(19)
(11) EP 1 961 488 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
02.11.2011 Bulletin 2011/44

(43) Date of publication A2:
27.08.2008 Bulletin 2008/35

(21) Application number: 08103274.0

(22) Date of filing: 14.01.1998
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B05B 7/24(2006.01)
 B05B 15/06(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 24.01.1997 GB 9701447
18.06.1997 GB 9712784

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
05020408.0 / 1611960
98901823.9 / 0954381

(71) Applicant: 3M COMPANY
St. Paul, Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Bastow, David R
    Staffordshire B77 3EU (GB)
  • Salhus, Jerry E
    Bloomington MN 55438 (US)
  • Butler, Alan F
    Atherstone Warwickshire CV9 1HG (GB)
  • Hartfel, Margaret E
    St. Paul, MN 55102 (US)
  • Douglas, Malcolm F
    Pennard Swansea SA3 2DP (GB)
  • Joseph, Stephen C.P.
    Woodbury MN 55129 (US)

(74) Representative: Wightman, David Alexander et al
Barker Brettell LLP 100 Hagley Road
Edgbaston Birmingham B16 8QQ
Edgbaston Birmingham B16 8QQ (GB)

   


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


(57) A fluid reservoir (11) comprises a container (12) capable of standing unsupported on its base end so that it can be filled with fluid through an opening opposite the base end, and a lid (15) to close the opening. The reservoir (11) containing fluid is attached to a gravity fed spray gun (1) by inverting the spray gun (1) from its normal operating position (Figure 6) to an inverted position (Figure 5) in which the spray gun (1) is connectable to an outlet in the lid (15) above the level of the fluid in the container (12). The spray gun (1) can then be inverted to its normal operating position with the reservoir (11) mounted thereon and the outlet in the lid (15) below the level of fluid in the container (12). The spray gun (1) can then be operated to transfer fluid from the reservoir (11) to the spray gun (1) through the outlet in the lid (15). The container (12) may collapse as fluid is withdrawn and/or may be collapsible for disposal.







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