3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Malcolm F Douglas

Stephen C P Joseph

Alan F Butler

David R Bastow

Margaret A Hartfel

Jerry E Salhus

Daniel E Siltberg

Michael J R Adams

Jerome E Salhus

Antonio Bacciocchi

Phillip J Bouic

Steven J Lenius

Gary N Brotherton

Philip S Hill

Graham V Jackson

Martyn Hagedorn

Stephen J Hollowell

Stephen Cp Joseph

Stephen C Joseph

Mike J Adams

Mike J R Adams

Masking article

Apparatus and methods for spraying a liquid relating to a gravity-fed spray gun are disclosed. Disclosed gravity fed spray guns may comprise a body and an attachment point located at a top portion of the body; and a spray nozzle located at a front portion of the body. An apparatus may further comprise a fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid to be sprayed through the spray nozzle, the fluid reservoir comprising a container comprising an open end; a lid for cooperative engagement with the open end of the container, the lid comprising a connector to couple the fluid reservoir to the attachment point of the spray gun and an aperture through which the fluid can flow from the fluid reservoir to the spray nozzle in use; and a filter positioned to filter the fluid before reaching the spray nozzle.

Apparatus for spraying liquids, and adapters and liquid reservoirs suitable for use therewith

A spray gun () has a fluid reservoir () with a removable liner () received in a container () having a detachable lid (). The liner (), which may be thermo/vacuum-formed from a planar material, has a shape that corresponds to and is a close fit within the interior of the container () and collapses as fluid is withdrawn from within the liner () during operation of the spray gun (). The lid () has an outlet () connected to an inlet on the spray gun () for transfer of liquid from the reservoir () to the spray gun () and the container () has a vent (A) in the base end for admitting air between the container () and the liner () as liquid is withdrawn from within the liner ().

Apparatus for spraying liquids, and disposable containers and liners suitable for use therewith

A spray gun is disclosed, including components and kits of components thereof, comprising a body comprising an attachment point for a compatible liquid reservoir and an adapter. The adapter comprises, at a first end, a non-threaded connection for attachment to a connector of a compatible liquid reservoir, the adapter being attached at a second end to the attachment point on the body such that the adapter remains attached to the body upon removal of a compatible liquid reservoir from the non-threaded connection.

A paint reservoir has a fluid outletconnectable to a spray gunand a fluid inletprovided with a removable screw capwhereby the fluid inletis directly accessible for introducing paint to the reservoir while attached to the spray gun. The fluid outletand fluid inletmay both be provided in an end wall of the reservoir with outletlocated on the longitudinal axis of the reservoir or offset to allow the size of the fluid inletto be increased for easier filling of the reservoir. The outletcan be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the reservoir or it can be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis to provide greater clearance for access to the fluid inletwhen the reservoir is attached to the spray gun. In an alternative arrangement, the fluid outlet is provided in an end wall of the reservoir and the fluid inlet is provided in a sidewall of the reservoir.

Reservoir with refill inlet for hand-held spray guns

A spray gun () has a fluid reservoir () which contains a removable liner (). The liner (), which may be thermo/vacuum-formed from a plastic material, is a close fit within the interior of the reservoir and collapses as fluid is withdrawn from within the liner during operation of the gun. Preferably, the liner has a comparatively-rigid base and is capable of standing, unsupported, outside the reservoir. The side walls of the liner are preferably thin in comparison to the base and can be collapsed for disposal of the liner. The reservoir () has a removable lid () and is capable of standing, inverted, on its own so that it can be filled with fluid. The lid () also functions to secure the liner () in the reservoir and, at the end of a spraying operation, the lid () and the liner () are removed together from the reservoir () and discarded, thereby simplifying the cleaning of the spray gun.

A paint reservoir has a fluid outlet () connectable to a spray gun () and a fluid inlet () provided with a removable screw cap () whereby the fluid inlet () is directly accessible for introducing paint to the reservoir while attached to the spray gun (). The fluid outlet () and fluid inlet () may both be provided in an end wall of the reservoir with outlet () located on the longitudinal axis of the reservoir or offset to allow the size of the fluid inlet () to be increased for easier filling of the reservoir. The outlet () can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the reservoir or it can be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis to provide greater clearance for access to the fluid inlet () when the reservoir is attached to the spray gun ().

A single use, disposable reservoir of low volume for use in conjunction with a spray gun for spray painting small areas, for example 'spray out' cards for color matching a paint mix for spray painting a vehicle. The reservoir is in the form of a syringe body with a plunger having a sealing member slidable within the body for drawing paint into the body via an open end. The body has an aperture adjacent to a closed end and the plunger can be moved to position the sealing member between the aperture and closed end for releasing a partial vacuum created when the paint is drawn into the body and allow the paint to be withdrawn, in use, when the reservoir is connected to a spray gun without actuating the plunger. In other embodiments, the reservoir comprises a concertina-type body or a pipette body.

Liquid sample reservoir suitable for use with a spraying apparatus

A reservoir for use with a spray gun has a body and a flexible diaphragm that define a chamber for liquid to be supplied to the spray gun. The body has an outlet opening leading to a spout connectable to the spray gun and the diaphragm deflects to reduce the volume of the chamber as liquid is withdrawn from the reservoir. The diaphragm gradually conforms to the internal surface of the body as the liquid is withdrawn to prevent pockets forming in which the liquid may be trapped so that substantially all the liquid can be dispensed. The reservoir may be supplied pre-filled with the liquid.

Conformable pouch reservoir for spray gun

A spray gun has a fluid reservoir that contains a removable liner. The liner, which may be thermo/vacuum-formed from a plastics material, is a close fit within the interior of the reservoir and collapses as fluid is withdrawn from within the liner during operation of the gun. Preferably, the liner has a comparatively-rigid base and is capable of standing, unsupported, outside the reservoir. The side walls of the liner are preferably thin in comparison to the base and can be collapsed for disposal of the liner. The reservoir has a removable lid and is capable of standing, inverted, on its own so that it can be filled with fluid. The lid also functions to secure the liner in the reservoir and, at the end of a spraying operation, the lid and the liner are removed together from the reservoir and discarded, thereby simplifying the cleaning of the spray gun.

Growing community of inventors

Wales, United Kingdom

Malcolm F Douglas