separate container, and then
poured into the fluid
supply cup for use. The container for measuring and mixing must be either
cleaned or disposed
of.
Reducing paint waste is an important consideration because the cost for a
typical mixed
paint is over $1.00 per fluid ounce.
Attempts have been made to provide fluid supply assemblies which reduce the
amount of
wasted paint. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,582,350 describes a hand held
spray gun with a
top mounted paint cup. The paint can be sealed in a collapsible closed bag in
the paint cup,
eliminating the need for a vent. Using the closed bag, the gun can be operated
at all angles
without the paint leaking out of the vent in the paint cup. The use of the
closed bag also allows
more of the paint to be used. In addition, it reduces cleanup time and cost
because the bag keeps
the paint cup clean. Thus, U.S. Patent No. 5,582,350 represented a significant
advance in the art.
Paint cups with outer containers and disposable cups have also been developed.
Typically, the sidewalls of the disposable cup have a uniform thickness in the
range of about
0.003 in. to about 0.007 in. The disposable cup collapses as the paint is
dispensed. However,
this creates random sidewall folds, forming pockets in which paint can become
trapped.
Depending on the capacity of the cup, this can result in 1 to 2 ounces of
unused paint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, there remains a need for an improved disposable cup which reduces
paint
waste.
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The present invention meets this need by providing a flexible, disposable cup.
The
disposable cup comprises a side wall, an open outlet end, and a closed bottom
defining an
interior. The sidewall has a first portion adjacent to the outlet end, a
second portion adjacent to
the bottom, and a third portion between the outlet end and the bottom, the
first and second
portions having a thickness greater than a thickness of the third portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is side elevation view of a gravity-feed paint sprayer with a fluid
supply assembly.
Fig. 2 is an exploded side sectional view of one embodiment of a fluid supply
assembly.
Fig. 3 is partial side sectional view of the assembled connection between the
reusable cup
holder and reusable outer lid.
Fig. 4 is a partial side sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the
reusable outer lid
showing stacking of the fluid supply assemblies.
Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the disposable
lid.
Fig. 6 is an assembled side sectional view of the alternate embodiment of the
disposable
lid of Fig. 5 and the disposable cup.
Fig. 7 is a side sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the disposable
cup.
Fig. 8 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the disposable cup.
Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of the disposable cup of Fig. 8 in one axis.
Fig. 10 is a side sectional view of the disposable cup of Fig. 8 in another
axis.
Fig. 11 is a partial assembled side sectional view of the connection between
one
embodiment of an adapter and the reusable outer lid.
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Fig. 12 is a top view of the adapter of Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is a top view of the assembled connection of Fig. 11 before rotation
(without the
filter).
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of reusable outer lid.
Fig. 15 is a top view of the assembled connection of Fig. 11 after rotation
(without the
filter).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A fluid supply assembly attached to a fluid applicator is shown in Fig. 1. In
one
embodiment, the fluid supply assembly is for feeding liquid, such as paint, to
the fluid applicator,
such as a paint sprayer. The present invention will be described for a paint
sprayer, such as a
gravity feed paint sprayer for use in applying paint to coat substrate
surfaces. The paint sprayer
can be used in the automotive refinishing market, such as automobile body
shops, for repainting
automobiles. Although the fluid supply assembly is described for a paint
sprayer, it is not
limited to such use. It can be used for supplying other flowable liquids,
including, but not
limited to, beverages, foods, condiments (such as ketchup), gasoline,
petrochemicals and
hydrocarbons, water, water-based solutions, solvent-based solutions,
emulsions, adhesives, and
the like.
Referring to Fig. 1, a paint sprayer 10 is shown. It includes a body 15, a
nozzle assembly
20 secured to a front end 25 of body 15, and a handle 30 depending from a rear
end 35 of body
15. A trigger 40 is pivotally secured to body 15 for the manual actuation of
sprayer 10. A top-
mounted paint supply assembly 45 is mounted to body 15 near front end 25 for
feeding paint to
nozzle assembly 20. An air connector 50 is connected to an air hose (not
shown) for the delivery
of pressurized air to nozzle assembly 20, wherein the delivery of pressurized
air is controlled by
trigger 40.
Compressed air from air connector 50 is delivered through an internal passage
(not
shown) to nozzle assembly 20 and the compressed air acts to atomize paint and
deliver it through
nozzle assembly 20 to spray paint about paint axis 55. Paint is delivered to
nozzle assembly 20
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from paint supply assembly 45.
Figs. 1-3 show a first embodiment of paint supply assembly 45. The paint
supply
assembly includes disposable cup 55. Disposable cup 55 has a side wall 60
which is generally
cylindrical. The outlet end 65 at the top of the cup is open, and the bottom
70 is closed. The
side wall 60, outlet end 65, and bottom 70 define an interior 75.
The disposable cup has flexible side walls which are designed to allow the
disposable cup
to collapse with a minimum of folds and use almost all of the paint. The side
walls adjacent to
the outlet end and the bottom are thicker than the middle portion of the
sidewall. With this
arrangement, the cup appears almost to roll inside out as it collapses. The
sidewall adjacent to
the outlet end and the bottom can be about two to about three times thicker
than the middle of the
sidewall. For example, the sidewalls adjacent to the outlet end and the bottom
can be about
0.006 in. to about 0.015 in., while the middle portion is about 0.003 in. to
about 0.005 in. The
thicker portions adjacent to the outlet end and the bottom can cover about'/4
of the sidewall, if
desired. One of skill in the art will understand that other thickness can be
used, as well as other
ratios of the thicker end portions to the thinner middle portion.
The bottom can be in the range of about 0.003 to about 0.02 in., so that the
bottom will
remain substantially flat as the side walls collapse, if desired. No air vent
is needed in the
disposable cup because the side walls collapse. This allows the user to
discharge the paint
sprayer at any angle without leaks and to use more of the paint in the cup
than is possible with
conventional gravity feed paint cups.
The outlet end 65 defines an axis 80. There is a flange 85 extending outward
and
downward from the edge of the outlet end 65. The flange 85 extends downward at
an angle a in
a range of from about 10 to about 70 from the axis 80 of the outlet end 65.
The disposable cup 55 can be made of transparent or translucent plastic if
desired.
Suitable plastics include, but are not limited to, low density polyethylene.
If desired, the disposable cup can be made of an antistatic material, which
dissipates the
static charge which can develop during manufacture, storage, and use. The term
"antistatic
material" is intended to include conventional antistatic materials, as well as
static dissipative
materials, i.e., materials which have the ability to discharge static charges
at a rate higher than
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typical antistatic additives, arid' conductive materials, which have the
ability to discharge
electrostatic charges rapidly. Generally, the antistatic material comprises a
polymeric material
containing an antistatic additive. Suitable polymeric materials include, but
are limited to,
polyethylene, polypropylene, or other soft, flexible polymers. Suitable
antistatic additives
include, but are not limited to, long-chain aliphatic amines and amides,
phosphates, quaternary
ammonium compounds, polyethylene glycols, glycol esters, ethoxylated long-
chain aliphatic
amines, polymeric antistatic additives composed of hydrophilic copolymers,
intrinsic conductive
polymers, such as polyaniline and polythiophene, and conductive fillers, such
as carbon black,
metal powder and fibers, and graphite fibers.
Reusable cup holder 90 is generally cylindrical. It has a side wa1195, an open
upper end
100, and a lower end 105. The lower end 105 has an opening 110 in it. The
opening 110 can
cover all or almost all of the lower end 105, if desired. Alternatively, the
lower end 105 could
have one or more smaller openings. The opening 110 in the lower end 105 allows
ambient air
pressure to help the disposable cup collapse during use. Optionally, the
reusable cup holder 90
can include one or more legs 112 extending downward from the lower end 105.
The legs can
extend all of the way around the opening 110 (i.e., a circular rib) or only a
part of the way around
the opening 110. The legs 112 can assist in stacking the fluid supply
assemblies as described
below.
The upper end 100 defines an axis 115. A flange 120 extends outward and
downward
from an edge of the upper end 100. The flange 120 extends downward at an angle
0 in a range of
from about 10 to about 70 from the axis 115 of the upper end 100. The angle
(3 is substantially
the same as the angle a of the flange 85 of disposable cup 55. When the
disposable cup 55 is
placed in the reusable cup holder 90, the flange 120 of reusable cup holder 90
supports the flange
85 of the disposable cup 55.
There is a connecting surface 125 at the upper end 100 of the reusable cup
holder 90.
The connecting surface 125 can be on the sidewall, extend out from the side
wall, or it can
extend outward from the end of the flange 120, if desired.
The reusable cup holder 90 can be made of a rigid plastic, including, but not
limited to,
polypropylene or high density polyethylene. Desirably, the plastic selected is
strong enough that
the reusable cup holder can withstand the clamping force of a paint shaker
machine. The plastic
is desirably transparent or translucent, although it could be opaque. If an
opaque plastic is used,
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tlie sicte waii snouia nave eiongatea openings in it so that the disposable
cup and its contents can
be seen. Typically, the walls can be in the range of from about 0.02 in. to
about 0.08 in. thick.
The disposable lid 130 has a generally frustoconical portion 135. The outer
edge 140 of
the generally frustoconical portion 135 defines an axis 145. The angle y of
the outer edge 140 of
the generally frustoconical portion 135 is in a range of from about 10 to
about 70 from the axis
145. The angle y is substantially the same as the angle a of the flange 85 of
disposable cup 55.
The disposable lid 130 fits over the disposable cup 55, and the edge 140 of
the disposable lid 130
mates with the flange 85 of the disposable cup 55. The inside of the
disposable lid 130 can have
a downward extending rib 150, if desired. The downward extending rib 150
extends into the
interior 75 of the disposable cup and mates with the inside of the side wall
60 of the disposable
cup 55, forming a seal. Additionally, there can be a downwardly projecting
sealing bead 155 on
the inside of the disposable lid 130. The downwardly projecting sealing bead
155 mates with the
flange 85 of the disposable cup 55 to aid in forming a seal.
There is a fitting 160 integrally connected to the generally frustoconical
portion 135. The
fitting 160 has an opening 165 extending through it.
The disposable lid 130 can be made of a transparent, translucent, or opaque
plastic.
Suitable plastics include, but are not limited to, polypropylene or high
density polyethylene.
The reusable outer lid 170 has a generally frustoconical portion 175. The
outer edge 180
of the generally frustoconical portion 175 defines an axis 185. The angle 8 of
the outer edge 180
of the generally frustoconical portion 175 is in a range of from about 10 to
about 70 from the
axis 185. The angle S is substantially the same as the angle 0 of the flange
120 of reusable cup
holder 90. The outer edge 180 of the reusable outer lid 170 mates with the
flange 120 of the
reusable cup holder 90. There is a complementary connecting surface 190 at the
outer edge 180
of the reusable outer lid 170. In this embodiment, the complementary
connecting surface 190
extends downward from the outer edge 180, although other arrangements are
possible. The
complementary connecting surface 190 mates with the connecting surface 125 of
the reusable
cup holder 90 to seal the reusable cup holder 90 and reusable outer lid 170
together.
The reusable outer lid has a fitting 195 integrally connected to the generally
frustoconical
portion 175. The fitting 195 has an opening 200 extending through it. The
fitting 160 of the
disposable lid 130 fits into the fitting 195 of the reusable outer lid 170.
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The reusable outer lid 170 can be made of a strong, tough plastic. Desirably,
the plastic
selected is strong enough that the reusable outer lid can withstand the
clamping force of a paint
shaker machine. Examples of suitable plastic include, but are not limited to,
acetal. Acetal is not
typically transparent. The reusable outer lid 170 can include one or more
sight holes so that the
paint level is visible to the user, if desired. The sight hole can also allow
the user to write the
name of the name of the paint type on the disposable lid, and it permits easy
removal of the
disposable lid from the reusable outer lid.
A conduit 210 connects the fluid supply assembly to the paint sprayer 10. The
conduit
210 mates with the fitting 195 of the reusable outer lid 170 and the fitting
160 of the disposable
lid 130. The conduit 210 has an opening 215 through it. There is a path for
fluid to flow from
the interior 75 of the disposable cup 55 through the opening 165 in the
disposable lid 130
through the opening 215 in conduit 210 to the paint sprayer 10. An optional
filter 220 can be
placed into the opening 215 in the conduit 210, the opening 200 in the
reusable outer lid 170, or
the opening 165 in the disposable lid 130 to filter out impurities.
In order to use the fluid supply assembly, the disposable cup 55 is placed
into the
reusable cup holder 90. The flange 85 of the disposable cup 55 mates with the
flange 120 of the
reusable cup holder 90. The flange 85 centers the disposable cup 55 in the
reusable cup holder
90.
Optionally, there can be indicia 230 on either the disposable cup 55 or the
reusable cup
holder 90 or both. The indicia 230 can be molded in the side, printed on the
side, a label can be
attached to the side, or the indicia can be supplied in some other fashion.
The indicia 230 can be
used to measure paint components. Alternatively, the disposable cup and
reusable cup holder
can be used on a scale, or with a measuring stick to measure the paint
components.
The indicia can include mixing scales with one or more mixing ratios, e.g.,
4:1 mixing
ratio, 2:1 mixing ratio; 3:2:1 mixing ratio, etc. Each mixing ratio might
include one or more
different sized divisions so that different amounts of fluid could be measured
using each mixing
ratio. The indicia can also include one or more universal scales, i.e., scales
with equal sized
divisions. One universal scale might have 20 equal divisions, another 10 equal
divisions, a third
equal divisions. There can be as many universal scales as needed. The multiple
universal
scales allow the user to measure different amounts of fluid without using the
mixing ratio scales,
which would not have to be included. The user could select the appropriate
universal scale based
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on tne amount or nuia neeaec.
Alternatively, the measuring guide could have indicia printed on a clear,
thin, flat, plastic
sheet. The plastic sheet has connecting parts on opposite sides of the sheet,
including, but not
limited to, tabs and slots. The plastic sheet is formed into a cylinder, and
the tabs are inserted
into the slots. The measuring guide can be placed on the table, and the
disposable cup, or the
reusable cup holder with the disposable cup in it, can be placed inside the
cylinder. After the
paint components are measured, the disposable cup (and the reusable cup holder
if present) is
removed from the cylinder. This can be done by lifting the disposable cup by
the flange, or by
disconnecting the tabs and slots on the sheet. Optional removal tabs on the
flange 180 degrees
apart can assist in removing the disposable cup. The disposable cup can then
be placed in the
reusable cup holder (if not already there). This measuring guide improves
visibility and
accuracy in measuring the paint components. The rectangular shape is easy to
manufacture. It
eliminates the necessity for accurate placement of a label on the disposable
cup or reusable cup
holder. It also allows more direct viewing of the indicia than with the label
(i.e., through the
label, the reusable cup holder, and the disposable cup). It is particularly
advantageous when a
smaller diameter disposable cup is used because the indicia can be placed
right next to the
disposable cup. Finally, if the disposable cup is used alone, the reusable cup
holder stays cleaner
because it is not used when pouring and measuring paint.
The sheets may be formed in different sizes so that the measuring guides can
be used
with different sizes of disposable cups. A larger sheet could be used with the
reusable cup holder
and/or the larger disposable cup. The cylinder formed by the larger sheet is
big enough so that
the reusable cup holder and/or the larger disposable cup fit inside. The
larger sheet could include
a marking, such as a dotted line near the bottom, to allow proper alignment of
the indicia
depending whether the larger disposable cup is used with the reusable cup
holder or not. The
entire sheet might be used when the larger disposable cup is used with a
reusable cup holder
having legs. When the larger disposable cup is used alone (or the reusable cup
does not affect
the alignment, e.g. because it does not have legs), the sheet could be cut at
the marking. This
allows proper alignment in either situation. A smaller sheet could be used
when a smaller
disposable cup is used. The reusable cup holder would not generally be used
with the smaller
disposable cup when measuring fluid in order to provide proper alignment of
the indicia and the
smaller disposable cup.
After the disposable cup 55 is filled with paint, the disposable lid 130 is
placed on top of
the disposable cup 55. The angle y of the edge 140 of disposable lid 130 is
substantially the
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same as the angle a of tlie ttange 'x5 ot'disposable cup 55 so that the edge
140 of disposable lid
130 mates with the flange 85 of the disposable cup 55. The angle y centers the
disposable lid
130 on the disposable cup 55. The angle y of the disposable lid 130 also
allows for additional
sealing area without an increase in the overall outside diameter of the fluid
supply assembly.
The downward extending rib 150 on the inside of the disposable lid 130 fits
inside the
disposable cup 55. There can be one or more downward extending ribs 150 around
the
disposable lid 130 which extend part way around the inside of the disposable
lid 55, or the rib
can extend all the way around. The downward extending rib 150 keeps the
disposable lid 55 in
place, and it can also act as a seal. The disposable lid 55 can also have a
downwardly extending
sealing bead 155 which contacts the flange 85 of the disposable cup 55 to
improve sealing.
The reusable outer lid 170 is placed on top of the disposable lid 130. It is
tightened to the
reusable cup holder 90 using the connecting surface 125 of the reusable cup
holder 90 and the
complementary connecting surface 190 of the reusable outer lid 170. Suitable
connecting
surfaces and complementary connecting surfaces include, but are not limited
to, threaded
connections, lugs and grooves, and pins and slots.
The outer edge 180 of the reusable outer lid 170 has an angle S which is
substantially the
same as the angle 0 of the flange 120 of reusable cup holder 90. The
tightening of the reusable
outer lid 170 to the reusable cup holder 90 clamps the edge 140 of disposable
lid 130 and flange
85 of disposable cup 55 together between edge 180 of reusable outer lid 170
and flange 120 of
reusable cup holder 90. The angle increases the clamping force without an
increase in torque.
The angles a of the flange 85 of disposable cup 55, y of the edge 140 of
disposable lid
130, (3 of flange 120 of reusable cup holder 90, and b of edge 180 of reusable
outer lid 170 are
generally in the range of about 10 to about 70 from the respective axis,
typically about 20 to
about 60 , inore typically about 30 to about 50 , more typically about 35 to
about 45 .
When the angles a and y of the flange 85 of disposable cup 55 and the edge 140
of
disposable lid 130 match the angle at which the fluid supply assembly is
attached to the paint
sprayer so that in use the disposable lid is substantially parallel to the
paint axis of the paint
sprayer, almost all of the paint in the disposable cup is used.
A plug 235 can be used to cover the fitting 160 on the disposable lid 130. The
plug 235
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can 'frt inside or outside of the fitting 160. '1'he plug 230 seals the
opening 165 in the fitting 160
for shaking or storage.
In one embodiment, the fluid supply assembly is strong enough to be placed in
a paint
shaker machine without any additional support.
The conduit 210 is placed into the fitting 195 in the reusable outer lid 170.
An optional
filter 220 is inserted in the opening 215 of the conduit 210. Alternatively,
the filter 220 could be
placed in the fitting 160 of the disposable lid 130 or the fitting 195 of the
reusable outer lid 170.
The filter 220 can have a projection 225, if desired, which prevents the
collapsing disposable cup
55 from blocking the opening 165 through to the conduit 210. Projection 225
can also be used to
remove the filter 220 for cleaning or disposal. The conduit 210 can be filled
with solvent and
plugged for storage, if desired. If an inside fitting plug 235 is used for the
fitting 160 on the
disposable cup 130, the same size plug may also fit in the conduit.
The fluid supply assembly is attached to the conduit 210. The conduit 210
connects to
the reusable outer lid 170 and the paint sprayer 10 and provides a flow path
from the interior 75
of the disposable cup 55 to the paint sprayer 10.
Various types of conduits could be used, as are well known to those of skill
in the art.
For example, U.S. Serial No. 10/458,436, filed June 10, 2003, entitled
"Friction Fit Paint Cup
Connection" describes a suitable conduit.
Another suitable conduit is shown in Figs. 11-15. The conduit can be an
adapter 505 for
connecting between paint sprayer 10 and outer lid 508. Adapter 505 includes a
first end 510
engagable with paint sprayer 10, shown in Fig. 1, a second end 515 engagable
with reusable
outer lid 508, and a hollow bore 520 between first end 510 and second end 515.
In one embodiment, the first end 510 has a diameter smaller than the second
end 515.
The first end 510 is generally cylindrical in shape. The first end 510 has a
connecting surface
525 for engaging with a complementary connecting surface 530 on the paint
sprayer 10. Suitable
connecting surface 525 and complementary connecting surface 530 include, but
are not limited
to, threading helical surfaces, lugs and grooves, tapered connections, bayonet
connections, snap
connections, or first end 510 can be integral with paint sprayer 10 so that
the adapter 505 is a
feed conduit into sprayer 10. Desirably, the connecting surface 525 and
complementary
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conriecting surface 5'30are t'h'reads ot"a fyypical size and pitch for paint
sprayers so that the fluid
supply assembly can be used with any of several sprayers.
The second end 515 has a portion having a first shape 535 and a portion having
a second
shape 540. The portion having a first shape 535 can be flat and the portion
having the second
shape 540 can be curved, if desired. Alternatively, the portion having the
first shape can have a
simple or complex shape, including, but not limited to, curved outward or
inward. If the portion
having the first shape is curved, it should have a different curvature from
that of the portion
having the second shape. The portion having the second shape can also have a
shape other than
curved. Desirably, the second end 515 has opposing flat portions 535 and
opposing curved
portions 540. There can be one or more curved portions, and one or more flat
portions.
Desirably, there are two opposing flat portions and two opposing curved
portions.
The outer lid 508 has an integral generally cylindrical fitting 545 with an
opening 550
therethrough. The opening 550 is generally circular. The opening 550 in the
outer lid 508 has at
least one tab 555 extending inward at the upper edge of the opening 550. Tab
555 has a shape
that allows the portion having the first shape to pass next to it, but not the
portion having the
second shape, so that the second end 515 can be inserted into opening 550. If
a flat portion 535
is used, tab 555 is typically flat. Tab 555 can be at the edge of the upper
end of the fitting 545,
or it can be downward from the edge, as desired.
There is at least one horizontal stop 560 in opening 550 below tab 555. Second
end 515
has a height so that it fits between horizontal stop 560 and tab 555 of the
fitting 545 so that the
second end 515 enters only the desired distance. When second end 515 hits
horizontal stop 560,
the adapter 505 is rotated to lock the fluid supply assembly to the paint
sprayer 10, as shown in
Fig. 15. Alternatively, the outer lid 508 could be rotated onto the adapter
505. When the adapter
505 is rotated, tabs 555 are engaged with the top of curved portion 540 of
second end 515.
There is at least one vertical stop 562 on the inside of opening 550. Vertical
stop 562
prevents the adapter 505 from rotating so far that the flat portions 535 again
become mated with
the tabs 555 so that the adapter 505 could become disengaged. Vertical stops
562 can extend
from tab 555 to horizontal stop 560, if desired. Alternatively, vertical stops
562 can extend part
of the distance between tab 555 and horizontal stop 560.
The adapter 505 cannot be rotated until it is fully inserted into opening 550
because of
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flatlportions 515 and"curved portions 540 of second end 515, flat tabs 555 of
the fitting 545, and
the height of second end 515. This prevents the fluid supply assembly from
falling off the
adapter 505 due to improper assembly of the connection. In addition, the sides
of fitting 545
support the curved portion 540 of second end 515 which reduces the ability of
second end 515 to
move within fitting 545. This helps to provide a stable connection between the
fluid supply
assembly and the adapter.
The disposable lid 565 has a fitting 570. As the second end 515 of the adapter
505 enters
the fitting 545 of the outer lid 508, the fitting 570 of the disposable lid
565 enters the bore 520 of
the adapter 505. This connects the interior of the fluid supply assembly to
the passageway in the
spray gun.
An alternate embodiment for the reusable outer lid is shown in Fig. 4. In this
embodiment, the reusable outer lid 300 has an inner portion 305 and an outer
portion 310. The
outer portion 310 is generally frustoconical. The outer edge 315 defines an
axis 320. The angle
Sa of the outer edge 315 is in a range of from about 10 to about 70 from the
axis 320. As in the
first embodiment, the angle 8a is substantially the same as the angle (3 of
the flange 120 of
reusable cup holder 90.
The inner portion 305 is substantially flat. Alternatively, it could be at an
angle different
from the angle 8a of the outer edge 315. It can optionally include one or more
upward extending
prongs 325. The prongs 325 can extend all or part of the way around the
reusable outer lid 300.
They can be positioned to mate with the legs 112 of an adjacent reusable cup
holder 90a,
allowing the fluid supply assemblies to be stacked on top of one another.
If the distance across the legs 112 of the reusable cup holder is smaller than
the diameter
of the lower end of the reusable cup and the reusable cup holder is to be used
in a paint shaker, it
may be desirable to include a second ring on the bottom of the reusable cup
holder. The second
ring should be the same (or substantially the same) diameter as the lower end
of the reusable cup
holder in order to transfer the paint shaker's clamping force to the side wall
of the reusable cup
holder, reducing deflection of the bottom of the reusable cup holder.
The reusable outer lid has a fitting 330 integrally connected to the inner
portion 305. The
fitting 330 has an opening 335 extending through it.
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"l'he outer edge 315 ot the reusable outer lid 300 mates with the flange 120
of the reusable
cup holder 90. There is a complementary connecting surface 340 at the outer
edge 315 of the
reusable outer lid 300. The complementary connecting surface 340 mates with
the connecting
surface 125 of the reusable cup holder 90 to seal the reusable cup holder 90
and reusable outer
lid 300 together.
An alternative embodiment of the disposable lid is shown in Figs. 5-6. The
disposable lid
350 has an inner portion 355 and an outer portion 360. The outer portion 360
is generally
frustoconical. The outer edge 365 of the outer portion 360 defines an axis
370. The angle ya of
the outer edge 365 of the outer portion 360 is in a range of from about 10 to
about 70 from the
axis 370. As in the first embodiment, the angle ya is substantially the same
as the angle a of the
flange 85 of disposable cup 55.
The inner portion 355 has a generally frustoconical part 375 and an upwardly
extending
projection 380 at the outer end. The upwardly extending projection 380 is
connected to the outer
portion 360. There is a fitting 385 integrally connected to the inner portion
355. The fitting 385
has an opening 390 extending through it.
The outer portion 360 mates with the flange 85 of the disposable cup 55. The
upwardly
extending projection 380 fits inside the outlet end 65 the disposable cup 55
forming an additional
seal.
Alternate embodiments of the disposable cup are shown in Figs. 7-10. In Fig.
7, the
disposable cup 400 has a generally cylindrical lower side wall portion 405, a
generally
frustoconical intermediate side wall portion 415, and a generally cylindrical
upper side wall
portion 420.
The outlet end 425 at the top of the disposable cup 400 is open, and the
bottom 430 is
closed. The lower side wall portion 405, intermediate side wall portion 415,
and upper side wall
portion 420, outlet end 425, and bottom 430 define an interior 435. The
interior 435 is smaller
than the interior 75. The smaller diameter of the lower side wall portion
allows accurate
measuring of the paint ratios when less paint is to be used.
The outlet end 425 defines an axis 440. There is a flange 445 extending
outward and
downward from the edge of the outlet end 425. The flange 445 extends downward
at an angle aa
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in a range ot trom about 1 0- to about "IU- from the axis 440 of the outlet
end 425. The outlet end
425 is adapted to be placed into the reusable cup holder, so it sized to fit
in the reusable cup
holder.
Alternatively, the generally cylindrical lower side wall portion could be off
centered, i.e.,
not concentric with the upper side wall portion. This would bring the lower
side wall portion
close to the side wall of the reusable cup holder, allowing easy reading of
any measuring indicia.
In Figs. 8-10, the disposable cup 450 has a generally elliptical lower side
wall portion
455, and intermediate side wall portion 460 extending from the lower side wall
portion to the
generally cylindrical upper side wall portion 465.
The outlet end 470 at the top of the disposable cup 450 is open, and the
bottom 475 is
closed. The lower side wall portion 455, intermediate side wall portion 460,
and upper side wall
portion 465, outlet end 470, and bottom 475 define an interior 480. The
interior 480 is smaller
than the interior 75. The elliptical shape makes it easier to read the indicia
for measuring paint
because the disposable cup extends close to the reusable cup holder. The
longer axis of the
ellipse can extend all or substantially all the way across the diameter of the
reusable cup holder,
or something less than all or substantially all the way across the diameter.
The outlet end 470 defines an axis 485. There is a flange 490 extending
outward and
downward from the edge of the outlet end 470. The flange 490 extends downward
at an angle aa
in a range of from about 10 to about 70 from the axis 485 of the outlet end
470. The outlet end
470 is adapted to be placed into the reusable cup holder, so it sized to fit
in the reusable cup
holder.
In these embodiments, the distance, across the outlet end of the disposable
cup is greater
than the distance across the bottom in at least one direction. The smaller
portion of the
disposable cup can extend the entire height of the side wall or less than the
entire height of the
side wall. If the side wall is cylindrical, and the smaller diameter portion
extends the entire
height of the sidewall, it can be connected to the flange by a flat annular
portion. If it does not
extend the entire height of the side wall, it can be can be connected by a
generally frustoconical
upper side wall portion. Other side wall arrangements are possible, as are
well known to those of
skill in the art.
This embodiment of the disposable cup can be used with the reusable cup holder
and
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outer lid and disposablelid without any modification to the assembly, allowing
different sizes of
disposable cups to be used in the fluid supply assembly.
The fluid supply assembly has been shown and described with the disposable cup
and
reusable cup holder being generally cylindrical, which is a typical shape
because of ease of
manufacture and use. However, it could be made in other shapes, including, but
not limited to,
square, triangular, pentagonal, elliptical, etc.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for
purposes of
illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that various changes in the
compositions and methods disclosed herein may be made without departing from
the scope of
the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
