Washing device

Abstract

 A device for washing a paint roller and/or brush comprises:
-a casing (2) that delimits a washing compartment (20), the casing (2) in turn comprising an opening (21) giving access to the washing compartment (20) and comprising means (22) for occluding at least partly the opening (21);
-first liquid spraying means (3) located inside the casing (2).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a device for washing and possibly drying a paint roller and/or brush.

[0002] When painting walls, painters use implements such as brushes and rollers previously soaked in the paint to be applied to the walls. It is thus necessary to clean the rollers after completing a job and also if a different colour paint has to be applied. Indeed, paint rollers and brushes that are not properly cleaned may give the colour of the walls an unwanted hue. After a job is completed, to avoid having to throw away brushes or rollers, it is important for cleaning to be carried out before the paint hardens too much.

[0003] Painters sometimes clean rollers and brushes in bathroom wash basins in the building where they are working. This operation is not free of disadvantages, however. First of all, there is the risk of dirtying the delicate surfaces near the bathroom fixture where the brushes or rollers are cleaned. Furthermore, cleaning a brush or roller by simply placing it under running water takes time and a lot of water.

[0004] In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of the present invention is to propose a washing and/or drying device which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0005] More specifically, this invention has for an aim to provide a washing and/or drying device which minimizes the risk of dirtying surrounding items.

[0006] Another aim of this invention is to propose a washing and/or drying device which can reduce water consumption and, hence, the overall cost of the washing operation. A further aim of the invention is to speed up washing operations.

[0007] A further aim of the invention is to reduce the time needed for drying paint rollers and/or brushes.

[0008] The technical purpose and aims specified are substantially achieved by a washing device for paint rollers and/or brushes comprising the technical features defined in one or more of the accompanying claims.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the present invention are more apparent in the non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a washing device for paint rollers and/or brushes, as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a washing device according to this invention;
• Figures 2a and 2b are two cross sections through the plane A of Figure 1, in two different configurations of the washing device;
• Figures 3 and 4 are two different side views of the device of Figure 1.

[0010] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a washing device for paint rollers and/or brushes. Advantageously, the device 1 is portable. The device 1 comprises:

• a casing 2 which delimits a washing compartment 20;
• first liquid spraying means 3 located inside the casing 2.

[0011] Advantageously, the casing 2 (and hence the washing compartment 20) is substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped, having a first, a second and a third edge oriented along three directions at right angles to each other and where the first edge has a length of between 15 and 30 centimetres, the second edge has a length of between 23 and 50 centimetres and the third edge has a length of between 20 and 40 centimetres. Conveniently, the first edge determines the depth of the casing 2, the second edge determines the width of the casing 2 and the third edge determines the height of the casing 2. Advantageously, the axis of rotation of the roller when it is placed in the casing 2 lies along the direction defined by the second edge.

[0012] The first spraying means 3 comprise an opening, preferably a plurality of openings, for feeding the washing liquid into the washing compartment 20. Conveniently, at least one of the openings has the form of a nozzle, possibly a nozzle which provides a fan-shaped spray.

[0013] The first liquid spraying means 3 are connectable to a liquid supply unit (not illustrated) which might be external or internal to the device 1; for example, it might be a tank or the water mains; if the supply unit is a tank, a pump operatively interposed between the tank and the first spraying means 3 is necessary to generate the pressure required for supplying the liquid. Advantageously, the liquid is water. More specifically, the device 1 comprises a tap 30 located upstream of the first spraying means 3.

[0014] In the embodiment of the accompanying drawings, the first spraying means 3 comprise a bar 31 along which a plurality of holes for liquid outlet are made. Conveniently, these holes coincide with the above mentioned openings. Advantageously, the holes are aligned along a single straight line. This makes it easier for the user to direct the jet of liquid as required (as described in more detail below). In the accompanying drawings, the jet of liquid is denoted by the reference numeral 100. The casing 2 comprises an opening 21 giving access to the washing compartment 20.

[0015] The casing 2 also comprises means 22 for at least partly occluding the opening 21. The occluding means 22 may comprise a door 221. The door 221 is movable from a first, open configuration where it allows the brush or roller to be placed into the washing compartment 20. In addition, or alternatively, the occluding means 22 comprise a dense group of bristles 222.

[0016] The occluding means 22 minimize the risk of splashing liquid contaminated by paint outside the casing 2 and dirtying the user or the surroundings.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the casing 2 comprises a plurality of walls which are rigidly connected to each other and which define the access opening 21. The door 221 is movable between a first configuration where it allows the brush or roller to be placed into the washing compartment 20 and a second, closed configuration where it at least partly obstructs the opening 21.

[0018] Advantageously, when the door 221 is in the second configuration (closed), it completely obstructs only a first part 211 of the access opening 21. A second part 212 of the access opening 21 is at least partly (preferably entirely) obstructed by the dense group of bristles 222.

[0019] Advantageously, the access opening 21 is divided only into the first and second parts 211,212.

[0020] In this description, the term "roller" means only the rolling part of the implement which must be soaked with paint. The roller is associated with a handle that allows it to be held in the hand. During use of the device 1, the roller is placed into the washing compartment 20, while the handle protrudes outside the compartment 20 through the second part 212 of the access opening 21.

[0021] Similarly, in the case of a paintbrush, the bristled part is placed into the washing compartment 20, while at least part of the handle protrudes outside the washing compartment 20 through the second part 212 of the opening. The dense group of bristles 222, though allowing the handle (in the case of both roller and brush) to protrude outside the washing compartment 20, adheres closely to the handle and thereby minimizes the risk of the washing liquid splashing. In this description, the term "rolling" applies to the rotating part of the roller, while the handle is held firmly by a user.

[0022] At least one portion of the casing 2 is transparent to allow the user to see the inside of the washing compartment 20 while keeping the door 221 closed. Advantageously, at least part of the door 221 is transparent. In effect, the door 221 is the part of the casing 2 which is directed towards the user during use and which is easy for the user to see at all times. The door 221 is conveniently hinged to the rest of the casing 2. Advantageously, the first spraying means 3 are at least partly movable to allow the liquid jet to be directed. For example, the first spraying means 3 might be at least in part angularly adjustable in orientation or translatable along one direction. In the preferred embodiment, the bar 31 can be translated along at least one direction. Advantageously, the bar 31 is movable (preferably translatable) between a first and a second position.

[0023] Advantageously, in the first position, the bar 31 surmounts a central portion of the washing compartment 20, while in the second position it is closer to a wall of the casing 2 than it is in the first configuration. Advantageously, there is a conduit 310 which, at least in the first position of the bar 31, extends between a wall of the casing 2 and the bar 31. When in the second position, the bar 31 is closer to the wall from which the conduit 310 extends. Advantageously, the bar 31 is located at the access opening 21. Thus, when the bar 31 is in its second position, it makes it easier for a part of the brush or roller to be placed into the washing compartment 20. Further, the fact that the bar 31 or, more generally, the first spraying means 3, is at least partly movable makes it easier to vary the orientation between the roller and the jet of liquid issuing from the spraying means 3. This is very important because the roller can be dried by centrifugation by directing the liquid jet in such a way that it strikes the surface of the roller tangentially, causing it to rotate at high speed about its axis (for example, see Figure 2b, where the roller, labelled 101, is drawn with a dashed line). Thus, the device 1 comprises means for drying a paint roller by centrifugation. These drying means comprise the spraying means 3.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment the casing 2 has means 32 for guiding the bar 31 on at least one of its walls. More specifically, the guide means 32 are on at least one wall which extends parallel to the direction of translation of the bar 31.

[0025] Advantageously, the device 1 comprises a drain 5 which allows the liquid to flow out of the washing compartment 20 and collect in a predetermined zone.

[0026] This prevents water from stagnating inside the washing compartment 20. Advantageously, the drain 5 comprises a slot. The slot is formed on a wall of the casing 2 which, during use, is the bottom of the casing. Thus, the liquid which would otherwise accumulate in the washing compartment 20 is allowed to flow out by gravity. Advantageously, the drain 5 is formed on a wall of the casing 2 opposite the door 221 in the second (closed) configuration. In effect, during use, the door 221 is advantageously positioned at the top of the device 1.

[0027] The device 1 is intended for use on top of a plumbing fixture. The device may comprise an auxiliary tank located outside the casing 2 and into which the liquid sprayed by the first spraying means 3 is channelled through the drain 5. The auxiliary tank may comprise a flexible drainage hose. The flexible drainage hose might, for example, allow the auxiliary tank to be connected to a plumbing fixture. The auxiliary tank might be used to collect the water which has been used for washing paintbrushes or rollers and which can be re-used to dilute paint, thereby allowing further savings on water.

[0028] Advantageously, the tank has a closure equipped with filters designed to separate out the solid paint residues which must be disposed of in a suitable manner.

[0029] The device 1 comprises wringing means 4 designed to act on the roller to be washed in the compartment 20, the wringing means 4 being located at least partly in the casing 2.

[0030] The wringing means 4 comprise a plurality of rotatable members 40 designed to rotate about substantially parallel axes. The rotatable members 40 have a principal direction of extension (between its two ends) along the respective axis of rotation. At least a portion of the rotatable members 40 has a covering made of rubbery or plastic material in order to improve its coefficient of friction with the roller. Advantageously, the covering material of the rotatable members is a hard sponge which adapts to rollers of different sizes.

[0031] Conveniently, the covered part of the rotatable members 40 is inside the washing compartment 20. The rotatable members 40 are mutually spaced to form a housing 47 interposed between at least two of them. When the roller is small in size, it is advantageously interposed between two rotatable members 40; when the roller is large in size and there are more than two rotatable members 40, the roller is interposed between all the rotatable members 40 (the latter case is schematically illustrated in Figure 2a where the roller to be washed is drawn with a dashed line). The housing 47 is designed to receive the roller. When the roller is inside the housing, the rotatable members 40 compress the part of the roller they come into contact with. At least a first 41 of the rotatable members 40 is designed to rotationally drive the roller to be washed.

[0032] The plurality of rotatable members 40 further comprises, in addition to the first rotatable member 41, a second and a third rotatable member 42, 43. The housing 47 delimited by the rotatable members 40 is in that case a tub 470. The tub 470 faces the first spraying means 3.

[0033] Conveniently, the device 1 comprises a power take-off 44 which is operatively coupled to the first rotatable member 41 (normally they are integral with each other). The device 1 further comprises:

• first means 45 for transmitting a drive torque from the first to the second rotatable member 41, 42;
• second means 46 for transmitting a drive torque from the second to the third rotatable member 42, 43.

[0034] The power take-off 44 is connectable to an electric motor. The electric motor might be built into the device 1 or it might be built into an external tool such as an electric screwdriver or a drill. If the electric motor is external to the device 1, the power take-off 44 might comprise a protrusion 440 which the external tool can be connected to.

[0035] In the preferred embodiment, in addition to the first, second and third rotatable members 41, 42, 43, there is also a fourth rotatable member 44. Conveniently, the fourth rotatable member 44 is idle and serves to facilitate the rotation of the roller. Unlike the first, second and third rotatable members 41, 42, 43, it does not rotationally drive the roller but is itself rotationally driven by the roller. Advantageously, the first, second and third rotatable members 41, 42, 43 extend principally along their axes of rotation and are rotatably connected to two opposite walls of the casing 2.

[0036] The first torque transmission means 45 and the second torque transmission means 46 lie, respectively, at two opposite walls of the casing 2. The two opposite walls in which the first and second torque transmission means 45, 46 lie are the two opposite walls which the first, second and third rotatable members 41, 42, 43 are rotatably connected to. Advantageously, the device 1 comprises second spraying means located at a first and a second wall. The first and second walls are opposite each other and are also interposed between the door 221 and a wall in which the drain 5 for removing the washing liquid from the casing 2 is formed. The rotatable members 40 are connected at the ends of them to the first and second walls. Conveniently, the first and/or the second spraying means emit a pressurized jet. The second spraying means improve washing efficiency and, more specifically, they improve the efficiency by which the two opposite bases of the cylindrical roller are washed. The second spraying means, too, are fluid dynamically connectable to the liquid supply unit. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second drive torque transmission means 45, 46 are made at the same wall. In this case, they must be spaced far enough apart to prevent them from coming into contact with each other. Advantageously, the first drive torque transmission means 45 comprise a first chain 450 which meshes with a first pair of toothed wheels 451 which are fixed to the first and second rotatable members 41, 42, respectively. Advantageously, the second drive torque transmission means 46 comprise a second chain 452 which meshes with a second pair of toothed wheels 453 which are integral with the second and third rotatable members 42, 43, respectively.

[0037] Advantageously, the first and second pairs 451, 453 of toothed wheels and the first and second chains 450, 452 are external to the washing compartment 20.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the first and second drive torque transmission means 45, 46 coincide and comprise a single chain which transmits drive from the first to the second and third rotatable members 41, 42, 43. In this case, however, there is greater risk of the chain coming away from the toothed wheel, preventing drive from being transmitted correctly. In effect, in such an embodiment, there are zones where the chain is too taut and others where it is too loose. The provision of two separate drive transmission means 45, 46, though not strictly necessary, thus constitutes a preferred embodiment.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment, there are a first and a second pair 401, 402 of rotatable members 40. The mutual distance between the axes of rotation of the first pair 401 of rotatable members 40 is greater than the distance between the axes of rotation of the second pair 402 of rotatable members 40. Both of the rotatable members 40 of the first pair 401 are closer to the first spraying means 3 (or to the bar 31) than the rotatable members 40 of the second pair 402. Thus, a small sized roller can be placed between two rotatable members 40 (advantageously, in this case, the second pair 402 of rotatable members 40 is used), while a large sized roller can be placed in the tub defined by the first and second pairs 401, 402 of rotatable members 40. Preferably, the rotatable members 40 of the second pair 402 are located near the bottom of the washing compartment 20 so that the roller remains partly immersed in the liquid during washing.

[0040] In the non-limiting example embodiment, the first pair 401 of rotatable members 40 comprises the second and third rotatable members 42, 43, while the second pair 402 of rotatable members 40 comprises the first and fourth rotatable members 41, 44. The device 1 further comprises supporting means 6. Advantageously, the supporting means 6 comprise a plurality of extractable arms 60 designed to support the device 1. Conveniently, at one end of the arms 60 there is a supporting foot 61. Advantageously, the device 1 comprises a dispenser external to the casing 2 and located at the end of a pipe (preferably a flexible hose). This makes the washing liquid available also outside the washing compartment 20 for a variety of uses.

[0041] The dispenser may be a dispenser of liquid under pressure mounted on a side wall of the device. The flexible hose allows the dispenser to be placed also inside the washing compartment 20.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, between the rotatable members there are rotatable idle elements, which are substantially cylindrical in shape and which constitute a supporting surface against which the brushes are placed during washing. These cylindrical elements are made preferably of metal or hard plastic. During washing, the brushes are placed inside the washing compartment 20, applying pressure against these cylindrical elements, and are sprayed by the first and/or the second spraying means located in the compartment 20 and/or by the external dispenser.

[0043] This invention also has for an object a method for washing a paint roller using a device 1 having one or more of the features described above. The method comprises the following steps:

• placing the paint roller into the washing compartment 2;
• washing the roller by spraying it with a jet of liquid coming from the first spraying means 3 and directed at least towards the central zone of the roller (advantageously, this step comprises positioning the first spraying means 3 above the roller);
• moving the first spraying means 3 relative to the roller in order to spray the roller with a jet of liquid directed substantially tangentially to its outside surface; this causes the roller to rotate about its axis of rotation and to be dried by centrifugation. This step makes it possible to obtain a roller which is extremely clean and dry in a short time.

[0044] This invention also has for an object a method for washing a paint roller and/or brush using a device 1 having one or more of the features described above and comprising the following steps:

• placing the paint roller into the washing compartment 2;
• washing the roller by spraying it with a jet of liquid coming from the first spraying means 3 and directed at least towards the central zone of the roller (advantageously, this step comprises positioning the first spraying means 3 above the roller);
• wringing the roller using the wringing means 4.

[0045] Advantageously, the step of wringing the roller using the wringing means 4 is at least partly simultaneous with the washing step.

[0046] The method also comprises a step of moving the first spraying means 3 relative to the roller in order to spray the roller with a jet of liquid directed substantially tangentially to its outside surface. As mentioned above, this causes the roller to rotate about its axis of rotation and to be dried by centrifugation.

[0047] The step of spraying the roller with a jet of liquid directed substantially tangentially to its outside surface follows the step of washing the roller by spraying it with a jet of liquid directed at least towards the central zone of the roller.

[0048] The step of wringing the roller using the wringing means comprises rotating the roller about its axis of rotation and repeatedly compressing and releasing a portion of the (bristled) outside surface of the roller. The roller is rotationally driven by the rotation of at least one of the rotatable members 40 placed in contact with the roller. During the rotation of the roller, at least one of the rotatable members 40 periodically comes into contact with a portion of the bristled outside surface. When the roller comes into contact with the at least one rotatable member, the contact area is compressed and thus wrung. As the roller rotates, its outside surface is thus repeatedly compressed and released. The wringing step may be simultaneous with the step of spraying the roller with a jet of liquid directed towards the central zone of the roller. In this case, the wringing step facilitates washing of the roller. The wringing step may follow the step of spraying the roller with a jet of liquid directed at least towards the central zone of the roller. In this case, the wringing step facilitates drying (but by itself is normally insufficient).

[0049] The invention achieves important advantages. In particular, it allows the user to wash paint brushes and rollers without getting dirty and without dirtying the surrounding areas.

[0050] The wringing step makes it possible to reduce washing time and thus to limit water consumption.

[0051] Moreover, the device allows the washing water to be collected and re-used, for example, to dilute the paint, or disposed of in a suitable manner.

[0052] The arrangement of the rotatable members for wringing the roller makes it possible to wash rollers of any size.

[0053] The invention described can be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements. Further, the embodiments of the invention may be made in any size, depending on requirements.

Claims

1. A device for washing a paint roller and/or brush characterized in that it comprises:

- a casing (2) that delimits a washing compartment (20), the casing (2) in turn comprising an opening (21) giving access to the washing compartment (20) and comprising means (22) for occluding at least partly the opening (21);

- first liquid spraying means (3) located inside the casing (2).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the occluding means (22) comprise a door (221) and/or a group of bristles (222).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the occluding means (22) comprise a door (221) and a group of bristles (222), the door (221) being movable between a first configuration where it allows the brush and/or the roller to be placed into the washing compartment (20) and a second configuration where it completely obstructs only a first part (211) of the access opening (21), a second part (212) of the access opening (21) being at least partly obstructed by the group of bristles (222).

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the first spraying means (3) are movable in order to direct the outgoing liquid.

5. The device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the first spraying means comprise a movable bar (31) comprising a plurality of openings for liquid oulet, said bar (31) being movable between a first and a second position; in the first position the bar (31) surmounting a central portion of the washing compartment (20), while in the second position being closer than in the first position to a wall of the casing.

6. The device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises wringing means (4) designed to act on the roller to be washed in the compartment (20) and located at least partly inside the casing (2).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the wringing means (4) comprise a plurality of rotatable members (40) designed to rotate about substantially parallel axes and which are mutually spaced to form a housing (47) interposed between them and designed to receive the roller, the rotatable members (40) being designed to compress the part of the roller they come into contact with, at least a first (41) of the rotatable members being designed to rotationally drive the roller.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises second liquid spraying means which are at a first and a second wall, said rotatable members (40) having a first and a second ends connected respectively to the first and the second wall.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the plurality of rotatable members (40) further comprises, in addition to the first rotatable member (41), a second and a third rotatable member (42, 43), the housing (47) delimited by the rotatable members (40) being a tub (470); the device being further characterized in that it comprises:

- a power take-off (44) operatively coupled to the first rotatable member (41);

- first means (45) for transmitting a drive torque from the first to the second rotatable member (41, 42);

- second means (46) for transmitting a drive torque from the second to the third rotatable member (42, 43).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first torque transmission means (45) and the second torque transmission means (46) lie, respectively, at two opposite walls of the casing (2).

11. A method for washing a paint roller using the device according to any of the claims from 1 to 10, comprising the following steps:

- placing the paint roller into the washing compartment (2);

- washing the roller by spraying it with a jet of liquid coming from the first spraying means (3) and directed at least towards the central zone of the roller;

- moving the first spraying means (3) relative to the roller in order to spray the roller with a jet of liquid directed substantially tangentially to its outside surface, thereby causing the roller to rotate about its axis of rotation and to be dried by centrifugation.

12. A method for washing a paint roller using the device according to any of the claims from 6 to 10, comprising the following steps:

- placing the paint roller into the washing compartment (2);

- washing the roller by spraying it with a jet of liquid coming from the first spraying means (3) and directed at least towards the central zone of the roller;

- wringing the roller using the wringing means (4), this step being at least partly simultaneous with the washing step.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized by moving the first spraying means (3) relative to the roller in order to spray the roller with a jet of liquid directed substantially tangentially to its outside surface, thereby causing the roller to rotate about its axis of rotation and to be dried by centrifugation.

Drawing