U.S. patent application number 11/370002 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for aerosol sandblast.
This patent application is currently assigned to Spraytex, Inc.. Invention is credited to John R. Woods.
Application Number | 20060211339 11/370002 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37010987 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060211339 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Woods; John R. |
September 21, 2006 |
Aerosol sandblast
Abstract
A pressurized gas or liquid mixture of particulates, or an
aggregate of particulates, to be delivered in an aerosol spray
through a self-contained container to remove paint, stains and the
like from various surfaces, such as wood or metal. The aerosol
aggregate mixture can additionally include paint removers or
cleaners and is sprayed directly on objects or surfaces to
abrasively remove paint or stains in an uniform manner without
destroying any fine details.
Inventors: |
Woods; John R.; (Woodland
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Carolyn Lu
Suite 2800
725 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles
CA
90017
US
|
Assignee: |
Spraytex, Inc.
Valencia
CA
|
Family ID: |
37010987 |
Appl. No.: |
11/370002 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60662660 |
Mar 17, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/28 ;
451/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 1/00 20130101; B24C
5/04 20130101; B24C 5/02 20130101; B24C 7/0046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/028 ;
451/090 |
International
Class: |
B24B 1/00 20060101
B24B001/00; B24C 3/00 20060101 B24C003/00 |
Claims
1. A sprayable material for use with an aerosol container
comprising: a solvent; and abrasive particulates dispersed in the
solvent, wherein the sprayable material is used to sandblast.
2. The sprayable material according to claim 1, wherein the
abrasive particulates are selected from a group consisting of glass
beads, pumice, sand, sand paper, and mixtures thereof.
3. The sprayable material according to claim 1, wherein the solvent
is selected from a group consisting of water, paint remover, paint
cleaner, engine cleaner, and mixtures thereof.
4. The sprayable material according to claim 3, wherein the paint
remover is water-based or solvent-based.
5. The sprayable material according to claim 1, wherein the solvent
is a citrus derivative.
6. The sprayable material according to claim 1, wherein the solvent
is xylene.
7. The sprayable material according to claim 1, wherein the
sprayable material further includes a propellant.
8. The sprayable material according to claim 1, wherein the
sprayable material further includes a thicksotropic.
9. An aerosol system comprising a container, a sprayable material
and an actuator assembly that sprays the sprayable material from
the container, wherein the sprayable material comprises: a solvent;
and abrasive particulates dispersed in the solvent, wherein the
sprayable material is used to sandblast, and wherein the actuator
assembly comprises: an actuator body; an orifice formed in the
actuator body, wherein the orifice defines an inlet; and a main
valve and a lower valve operatively located between the sprayable
material and the inlet, the valves being in fluid communication
with one another and adapted to open and close communication
between the sprayable material and the inlet.
10. The aerosol system according to claim 9, wherein the abrasive
particulates are selected from a group consisting of glass beads,
pumice, sand, sand paper and mixtures thereof.
11. The aerosol system according to claim 9, wherein the solvent is
selected from a group consisting of water, paint remover, paint
cleaner, engine cleaner and mixtures thereof.
12. The aerosol system according to claim 11, wherein the paint
remover is water-based or solvent-based.
13. The aerosol system according to claim 9, wherein the solvent is
a citrus derivative.
14. The aerosol system according to claim 9, wherein the solvent is
xylene.
15. The aerosol system according to claim 9, wherein the sprayable
material further includes a propellant.
16. The aerosol system according to claim 9, wherein the sprayable
material further includes a thicksotropic.
17. An aerosol system comprising a container, a sprayable material
and an actuator assembly that sprays the sprayable material from
the container, wherein the sprayable material comprises: a solvent,
the solvent being selected from a group consisting of water, paint
remover, paint cleaner, engine cleaner and mixtures thereof; and
abrasive particulates dispersed in the solvent, the abrasive
particulates being selected from a group consisting of glass beads,
pumice, sand, sand paper and mixtures thereof, and wherein the
actuator assembly comprises: an actuator body; an orifice formed in
the actuator body, wherein the orifice defines an inlet; and a main
valve and a lower valve operatively located between the sprayable
material and the inlet, the valves being in fluid communication
with one another and adapted to open and close communication
between the sprayable material and the inlet.
18. A method for removing a top layer from a substrate comprising:
applying a sprayable material from a hand-held aerosol container
onto a top layer of a substrate, wherein the sprayable material
comprises a solvent; and abrasive particulates dispersed in the
solvent, and wherein the aerosol container includes an actuator
assembly that comprises an actuator body, an orifice formed in the
actuator body, wherein the orifice defines an inlet, and a main
valve and a lower valve operatively located between the sprayable
material and the inlet, the valves being in fluid communication
with one another and adapted to open and close communication
between the sprayable material and the inlet; and repeating the
applying step for a number of times sufficient to remove the top
layer from the substrate.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the substrate is a
wall and the top layer to be removed is selected from the group
consisting of rust, stains, old paint, and graffiti.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the substrate is an
engine and the top layer to be removed is selected from the group
consisting of oil, grime, and rust.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/662,660 titled "AEROSOL SANDBLAST," filed Mar.
17, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the
delivery of a pressurized gas or liquid aggregate, for use with a
self-contained container, that can remove paint, stains and the
like from various surfaces. More particularly, embodiments of the
present invention relate to an aerosol aggregate mixture that can
be sprayed to abrasively remove paint or stains from wood or metal
without destroying any fine details.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Methods and products used to remove paint or stains are
generally known in the art and used to prepare a surface for
refurbishment or repainting. For example, paint or stain-removing
solvents may be applied manually to various surfaces to remove
paint or stains. Such solvents can be applied to wood to remove an
old coat of paint so that a new layer may be applied uniformly or
to remove unwanted stains, such as graffiti, from walls. Such
solvents may also be used to remove rust or rust stains from
corroded metal in order to repair an object. Similarly, other like
solvents may be used to clean other objects such as car
engines.
[0006] The traditional processes, however, often encounter
inconsistent removal of the paint or stains. For example, in the
case of a finely detailed wood or metal surface or object, it is
very difficult to remove the paint or rust stains from the grooves
and recesses. This is a common problem in cleaning antique objects.
Likewise, in handling smaller objects, it is complicated to
uniformly apply the solvents to small crevices to remove the paint
or stains. This is also problematic because the application of an
excessive amount often damages the object or surface being cleaned,
while the application of an insufficient amount yields insufficient
contact with the paint or stain, giving poor removal results.
[0007] Another traditional method avoids the above-mentioned
complications by dipping the small or detailed objects directly
into large batches of chemical solution to strip off the paint or
stains. In this way, the chemicals may contact all surfaces of the
object, including any small grooves and recesses, to uniformly
strip the paint or stains. However, this method presents different
problems in that the chemicals commonly used are highly toxic and
may emit noxious fumes. This method allows dangerous fumes to be
released indiscriminately into the atmosphere in often excessive
amounts. Consequently, necessary safety precautions associated with
these procedures render the method more costly and complicated.
[0008] Therefore, there exists a long-standing need to provide a
safe and effective product that can be applied in an efficient and
simple manner to remove old paint or stains from any wood or metal
surface consistently, including those surfaces with fine
details.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a
self-contained aerosol container has been developed for use in
association with sandblasting, a method of stripping off paint and
stains from a surface. The hand-held container can deliver an
aerosol application of a pressurized gas or liquid containing
abrasive particulates to uniformly remove paint or stains from any
wood or metal surface, including those with fine details. The
particulates may include glass beads, pumice, sand, sand paper or
the like. The aerosol container and the sprayed mixture provide an
efficient, safe, and less costly way than the traditional methods
used to remove paint or stains from a surface.
[0010] In one embodiment, the mixture may contain one or an
aggregate of glass beads, pumice, sand, sand paper or the like to
enhance the abrasiveness of the sandblasting. By exposing the
surface or object to the aerosol spray, the spray may then be
directed uniformly to all the smaller groves and recesses that
would otherwise be difficult to reach manually. Furthermore, the
aggregates are small and fine with sharp edges, and thus are able
to access the grooves and recesses in wooden or metal surfaces to
remove the paint or stains without destroying any details.
[0011] The sandblasting container according to an embodiment of the
invention may contain a propellant, such as compressed air or
liquid gas, to further facilitate the force of expulsion and blast
velocity with which the aerosol spray is released. The propellant
may also enhance the area performance of the blast (i e., the area
of paint or stain removed).
[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the mixture held in
the container may be one of water or solvent-based paint removers.
For example, a water-based solvent may be a citrus derivative,
while a solvent-based solvent may be xylene.
[0013] Alternatively, the mixture held in the container may be
composed of a combination of aggregates suspended in a solvent. A
combination of a solvent and aggregates may make stripping paint
and stains even more efficient. The mixture may contain any
combination of aggregates and any number of solvents or cleaners.
In an embodiment of the invention, the aggregate is blasted along
with one or more paint-removing solvents or cleaner such as engine
cleaner. By using a combination of paint removers admixed with one
or more aggregates, the impact of the blast is enhanced. The
combination softens the paint or stains, helping to make the
removal process simpler and faster.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the container may further include
a thicksotropic thickener to suspend the aggregate in the mixture.
The thicksotropic is added to thicken the liquid component in which
the aggregate is suspended. This may change the concentration and
impact of the aerosol spray and also ensure that the aggregates are
uniformly dispersed when released.
[0015] Depending on the type of surface to be sprayed, and the
material to be stripped off or removed from that surface, the user
may tailor the aerosol sandblast by using specific aggregates or
combining different mixtures of aggregates with liquid components.
Each aggregate, or combination of aggregate with liquid components,
will yield different capabilities that may be used accordingly with
specific surfaces to be stripped and cleaned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will
be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
numerals designate corresponding parts in the figures.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a self-contained
container delivering an aerosol spray to remove paint from a
surface according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a sandblast
aggregate according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a procedure to remove paint or
stains from a surface.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a self-contained
container including a reservoir of paint remover according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a self-contained
container including a reservoir of an aggregate admixed with a
paint remover according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a self-contained
container including a reservoir of an aggregate suspended in a
thicksotropic according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and which illustrate
several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that
other embodiments may be utilized and structural and operational
changes may be made without departure from the scope of the present
invention.
[0024] In FIG. 1, a self-contained aerosol container 1 for use in
association with sandblasting is illustrated. The hand-held
container 1 includes an actuator 2 that triggers the release of an
aerosol spray 3. The container 1 delivers an aerosol application of
pressurized liquid 4 to remove old paint 5 from a wooden surface 6.
In the alternative, the aerosol spray that is delivered may be a
pressurized gas. Also in the alternative, the aerosol spray may be
used to remove old stains from a metal surface. FIG. 1 demonstrates
how the container 1 delivers an aerosol spray 3 that evenly
contacts and distributes on the paint 5 on the wooden surface 6.
The aerosol spray 3 is generated from the reservoir 7 of the
container 1. By pushing down upon the actuator 2, the valve
assembly 8 is opened and the generated pressure releases the
contents of the reservoir 7 in an aerosol spray 3, as with other
aerosol spray cans known in the art. In an alternative embodiment,
the container may include a propellant, such as compressed air or
liquid gas, to further facilitate the force of expulsion and blast
velocity released. The propellant may also enhance the area
performance of the blast (i.e., the area of paint or stains
removed).
[0025] The contents of the reservoir may include one or an
aggregate of the following: water-based paint removers,
solvent-based paint removers, sand, sand paper, pumice, glass
beads, or the like. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged illustration of an
aggregate 9 of abrasive materials that can be included in the
container to be delivered in an aerosol spray. The aggregate 9
includes a variety of sand 10, pumice 11, and glass beads 12. The
sharp, fine edges provided by each of the particulates in the
aggregate 9 facilitates the stripping and removing of paint or
stains from different surfaces. Because the particulates are of a
fine size, but with effectively abrasive edges, the aerosol
application can remove paint or stains from a surface without
damaging detailing. Furthermore, because the aerosol spray can
reach and contact the entire surface, including any recesses or
grooves, the removal of paint or stains is done evenly.
[0026] In FIG. 3, a block diagram of a procedure to remove paint or
stains from wood or metal surfaces is shown. Other contemplated
uses include cleaning oil and/or grime from engines of land or
marine vehicle or stripping graffiti off walls. When the user
pushes down on the actuator 102 of the container 101, the valve
assembly 108 opens and allows pressure to generate an aerosol spray
103 from the reservoir 107. The aggregate 109 is released in the
aerosol spray 103 to contact the desired surface 106. As the
aerosol spray 103 is continuously released, the abrasiveness of the
particulates 113 in the aggregate 109 start to remove the old paint
105. In one embodiment of the invention, the reservoir 107 may
contain aggregate 109 mixed with paint remover 114. This
combination enhances the removal of the paint 105 from the
underlying surface 106. In the alternative, the aerosol spray may
be used to remove old stains from a metal surface.
[0027] Without being limited, several other embodiments of the
aerosol container including different reservoir contents, and the
corresponding container parts, are described below.
[0028] FIGS. 4-6 show cross-sectional views of a self-contained
aerosol container including various contents in the reservoir. FIG.
4 illustrates a container 201 including a reservoir 207 filled with
only a paint remover 214. As described above, the container 201
includes an actuator 202 that triggers the release of the aerosol
spray (not shown). The aerosol spray is generated from the
reservoir 207 of the container 201. By pushing down upon the
actuator 202, the valve assembly 208 is opened and the pressure
generated releases the contents of the reservoir 207. The container
201 allows a user to deliver an aerosol application of pressurized
contents from the reservoir 207 to the desired surface as other
aerosol systems known in the art. The paint remover 214 is
delivered evenly to the desired surface and can remove old paint or
stains from the surface without damaging any fine details on the
surface.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a container 301 including a reservoir 307
filled with an aggregate 309 admixed with paint remover 314. This
combination may provide an enhanced removal of paint or stains. As
described above, the container 301 includes an actuator 302 that
triggers the release of the aerosol spray (not shown). The aerosol
spray is generated from the reservoir 307 of the container 301. By
pushing down upon the actuator 302, the valve assembly 308 is
opened and the pressure generated releases the contents of the
reservoir 307. The container 301 allows the user to deliver an
aerosol application of pressurized contents from the reservoir 307
to the desired surface. The aggregate helps as an added abrasive to
remove more stubborn stains, rust or like. The aggregate 309 and
paint remover 314 are delivered evenly to the desired surface and
can remove old paint or stains from the surface without damaging
any fine details on the surface.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a container 401 including a reservoir 407
filled with an aggregate 409 suspended in a thicksotropic 415. The
thicksotropic may be cellulose ethers or carbonal. As described
above, the container 401 includes an actuator 402 that triggers the
release of the aerosol spray (not shown). The aerosol spray is
generated from the reservoir 407 of the container 401. By pushing
down upon the actuator 402, the valve assembly 408 is opened and
the pressure generated releases the contents of the reservoir 407.
The container 401 allows the user to deliver an aerosol application
of pressurized contents from the reservoir 407 to the desired
surface. The aggregate 409 suspended in a thicksotropic 415 is
delivered evenly to the desired surface and can remove old paint or
stains from the surface without damaging any fine details on the
surface. The thicksotropic 415 is added to thicken the liquid
component in which the aggregate 409 is suspended. In addition, the
thicksotropic 415 keeps the aggregates uniformly dispersed in the
solvent and prevents clumping.
[0031] Depending on the type of surface to be sprayed and the
material to be stripped off or removed from that surface, the user
may tailor the aerosol sandblast by using different aggregates or
combining different mixtures of aggregates with liquid components
in different proportions. The aggregates, or combinations of
aggregates with liquid components, described above are just a few
examples of possible combinations. Different combinations will
yield different capabilities that may be used accordingly with
specific surfaces to be stripped.
[0032] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such
modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the
present invention.
[0033] The presently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims
rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within
the meaning of and range of equivalency of the claims are intended
to be embraced therein.
* * * * *