Carrying And Storage Case For Liquid Applicator

Abstract

A combination carrying and storage case is disclosed comprising a hollow plastic shell member defining a lower inclined compartment and an upper horizontal compartment that are interconnected and extend from each other at an obtuse angle. The shell is formed of first and second side walls connected by a curved envelope with the upper half of the horizontal chamber including a pivotal closure member including portions of the side wall and the envelope and including a T-shaped handle-leg extending downwardly from adjacent one end of the horizontal chamber to support that end of the chamber and for use as a handle for carrying the container.

Description

This invention is in the field of carrying and storage cases and containers and is specifically directed to a unique device for the carrying and/or storing of a conventional handheld liquid applicator of the type having a handle and roller oriented perpendicularly with respect to each other and connected by connector portions with means being provided to supply liquid to the roller through the handle and connector portion during usage of the applicator.

Former applicator devices of the above-mentioned type find widespread usage in painting, adhesive applying and other operations; however, such devices must be thoroughly cleaned and disassembled at the close of each workday in order to prevent undesirable clogging and drying of the work liquid both in and on the applicator. Users of devices of the foregoing type frequently merely discard the applicator roller at the close of the workday rather than go to the trouble of cleaning and storing the roller for subsequent use. Either alternative is unsatisfactory since discarding of the roller is obviously uneconomical while the cleaning and storage of the roller requires a substantial time period and is also consequently uneconomical for that reason.

Moreover, roller applicators of the aforementioned type include valving means and other internal passageways which must be thoroughly cleaned prior to storage in order to avoid the drying and clogging of the material on the interior of the device.

Therefore, it will be apparent that substantial problems are existent in the use and operation of hand-held liquid applicators of the type in which paint, adhesive or other material is supplied through internal passageways for application through or onto an applicator roller. It is the primary object of this invention to alleviate the aforediscussed problems.

Even more significantly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved carrying and storage case for liquid applicator devices which greatly lessens or eliminates the need for the full cleaning of the device at the close of a workday and which permits storage of the applicator without the need of a complete cleaning for substantial periods without resultant damage to the applicator or the applicator roll.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved storage and carrying case for liquid applicators of the roller type.

Achievement of the objects of this invention is enabled through the provision of a storing and carrying case or container formed unitarily of plastic or the like. The container is formed of a shell including first and second side walls connected by a curved envelope plate with the side walls being shaped to define a roller compartment dimensioned to receive the mounted applicator roll of a hand-held applicator with the roller chamber being inclined at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal and being of generally U-shaped configuration.

The envelope plate also defines in conjunction with the side walls a horizontal handle compartment into which the handle of the applicator is easily positioned. The roller compartment can hold a sufficient quantity of solvent compatible with the work material being used in the applicator to cover the roller and maintain sufficient solvent vapors in the entire device to prevent drying of the parts not covered by solvent.

A T-shaped handle comprising a vertical leg extends downwardly from the lower portion of the handle compartment and terminates in a horizontal handle portion provided for supporting the device with the handle chamber in horizontal orientation when the device is positioned on a relatively flat horizontal surrporting surface. Additionally, the handle member can be manually grasped to carry the container or case from place to place with the handle being positioned adjacent the outer end of the handle compartment so that upon lifting of the handle, the roller compartment assumes a lowermost position with the solvent in the roller compartment remaining in covering relationship to the roller.

Additionally, a hinged closure for the case is provided in that the side wall and the envelope portions defining the handle compartment are separated along a line so that the upper half of the handle chamber can be hingedly pivoted upwardly to provide access to the interior of the case, for either insertion or removal of the liquid applicator device. The applicator device includes a male fitting on one end of the handle which is normally connected to a source of pressurized work fluid during use of the device. This fitting is received in a mating aperture in the end of the handle chamber member wall consisting of a circular opening half formed in the pivotal upper half closure portion of the handle chamber and half formed in the fixed end wall portion of the handle compartment so that opening of the closure releases the connector member in order to permit removal of the applicator from within the device. However, upon closure of the closure member, the handle is effectively retained in fixed position to prevent unwanted movement of the applicator within the container case.

A better understanding of the manner in which the subject invention achieves the objects of this invention will be enabled when the following written description is considered in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in a closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in an open condition;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3.

Attention is initially invited to FIG. 1 which illustrates the preferred embodiment, generally designated 20, in a closed condition supported on a horizontal supporting surface S (FIG. 3). The preferred embodiment comprises a storing or carrying case in the form of a hollow plastic or metal shell defined by first and second identical side walls 22 and 24 which are connected by a curved envelope plate 26. Side wall 22 is formed of an inclined leg plate portion 22' and a horizontal leg plate portion 22"; similarly, wall 24 is formed of an inclined leg plate 24' and a horizontal leg plate portion 24".

The container or case is for the purpose of carrying and/or storing a hand-held roller applicator device 30 of conventional construction forming no part of this invention, but which will be discussed in order to appreciate the purposes of the various details of the invention. The roller applicator 30 includes a handle member 32 having a male connector nipple type fitting 34 extending from one end connected to a pressure hose 13 through which work liquid or the like provided for a roller 36 mounted to receive work liquid supplied by means of a plurality of spray members 38 extending along the length of a supporting manifold 40 positioned adjacent the outer surface of the roller 36.

Roller member 36 is oriented with its axis extending perpendicularly to the handle 32 by means of a hollow connector conduit 42. The handle 32, the connector conduit 42 and manifold 40 etc. all include hollow passageways and/or valving which would be plugged and effectively ruined if the work liquid should be permitted to dry therein.

The envelope plate 26 is curved to define, in conjunction with leg plate portions 22' and 24', a lower inclined roller compartment 44 inclined at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal as viewed in FIG. 3. Compartment 44 is of U-shaped configuration comprising linear side leg plates 46 and 48 connected by a curved end portion 50 of the envelope 26. Solvent 47 can be provided in compartment 44 to a depth sufficient to fully cover the roller 36 and the associated nozzles 38 etc. to prevent the drying out of work liquid therein.

A horizontal handle compartment 60 defined on its sides by horizontal leg plates 22" and 24" extends horizontally from the upper end of the roller chamber 44 and includes envelope portions including a horizontal floor plate 62, an end wall plate 64 and an upper plate 66. The upper portion of the handle compartment 60 is divided along a line 70 to define a pivotal closure member 72 connected to the fixed portion of the upper plate 66 by hinge means 74.

A latch 76 permits the closure member 72 to be latched in closed position and a semi-circular opening 80 in the lower edge of the closure member 72 (FIG. 2) faces a similar opening 82 in the upper edge of the end wall 64 to define a circular opening through which the male fitting 34 and the end of the supply hose 13 connected thereto extends when the closure member is latched in closed condition as illustrated in FIG. 1. The hose 13 would remain attached to the case during overnight storage at a work location.

A T-shaped member comprising a vertical leg 90 ahving a horizontal handle 92 on its lower end is provided to extend downwardly from the floor plate 62 for supporting the container in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 on a horizontal supporting surface with the handle 92 providing an effective means which can be held in the hand of a user to carry the device in an obvious manner. When supported by handle 92, the roller chamber 44 remains in the lowermost part of the case and the solvent therein remains in covering relation with respect to the roller 36 etc.

Therefore, it will be seen that the instant invention provides a carrying case in which the applicator 30 can be carried or stored for substantial periods of time without necessitating the cleaning of the roller 36 etc. Upwardly extending ridges 93 in the floor plate 62 are provided for permitting the roller to be rolled thereover to remove excess solvent from the pores of the roller.

Numerous modifications of the subject invention will undoubtedly occur to those of skill in the art; however, it should be understood that the spirit and scope of the invention is to be limited solely in light of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A carrying and storing container for a liquid applicator of the type having a cylindrical roller with connector means connecting the roller and a handle extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the roller spaced from the roller, said container comprising a hollow shell member defining a completely closed internal chamber including an inclined roller receiving compartment oriented at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal and of a width sufficient to permit said roller to be positioned therein, said roller receiving compartment being of sufficient depth to permit the holding of solvent liquid in said roller receiving compartment to a depth sufficient to immerse a roller positioned in the roller receiving compartment, said internal chamber also including a closed handle receiving compartment extending unitarily in a generally horizontal direction from the upper extent of said inclined roller receiving compartment and oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to said inclined roller receiving compartment, said portion of the shell member defining said handle receiving compartment including a pivotal closure member hingedly connected to another portion of said shell member and a protrusion member extending downwardly from the portion of said shell defining the lower extent of said handle receiving chamber to engage a supporting surface for supporting the portion of said shell defining said handle receiving compartment in horizontal orientation when the container is positioned on a horizontal support surface said protrusion member comprising a T-shaped handle-leg defined by a vertical leg portion and a horizontal handle portion extending perpendicularly from the lower end of said vertical leg portion.

2. A carrying and storing container for a liquid applicator of the type having a cylindrical roller with connector means connecting the roller and a handle extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the roller spaced from the roller, said container comprising a hollow shell member defining a completely closed internal chamber including an inclined roller receiving compartment oriented at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal and of a width sufficient to permit said roller to be positioned therein, said roller receiving compartment being of sufficient depth to permit the holding of solvent liquid in said roller receiving compartment to a depth sufficient to immerse a roller positioned in the roller receiving compartment, said internal chamber also including a closed handle receiving compartment extending unitarily in a generally horizontal direction from the upper extent of said inclined roller receiving compartment and oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to said inclined roller receiving compartment and a protrusion member extending downwardly from the portion of said shell defining the lower extent of said handle receiving chamber to engage a supporting surface for supporting the portion of said shell defining said handle receiving compartment in horizontal orientation when the container is positioned on a horizontal support surface, said protrusion member comprising a T-shaped handle-leg having a vertical leg portion and a horizontal handle portion extending perpendicularly from the lower end of said vertical leg portion, the portion of said shell member defining said handle receiving compartment including a pivotal closure member and wherein said T-shaped member and said hollow shell are formed of plastic material.

3. A carrying and storing container for a liquid applicator of the type having a cylindrical roller with connector means connecting the roller and a handle extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the roller spaced from the roller, said container comprising a hollow shell member defining a completely closed internal chamber including an inclined roller receiving compartment oriented at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal and of a width sufficient to permit said roller to be positioned therein, said roller receiving compartment being of sufficient depth to permit the holding of solvent liquid in said roller receiving compartment to a depth sufficient to immerse a roller positioned in the roller receiving compartment, said internal chamber also including a closed handle receiving compartment extending unitarily in a generally horizontal direction from the upper extent of said inclined roller receiving compartment and oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to said inclined roller receiving compartment and a protrusion member extending downwardly from the portion of said shell defining the lower extent of said handle receiving chamber to engage a supporting surface for supporting the portion of said shell defining said handle receiving compartment in horizontal orientation when the container is positioned on a horizontal support surface, wherein said shell member includes first and second spaced planar side walls each unitarily formed of an inclined plate and a horizontal plate, a curved continuous envelope extending between and connecting said first and second planar side walls, said envelope including a U-shaped portion defining said roller receiving compartment, a flat horizontal floor portion extending from the junction of said handle receiving compartment and said roller receiving compartment and an upwardly curved end wall termination of said handle receiving compartment and the upper portion of said handle receiving compartment including a pivotal closure member hingedly connected to a horizontal top cover envelope portion extending from the upper side of said roller receiving compartment.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said protrusion member comprises a T-shaped handle-leg defined by a vertical leg portion and a horizontal handle portion extending perpendicularly from the lower end of said vertical leg portion.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said vertical leg portion extends downwardly from the end of said horizontal floor portion adjacent said end wall of the handle compartment.

6. The invention of claim 5 additionally including an aperture partially formed in the end of the handle compartment and partially formed in the closure member for receiving and holding a nipple fitting on the end of the handle of a liquid applicator positioned in the case or container.