GB2161067A

GB2161067A - Paint roller cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2161067A
Application number: GB08411085A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Bertram Dawson
Original assignee: Atlow Mining Development Consultants Ltd
Current assignee: Atlow Mining Development Consultants Ltd
Priority date: 1984-05-01
Filing date: 1984-05-01
Publication date: 1986-01-08
Also published as: GB8411085D0

Abstract

A device (10) for cleaning a paint roller comprises a cylindrical body (12) adapted to fit over the roller, an inlet (11) for fluid to enter the body and an outlet (14) for fluid to leave the body, the shape of the body being such that, in use, fluid passing from inlet to outlet is directed to flow over the paint roller. The handle support (19) of the roller may be located in a slot (13) in the body. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cleaning device The invention relates to cleaning devices, and is particularly concerned with cleaning paint rollers, paint pads or the like. Paint rollers, paint pads or the like will hereinafter be referred to as "painting instruments".

The application of paint to substantially flat surface areas, particularly, but not exclusively to building interiors is commonly achieved by rollers and pads.

The rollers and pads hold the paint by capillary action of their active surface which are usually short fibre matts or of "sponge" type construction.

If the roller or pad is to be re-used it is necessary to clean thoroughly the active surface of all traces of the paint originally used.

The process of cleaning is normally achieved by repeated manual washing. It is a tedious, messy, time absorbing process which is not uncommonly skimped with resultant loss in efficiency of the painting device.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for cleaning painting instruments having a painting surface, which device comprises a container adapted to fit over the painting instrument, an inlet for fluid to enter the container and an outlet for fluid to leave the container, the shape of the container being such that, in use, fluid passing through the container is directed to flow over and through the painting surface.

The cleaning device may have means for engaging the painting instrument for holding the painting instrument in a desired position in relation to the interior of the cleaning device.

Where the painting instrument is a paint roller having a handle, the cleaning device may be a tube adapted to enclose the roller, and the engaging means may comprise a slot in the tube for engagement by the roller handle. The slot may comprise a portion extending from the end of the tube along the axis of the tube, and a locating portion extending normal to the axis of the tube.

The inlet may be adapted to be engaged by a hose, and the outlet may be adapted for accepting the painting instrument. The outlet may include a flared outer portion for collecting excess paint forced from the painting device as it enters the cleaning device.

The interior surface of the cleaning device may be profiled to direct flow of fluid in a non linear path over and through the painting surface. The interior may be ridged.

By way of example, one embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a cleaning device for a paint roller; Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Fig.

1; Figure 3 is an end view of the device of Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a sectional view on the lines A-A in Fig. 3, with a paint roller in position.

A tubular cleaning device 10 for cleaning a paint roller has an inlet 11 for allowing entry of fluid. The inlet 11 of this embodiment is adapted to engage a hose. The device 10 has a cylindrical body portion 1 2 in which a handle retaining slot 1 3 is formed, and a flared cup portion 14 for collecting paint exuded from a loaded roller as it is pushed into the device 10.

The device 10 is for cleaning a roller shown in Fig. 4, the roller having a spindle 15, roller support a bearings 16, a roller painting surface 1 7 a handle 18, and a handle support 1 9 being a continuation of the spindle 1 5.

The cylindical portion 1 2 of the device 10 is designed to fit snugly round the painting surface 17.

In use, the charged roller is slid into the cup portion 1 4 of the device and then into the body portion 12, the handle support 1 9 engaging the slot 13, twisting of the handle support causing engagement of a locating portion 13' of the slot 1 3. The cup portion 14 holds excess paint exuded from the roller during insertion.

Once the roller is locked in position, the inlet 11 is connected to a supply of solvent, for example water for water based paint.

The solvent is constrained to flow in the annulus between the roller painting surface 1 7 and the body portion 1 2 as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4 through the paint holding mat and thence to the outlet end of the tube for discharge to waste or for re-cycling.

The scouring action of the turbulant flow of the solvent through the mat scours out the paint.

Observation of the colour of outflow indicates when all the paint has been removed.

On completion, the solvent supply is turned off, the roller is unlocked and removed from the device 10 and dried in the normal manner.

A pressure of 2 BAR giving a flow of approximately 10 litres per minute will normally clean a roller 60mm in diameter 250,, long in 10 minutes.

To ensure adequate scouring of the mat fibres which lie on the outer edges of the roller surface the containing cylinder and locking device may be shaped to ensure that the solvent adequately scours these areas.

To increase the scouring action the inner surface of the cylinder may be provided with a ridged surface which constrains the solvent to follow a more tortuous route thus increasing solvent velocity and turbulence and scouring effect.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and that modifications are contemplated within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended Claims.

Claims

1. A device for cleaning painting instruments having a painting surface, which device comprises a container adapted to fit over the painting instrument, an inlet for fluid to enter the container and an outlet for fluid to leave the container, the shape of the container being such that, in use, fluid passing through the container is directed to flow over and through the painting surface.

2. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 comprising means for engaging the painting instrument for holding the painting instrument in a desired position in relation to the interior of the cleaning device.

3. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 2 for use with a painting instrument in the form of a paint roller having a handle, wherein the cleaning device is a tube adapted to enclose the roller and the engaging means comprise a slot in the tube for engagement by the roller handle.

4. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the slot comprises a portion extending from the end of the tube along the axis of the tube and a locating portion extending normal to the axis of the tube.

5. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the inlet is adapted to be engaged by a hose.

6. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the outlet is adapted for accepting the painting instrument.

7. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the outlet includes a flared outer portion for collecting excess paint forced from the painting device as it enters the cleaning device.

8. A cleaning device as claimed in any preceding Claim having an interior surface profiled to direct flow of fluid in a non linear path over and through the painting surface.

9. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the interior surface is ridged.

10. A cleaning device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.