WO1996033076A1

WO1996033076A1 - Paint roller cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1996033076A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/000918
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arthur Albert Gould
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-04-19
Filing date: 1996-04-17
Publication date: 1996-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 1997-10-19
Also published as: GB9507949D0; AU5340096A

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water based solutions to surfaces, comprises a housing (1) for receiving a roller (3) to be cleaned, support means by which a roller can be positioned within the housing for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a manifold (8) within the housing with its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of a roller when mounted within the housing, means (10) for connecting the manifold interior to a source of water under pressure at a position approximately halfway along the length of the manifold, and a plurality of orifices (9) formed in the manifold through which discrete jets of water are discharged towards and onto a surface of such a roller. The orifices are evenly spaced along the manifold length with the orifices on one side of the position at which the manifold communicates with the connection means being substantially at the same distances from this position as the respective orifices on the other side of the position. The orifices are so positioned and aligned that the jets make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the axis of rotation of the roller.

Description

Paint Roller Cleaning Apparatus

This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water based solutions to such surfaces as walls and ceilings for such purposes as, for example, decoration.

In my British Patent Application GB 2247163A, there is disclosed apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water-based solutions to surfaces. This roller cleaning apparatus includes a housing within which a roller to be cleaned is mounted on fixed spigots for rotation about its longitudinal axis. Discrete jets of water are discharged onto the surface of the roller at positions offset from its axis of rotation, each jet overlapping with its neighbouring jets to present a continuous liquid front along the entire length of the roller.

The present invention is an improvement to this apparatus.

More especially, I have developed an improved way of supplying water to the nozzles through which the water jets emerge which maximises the pressure at which water is discharged from the nozzles and ensures that all jets contribute to effective cleaning of a roller placed in the housing.

In my co-pending British Patent Application 9415444.0 there is described paint roller cleaning apparatus in which water is delivered to the nozzles by a motor-driven pump. While this apparatus demonstrates significant increases in roller cleaning times, the presence of a pump adds to the overall cost of the apparatus.

The present Application sets out to provide roller cleaning apparatus which does not require the presence of a motor to achieve enhanced roller cleaning times.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water based solutions to surfaces, the apparatus comprising a housing for receiving a roller to be cleaned, support means by which a roller can be positioned within the housing for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a manifold within the housing with its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of a roller when mounted within the housing, means for connecting the manifold interior to a source of water under pressure at a position approximately halfway along the length of the manifold, and a plurality of orifices formed in the manifold through which discrete jets of water are discharged towards and onto a surface of such a roller, the orifices being evenly spaced along the manifold length with the orifices on one side of the position at which the manifold communicates with the connection means being substantially at the same distances from this position as the respective orifices on the other side of the position, and the orifices being so positioned and aligned that the jets make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the axis of rotation of the roller.

Means may be provided within the manifold at the aforesaid position to direct water in substantially equal amounts towards the two ends of the manifold. This direction means may comprise a substantially conical protrusion positioned opposite the open end of the connection means which may comprise a pipe connectable to a source of water by a hose. A tap may be positioned along the length of the pipe.

Preferably, each said jet overlaps with its neighbouring jet or jets to present a continuous liquid front along substantially the entire length of the roller.

The support means may be separable from the housing and may include spindles capable of protruding into the open ends of a roller shaft, these support means being shaped and dimensioned to preclude rotation relative to the housing during use and the spindles being dimensioned to allow for rotation of the roller relative to the housing.

The manifold may be circular in cross section; the manifold ends may be retained within collars extending inwardly into the housing from end caps of the housing.

In another aspect, the present invention provides paint roller cleaning apparatus comprising a housing, means for supporting a roller to be cleaned within the housing whilst enabling the roller to spin freely about its longitudinal axis, means for conveying water to a manifold positioned within the housing through a port positioned generally midway between the manifold ends, the manifold including a plurality of orifices through which water is discharged as discrete jets onto the surface of the roller, the orifices to one side of the point at which water is admitted to the manifold being positioned at substantially the same distances from this point of admission as the orifices to the other side of the point of admission, and the orifices being so aligned that jets of water issuing therefrom make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the longitudinal axis of the roller.

The manifold may extend over the entire length of the roller with its end remote from the pump spaced below or to one side of the roller.

In a preferred embodiment, the jets are caused to overlap prior to contacting the roller surface by virtue of being discharged through a slotted orifice. Thus, each jet is generally fan-shaped. The slot suitably is a straight slot, i.e. a slot having generally parallel longer sides, for example, a rectangular slot. Most advantageously, the apparatus may be provided with a plurality of discharge nozzles, each such nozzle having a generally hemispherically shaped end face in which is set a discharge nozzle in the form of a straight slot.

The invention also comprehends a method of cleaning a roller through the use of an apparatus of the type defined above. The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a side view in section of paint roller cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 with the cover of the apparatus removed;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the interior of an end cap of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figures 4 and 5 are plan and side views of roller supports for use with the apparatus of Figure 1.

The roller cleaning apparatus illustrated in the drawings comprises a generally cylindrical hollow housing 1 provided with a cover 2 which is removable to enable a paint roller 3 (shown in broken line in Figure 1) to be positioned within the housing interior between removable supports 4,5 (see Figures 4 and 5). The base of the housing is closed by an end-cap 6. The cover, end cap, housing and supports may be produced from a plastics material. The roller is of conventional configuration and comprises an outer paint absorbing tubular layer carried by an inner hollow shaft 7.

Positioned within the interior of the housing 1 is a manifold 8 formed with a series of discrete orifices 9. These orifices are preferably rectangular or fan shaped in section. A pipe 10 communicates with the manifold 8 through an inlet port 11. A tap 12 is positioned within the pipe 10. The end of pipe 10 is ribbed to receive one end of a hose connected to a source of mains water.

The port 11 is positioned substantially halfway along the length of the manifold 8 with the orifices 9 above the port 11 being substantially the same distances from the port as the respective orifices below the port 11. Immediately opposite the port 11 and within the bore of the manifold is a conical flow diverter 14 which operates to direct water equally towards the upper and lower ends of the manifold.

The positioning of the orifices 9 with respect to the inlet port 11 and the diverter 14 ensure that the volume and pressure of water supplied to, and therefore leaving, each orifice is substantially the same. Thus, each orifice contributes substantially equally to the cleaning operation.

The manifold ends are located within collars 15 projecting inwardly into the housing from the cover 2 and end cap 6.

The lower end if the manifold 8 extends to a position below the lowermost orifice 9 to avoid the formation of vortices created by the water present in the manifold.

One or more drain holes are formed in the end-cap 16 for the outflow of polluted water.

The removable supports are shown in greater detail in Figures 4 and 5. Each support has a plurality of radially extending arms 17 and an upwardly or downwardly protruding spindle 18. In plan view, the supports are generally round but with one side 19 describing a straight line. In use, the spindles 18 locate within the open ends of the shaft 7 of the roller 3 and the assembly of the supports 4,5 and the roller 3 is lowered into the housing. The roller 3 rotates about the spindles 18 when the roller is acted upon by the water jets.

The longitudinal axis of the roller 3 mounted between the supports 4,5 is offset from the centre line of the housing. The longitudinal axis of the roller is also generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the manifold 8. The discharge orifices 9 of the manifold 8 are therefore directed towards points on the roller surface which are offset from the longitudinal axis of the roller.

In use of the apparatus illustrated, a roller to be cleaned is positioned within the housing with the lower¬ most support 5 seated within the end-cap 6 and the roller 3 held on and between the spindles 18 of the supports 4,5. The pressure applied by the spindles is insufficient to inhibit free rotation of the roller. A hose connected to a mains water supply is then connected to the pipe 10. When the tap 12 is opened, water flows to the manifold 8 to cause discrete fan shaped water jets to be emitted from the orifices 9. Water entering the manifold is directed substantially equally to the respective manifold ends by the conical diverter and the positioning of the orifice pairs substantially equidistant from the port 11 ensures that the pressure and volume of water leaving each orifice is substantially the same. Because of their alignment, the jets emitted make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the rollers longitudinal axis thereby imparting rotational movement to the roller. This rotational movement assists speedy and efficient cleaning of the roller.

Polluted water leaves the housing via the drain holes formed in the end-cap 6.

Using the apparatus described, a paint roller can be cleaned thoroughly within 6 to 10 minutes.

As will be seen from Figure 1, the manifold 8 has six discharge orifices 9 in each of which is positioned a nozzle. There may, however, be a greater or lesser number of orifices if desired. Each nozzle has a generally hemispherical front face in which is set a slotted discharge orifice. The construction of the nozzles is such that a fan-shaped jet of water or other cleaning fluid is produced, and the distance between the nozzles is set such that the fan-shaped jets overlap before coming into contact with the roller. Thanks to the positioning of the inlet port 11 and the orifices 9, the pressure of liquid emerging from the nozzles is substantially constant along the line of nozzles. Consequently, the liquid pressure is substantially even along the entire liquid front.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of particular embodiments of paint cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

Apparatus for cleaning rollers used for applying emulsion paint and other water based solutions to surfaces, the apparatus comprising a housing for receiving a roller to be cleaned, support means by which a roller can be positioned within the housing for rotation about its longitudinal axis, a manifold within the housing with its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of a roller when mounted within the housing, means for connecting the manifold interior to a source of water under pressure at a position approximately halfway along the length of the manifold, and a plurality of orifices formed in the manifold through which discrete jets of water are discharged towards and onto a surface of such a roller, the orifices being evenly spaced along the manifold length with the orifices on one side of the position at which the manifold communicates with the connection means being substantially at the same distances from this position as the respective orifices on the other side of the position, and the orifices being so positioned and aligned that the jets make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the axis of rotation of the roller.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided within the manifold at the aforesaid position to direct water in substantially equal amounts towards the two ends of the manifold.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means comprises a substantially conical protrusion positioned opposite the open end of the connection means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the connection means comprises a pipe connectable to a source of water by a hose.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein a tap is positioned along the length of the pipe.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each jet overlaps with its neighbouring jet or jets to present a continuous liquid front along substantially the entire length of the roller.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support means is separable from the housing and includes spindles capable of protruding into the open ends of a roller shaft, the support means being shaped and dimensioned to preclude rotation relative to the housing during use and the spindles being dimensioned to allow for rotation of the roller relative to the housing.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the manifold is circular in cross section.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the manifold ends are retained within collars extending inwardly into the housing from end caps of the housing.

10. Paint roller cleaning apparatus comprising a housing, means for supporting a roller to be cleaned within the housing whilst enabling the roller to spin freely about its longitudinal axis, means for conveying water to a manifold positioned within the housing through a port positioned generally midway between the manifold ends, the manifold including a plurality of orifices through which water is discharged as discrete jets onto the surface of the roller, the orifices to one side of the point at which water is admitted to the manifold being positioned at substantially the same distances from this point of admission as the orifices to the other side of the point of admission, and the orifices being so aligned that jets of water issuing therefrom make contact with the roller surface at positions offset from the longitudinal axis of the roller.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the manifold extends over the entire length of the roller with its end remote from the pump spaced below or to one side of the roller.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the jets are caused to overlap prior to contacting the roller surface by virtue of being discharged through a slotted orifice.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each jet is generally fan-shaped.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein each slot is generally rectangular in section.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 having a plurality of discharge nozzles, each such nozzle having a generally hemispherically shaped end face in which is set a discharge nozzle in the form of a straight slot.