EP2490819B1 - Paint container, in particular for paint spray guns - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for mixing and / or storing liquids such as paint or varnish in a paint container, which is intended in particular for use in paint spray guns, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 14. Such a method is made US 6,435,426 known.

In order to obtain the individually desired shades, colors and lacquers are mixed together from several components; Of course, with multicomponent paints the components must also be mixed. For this purpose, color cup with cylindrical or conical, open-top, cup-like shape are often used. Such paint cups are used, inter alia, as paint cups in paint spray guns with which preferably liquid paint or paint mixtures are sprayed manually on the object to be coated, such as car body parts or pieces of furniture. In such paint spray guns the paint cup has a content of usually up to about one liter. For mixing the components manually guided stirring rods can be used, but also motor-driven mixing machines such as shakers, vibrators or the like. Small mixers have been found to be particularly suitable for mixing the color and paint components in the order of magnitude of said volumes, which can put the paint cup in a tumbling motion. The main advantage of these tumble mixers over vibrators is that when using such mixers in the paint or in the paint no micro bubbles or air bubbles arise and therefore the product to be sprayed is particularly homogeneous.

In recent years, on the market, operations have become established in which the paint components are immediately mixed in the container used as paint cups in paint spray guns. In particular, so-called "upside-down" color containers have been used for some years in which the paint cup is closed with a lid having an outlet through which the liquid material can flow into an inlet in the spray gun. Very often, this relatively high, conical cover are used, which have a hollow cylindrical spout that can engage or overlap directly into the inlet of the spray gun. The lid usually have at its end opposite the outlet edge a thread or thread segments, which cooperate with corresponding counter-elements on the paint cup. To prevent tiny solid particles from getting out Contain contaminants that may be present in the liquid to be sprayed, could be entrained by the liquid in the spray gun, a flat screen is often offered, for example, which can be used in the lid of the paint container. The lids are often designed so that the flat screen can be kept in an annular groove or the like inside the lid. It is also possible that the sieve is held by a threaded or snap connection in the lid. In other embodiments, a sieve is plugged into the spout. Such covers, regardless of whether they have to carry a sieve or not, usually made of plastic, the presence of undercuts or gaps is unavoidable.

For mixing the paint or paint components so-called tumble mixer are often used. Tumble mixers generally have an inclined drive shaft for the mixing vessel. For this reason, the mixing cups can not be completely filled unless one wishes to risk that the mix will leak out of the cup during mixing in the tumble mixer or already in the mixer when inserting the cup. If ink cups are filled with a lot of liquid in a tumble mixer, it is to be feared because of the strong movements that the paint or varnish will be thrown relatively high and spout out of the cup. To prevent this, the paint cup can indeed be closed with the lid and therefore the complete paint container can be used during the mixing process. But then it can happen that paint or varnish settles on the undercuts or in the columns of the lid and remains there. If a flat sieve is also fastened in the lid, there is even the danger that a part of the liquid first flows through this sieve during the mixing process and then flows back incompletely into the paint cup and therefore the components are not completely homogeneously mixed with one another. The screen could be added in certain areas with solid impurity particles and thereby clogged. Mixing without a sieve in the cup and a subsequent insertion of the sieve would be complicated to handle, since the lid is covered after mixing inside with paint or varnish. Furthermore, it can not be ensured that material which is pressed through the screen at the beginning of the mixing process adversely affects the color tone or the color mixture.

The object of the invention is to provide a method with which in particular liquid paint or paint can be mixed easily using a motor-driven mixer and after the color or paint can be stored easily.

This object is achieved according to claim 1. Here, an intermediate cover is understood to mean a component which serves for the temporary closure of the ink container and which is to be used only during the mixing of paints or varnishes. With the proposed use of an intermediate cover in particular the contamination of technologically complex, valuable "upside-down" covers for paint cups of paint spray guns can be easily prevented and the handling can be improved.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is proposed to form the intermediate cover as a foil, that is to say as a particularly thin, flat metal or plastic part. For example, aluminum foils or household cling films can be used as intermediate lids. Such films are generally self-adhesive and known by the term adhesive films, it is then unnecessary a fastener for the film on the paint cup or on the lid. After mixing, the films can be easily peeled off the beaker by hand. However, a film can also be temporarily attached to the paint container by means of a retaining element such as an elastic rubber band, a cable tie, staples, adhesive tape or the like.

The film can also be attached by means of retaining elements, which are parts of the paint container.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the film can be additionally secured by means of a screw or snap lid. The intermediate cover is accordingly in this case in several parts.

Furthermore, it is proposed to use a snap or screw itself as an intermediate cover and equip this intermediate cover in a further embodiment with sealing elements such as foam discs or the like.

Another advantageous embodiment is the design of the intermediate cover as a pressure element, which can act as a sealing plug in another embodiment.

A particularly high level of operational reliability is ensured if the pressure element is secured by means of at least one elastic, in particular spring-elastic clamp.

Further advantageous details and embodiments of the invention are apparent from the other claims and from the drawings and illustrated embodiments described below.

Fig. 1 bis 7

jeweils einen erfindungsgemäßen Farbbehälter in Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten und verschiedene Ausführungsformen in beiden Hälften,

Fig. 8

ein Halteelement für den Farbbehälter nach Fig. 7 in Draufsicht,

Fig. 9

einen weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Farbbehälter in Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten,

Fig. 10 a bis 10 c

einen speziellen erfindungsgemäßen Zwischendeckel in verschiedenen Ansichten

und Fig. 11

ein Ensemble aus Farbbechern mit dem Zwischendeckel nach den Fig. 10a bis 10c.

The show

Fig. 1 to 7

each a color container according to the invention in side view, partially cut and various embodiments in two halves,

Fig. 8

a holding element for the ink container after Fig. 7 in plan view,

Fig. 9

a further color container according to the invention in side view, partially cut,

Fig. 10 a to 10 c

a special invention intermediate cover in different views

and FIG. 11

an ensemble of color cups with the intermediate cover after the Fig. 10a to 10c ,

The in Fig. 1 shown ink container 1 has a frusto-conical paint cup 2 and a similarly shaped lid 3 as main components, in the FIGS. 1 . 2 . 4 and 6 is shown in the removed state. The paint cup 2 has a volume content of about 300, 600 or 900 ml, is thin-walled, due to the small wall thickness and the selected material slightly elastically deformable, transparent and provided on its side wall 4 with mixing scales (not shown). The lid 3 is here about half as high as the color cup 2. Both the color cup 2, as well as the lid 3 is made of plastic; usually injection molded. For technical reasons and for mechanical stabilization of the lid on its inner side 5 may have some undercuts, columns and paragraphs 6.

The paint cup 2 has a circular disk-shaped bottom 7, to which a support edge 8 is preferably integrally formed, by means of which the paint cup 2 can stand independently on a base. In the bottom 7 of the paint cup 2, a ventilation mechanism 9 is provided with a ventilation opening in the present embodiment, which can be closed by a valve (not shown). The valve of the venting mechanism 9 must be open during spraying of the paint or the paint, so that no unwanted vacuum forms, because this would result in a non-uniform spray pattern. When filling the paint cup 1 and mixing the ingredients, the valve must be closed to prevent unwanted material leakage. Of course, other ventilation mechanisms for paint cup are known and can be applied to the ink container 1 according to the invention.

Near the cup opening 100 of the paint cup 2 is provided according to this embodiment at the top 10 with a plurality of external thread segments 11, which serve to connect the paint cup 2 with the lid 3.

The lid 3 has for connection to the cup 2 an annular edge 12, on the inside of a plurality of thread segments 13 are provided, in which the external thread segments 11 of the cup 2 can engage appropriately. On the inside of the annular edge 12, a sealing edge 122 is integrally formed on the upper, in the direction of the central axis 200 of the lid 3 bent end 121 which extends in the embodiment approximately parallel to the cylindrical portion 123 of the annular edge 12 in the interior of the lid 3 , The annular lid edge 12 is followed by a conical wall 14 and, in turn, a tubular extension 15, which is provided near its free end with an external thread 16. About halfway up the lid 3, a shoulder 6 is provided with a short cylindrical portion 17 on the inside 5 of the lid 3, on the inside of a close-meshed flat screen 18 may be attached.

The cup 2 can be filled with the cover 3 through the opening 100 with a liquid, in particular a paint or paint components, preferably by means of a manually operable spray gun on an object such as a motor vehicle fender or on a piece of furniture such as a wall unit can be applied. When the cup 2, as described above, having a venting mechanism 9 with a valve, the valve must of course be closed when filling the cup 2, so that no paint or no paint can drip out of the bottom 7 of the cup 2. Subsequently, the lid 3 is turned on the upper edge 10 of the paint cup 2 and thereby on the thread segments 11, 13 and the sealing edge 121 of the lid 3, which is then supported on the upper cup rim 10, a liquid-tight connection between the cup 2 and lid 3 and thus ultimately the paint container 1 made. Thereafter, the connection opening of the spray gun on the tubular extension 15 or be used after it has been turned upside down. For spraying, the spray gun is turned over. The valve of the ventilation mechanism 9 is then opened. The liquid to be sprayed then flows through the tubular extension 15 of the lid 3 evenly into the spray gun, which in the present embodiment is operated with compressed air. The ink container 1 thus has in the lid 3 an outlet for the paint or the paint. This method has become known as "upside-down"; the ink container 1 described is sold under the name "RPS cup" in various sizes by the applicant of this patent.

If paint or varnish components have to be mixed in advance, the paint container 1 can be used directly for this purpose without the need for an extra mixing container. Particularly homogeneous and bubble-free, paints or varnishes in paint containers with volume contents of about 300 to about 900 ml can be mixed by means of table models of motor-driven tumble mixers. In order to prevent the paint or coating liquid during mixing in the paint container 1 against the inside 5 of the lid 3 or even against the screen 18, possibly even sloshes through it and adheres to the undercuts, columns or paragraphs 6 or solid Fixing liquid components on the screen 18, an intermediate cover 19 is provided according to the invention.

At the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, the intermediate cover 19 is formed as a flexible PE or PVC film with self-adhesive properties (adhesion film) and a thickness of about 0.04 mm. Such films are known as cling films from the food industry. In the present case, the film 19 is preferably cut to a size which is greater than the diameter of the Farbbechers 2 at its upper edge 10. In the present embodiment, in which the cup diameter in the region of the opening 100 is about 100 mm, the film 19 has a diameter of about 150 mm; Accordingly, its surface is about 13% larger than the area of the opening 100 in the cup 2. The film 19 may accordingly about 25 mm projecting beyond the cup rim 10 around. However, the film 19 can also be cut to such an extent that it only protrudes about 10 to 15 mm. Of course, the film 19 does not necessarily have to be cut round; For example, it can also have a rectangular shape. This procedure is particularly suitable for films that are wound on a roll and can be demolished by a tear-off, which is provided on a carton. However, if the film 19 is cut round according to the cup shape, the result is a more visually advantageous image.

After the paint cup 2 has been filled with the paint liquid to be mixed without the cover 3, the film 19 is manually pulled over the opening 100 and the cup rim 10 and pressed against its outside. In the present embodiment, the film 19 then extends approximately 25 mm down the cup rim 10 and thus abuts the cup 2 over a relatively large area. In this way you can prevent the color liquid or the paint sloshes even at high level of two-thirds or more of the cup 2, if this is for mixing in the tumble mixer.

After mixing the color liquid, the film 19 is simply removed by hand from the beaker and the lid 3 is placed on the paint cup 2. The paint container 1 is now ready for spraying the paint.

A greater security against the undesirable leakage of color liquid during mixing, when wrapped around the film 19, a holding member such as a rubber elastic band, a cable tie, a belt or the like. Such a holding element could be supported in the region of the thread segments 11 on the cup 2.

It is also conceivable to temporarily attach the film 19 to the cup 2 by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an adhesive tape. The adhesive could be applied all around or pointwise on the container surface. The tape could be in short strips on the film 19 and attack on the cup 2 or be performed around both components.

An even greater security is given when the lid 3 is screwed over the film 19 on the cup 2, because the cover 3, as described above, is tightly fitted to the cup 2 and accordingly the film 19 can keep up with good. It fits in practice a flexible film with such a small thickness easily between them and the lid 3 can be unscrewed well anyway. Of course, in this variant, the film 19 does not need to adhere to the cup 2; It also does not need to be placed on the cup beforehand, but may also be placed on the underside of the lid 3 or suspended in the air until the lid 3 contacts the cup rim 10. After mixing, the lid 3 is removed, the film 19 removed by hand and the lid 3 is placed back on the cup 2.

On the cup rim 10 could also be given a pressure-sensitive adhesive over which the film 19 can be temporarily attached to the cup 2. On the other hand, pressure-sensitive adhesive could also be applied to the sealing edge 122 of the lid 3 and the film 19 could even be fastened inside the lid 3 in this special way.

In Fig. 1 a four further variants are shown, by means of which a film 19 can be attached either to the paint cup 2 or the lid 3 of the paint container. In the first variant shown in the left half of the lid 3, a plurality of small, spherical buttons 20 are integrally formed and articulated on the edge 12 in each case via a film hinge 21. The buttons 20 can be pushed through the film 19, then bent upwards and pressed into locking holes 22 which are slightly larger than the buttons 20 and provided on the outside in the cylindrical portion 123 of the annular edge 12 of the lid 3, whereby the film 19 is held. In the second variant, which is shown in the right half of the lid 3, the lower edge 12 terminates in a plurality of flat, triangular prongs 23, which are close together. The prongs 23 are integrally formed on hinged hinges 24 on the lid edge 12 and hinged. They can be pushed with their tips through the film 19, then bent upwards and pressed against the lid edge 12, so that the film 19 is held. Of course, the film 19 should not be taut in both variants, but hang down loosely so that it does not break when the lid 3 with the Slide 19 is held over the opening 100 and screwed onto the cup 2 and the cup rim 10 engages in the film 19.

At the in Fig. 1 a third variant shown in the left half of the cup 2 are similar to the second variant, a plurality of flat, triangular prongs 23 for fixing the film 19 is provided. The prongs 23 are integrally formed at a distance via folding hinges 24 at the upper edge 10 of the cup 2 that they do not come into contact with the external thread segments 11 when folding.

The fourth, shown in the right half of the cup 2 fourth variant has similar to the first variant small, spherical buttons 20, which are integrally formed via a respective film hinge 21, but in contrast to the first variant this time on the cup 2. The buttons 20 can be pushed through the film 19, after it has been pulled over the cup rim 10, and then hanging loose. In these two variants, the film 19 can be tightened tighter than in the two variants described above, because the attached to the cup 2 film 19 is overlapped by the lid 3. When mounted on the lid 3 variants in which the cup rim 10 engages the film 19, however, there is the risk that the film 19 is damaged by the cup rim 10 at a too tight clamping of the film 19.

In further variants, not shown, several through holes could be provided in the edge 10 of the cup 2 or in the edge 12 of the lid 3, are pulled through the paper clips or the like, where the film 19 can be attached.

Of course, in all variants described, the film 19 need not necessarily be made of plastic, it may also be made of metal, for example of aluminum. It is only important that the film 19 is pliable so that it can be applied tightly on the cup 2 or on the lid 3.

In the left half of the Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of the invention, in turn, the cup 2 is provided both as a mixing cup, as well as a color cup for the paint spray gun. During its use as a mixing cup, the cup 2 is covered with a mixing lid 25. The mixing lid 25 is cylindrically shaped, has a circular, flat and smooth bottom 26 and at its annular edge 12 a plurality of internal thread segments 13 which match the external thread segments 11 of the cup 2. In the present case, the cup 2 in the region of the annular edge 12 has a height of about 15 mm and a diameter of about 100 mm; the mixing lid 25 has a height adapted to the size of the edge 10 of the cup 2 also about 15 mm and an inner diameter of about 100 mm. On the inside of the annular edge 12, a sealing edge 122 is integrally formed on the upper, in the direction of the central axis 200 of the lid 25 bent end 121 which extends in the embodiment approximately parallel to the cylindrical portion 123 of the annular edge 12 in the interior of the lid 25 , The mixing lid 25 is designed in the present embodiment in its connection region with the cup 2 as well as the basis of the Fig. 1 and 1 a described "upside-down" lid 3. It is completely made of an elastic plastic in the present embodiment. For use, the Mischdeckeol 25 is screwed through the opening 100 on the cup rim 10, resulting in an absolutely liquid-tight connection.

When in the right half of the Fig. 2 variant shown, the mixing lid 25 has no sealing edge. In general, this is also a tight closure of the cup 2 possible.

After mixing the paint or paint, the mixing lid 25 is unscrewed. After that, for example, the in Fig. 1 shown "upside-down" lid 3 are screwed onto the cup 2. The mixing lid 25 thus serves only as an intermediate cover, which, if desired, can be disposed of after use. In particular, if the mixing lid 25 at least on its inside has a smooth surface, but it can be easily cleaned and reused if desired. The variant described has the advantage that the relatively valuable "upside-down" cover 3, which is used for paint spraying, is spared. Due to its flat shape, the mixing lid 25 has a small footprint when storing and can be offered in a stacked form.

In a variant, not shown, the mixing lid 25 may be provided instead of having female thread segments with a complete internal thread when the cup has a corresponding external thread. In another variant, also not shown, the mixing lid 25 instead with locking elements be equipped, which interact with locking elements on the cup 2. The mixing lid 25 could also be completely smooth, ie designed without latching elements or the like and simply clamped or clipped onto the edge of the cup. Of course, for this purpose, at least one of the components must have elastic properties in its connection region with the respective other component.

In particular, if you want to use the mixing lid 25 or intermediate cover again, it is recommended to put a film 19 between the cup 2 and lid 25 before screwing the mixing lid 25 on the cup 2. As a result, contamination of the inside of the mixing lid 25 is prevented and even better ensured that a liquid-tight connection between the cup 2 and cover 25 is made. In a further embodiment, in the right half of Fig. 2 is shown, a sealing disc 27 is additionally inserted into the lid 25 before it is screwed onto the cup 2. In the present embodiment, the sealing disc 27 has a height of about 2 mm and consists in the present embodiment of a foam. The use of other soft materials such as paperboard, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), thermoplastic polymers (TPE), etc. is also possible. Optionally, even here, the film 19 may be interposed. All individual parts can be connected to each other, for example by gluing, so that they can not move against each other. In this variant, there is absolutely no danger that when mixing in a tumble mixer paint from the cup 2 could slosh.

In particular, in the latter variant, the mixing lid 25 may be made of a non-elastic material, such as glass or metal.

In another, not shown embodiment, the mixing lid 25 may be provided instead of inner segments 13 or an internal thread with external thread segments or with an external thread, which cooperate with corresponding counter-elements on the cup 2 or the lid 3. When lid 3, the counter-elements could for example be provided on an inner rim, which is arranged at a distance from the annular edge, so that the mixing lid 25 can be securely screwed into the lid 3. This embodiment with an engaging in the lid 2 or cup 3 intermediate cover has the advantage that the cup 2 on upper cup rim 10 or the lid 3 on the inside of the annular edge 12 can not be contaminated by paint or varnish.

On closer inspection, in such embodiments, the intermediate cover is thus composed of several components, namely the mixing lid 25 and the film 19 or from the mixing lid 25 and the sealing disc 27 or from the mixing lid 25, the sealing disc 27 and the film 19 or the like.

Since the mixing of lacquers and paints may cause heat to develop due to the shearing of material which occurs, as a result of which components, in particular solvents and other liquids, evaporate and as a result can develop an overpressure in the interior of the mixing vessel, it is proposed to use the mixing lid 25 and optionally also the sealing disk 27 to be provided with at least one small vent hole, which may be provided in a further embodiment with a sealing valve (not shown). Preferably, this vent hole is designed as a bore and arranged in the middle of the components.

The film 19 does not necessarily require a vent hole; "Breathable cling films, for example polyethylene (PE), which allow air and heat exchange or pressure reduction, are commercially available." Also with other films, if they are elastic, a vent hole can be dispensed with.

Out Fig. 2 is still seen that the cup 2 is placed for mixing in a quiver 28, the bottom 29 is provided with a hole 30, in which a shaft journal 31 of the tumble mixer can engage. The cup 2 also has in this embodiment a ventilation mechanism 9 with valve (not shown). The paint or the paint are placed in the cup 2 with the valve closed and then added the additives or the paint or paint components in the prescribed ratio. Subsequently, the filled cup 2 is closed with the mixing lid 25 and mixed to mix the ingredients on the shaft journal 31 in a tumbling motion. The advantage of this method over vibrators is that no microbubbles and the like arise in the paint liquid. It is advantageous for process safety if the recipe and mixing times are specified electronically by the tumbler mixer.

In Fig. 3 an embodiment is shown in which the opening 100 is covered in the cup 2 during its use as a mixing cup with a plug 32. The plug 32 has a conical base body 33 whose diameter in the upper region is smaller than the diameter of the cup 2 at its upper edge 10. In the present embodiment, the plug 32 is made of cork. But it could also consist of another elastic material or, if the cup 2, as is made in the present embodiment of an elastic plastic, made of an inelastic plastic, metal or glass. At the interior of the cup rim 10 locking lugs or the like could be provided for holding the plug 32. In the present embodiment, the cup 2 is about 150 mm high and the plug 32 is about 10 mm high. Due to the flat shape of the plug 32, the cup 2 can be almost completely filled with the mix. After the cup 2 has been filled with the color components to be mixed, the plug 32 is pressed into the cup 2. Due to the elastic deformation of the plug 32 and / or of the cup 2, the bottom of the conical base 33 results in a liquid-tight connection between the cup 2 and the plug 32. After mixing, the plug 32 is pulled out of the cup 2; the center of the plug 32 arranged retaining knob 34 facilitates this process. The plug 32 can then either be disposed of or cleaned, which is particularly easy if it is made of steel or glass and has a smooth surface, and reused after cleaning.

In order to avoid contamination of the plug 32 and to achieve an even safer seal, in addition, a film 19 between the plug 32 and the cup 2 can be attached. Then this intermediate cover is formed in several parts.

In the plug 32 (as in the previously described mixing lid 25) may be provided a small vent hole through which the overpressure can be derived, which may arise when mixing paints and varnishes.

At the in Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment of the ink container 1, which is apparent from the basis of FIG. 1 composed color cup 2 and associated "upside-down" cover 3 is, during the time in which paints or varnishes are mixed in the paint container 1, a clamping plate 35 as an intermediate cover intended. The clamping plate 35 is slightly conical in accordance with the cup shape and the opening 100 and has at its upper edge a plurality of short, rectangular downwardly directed resilient hook elements 36. The clear width of the hook 36 is adjusted to the wall thickness of the cup rim 10 in that after the hook elements 36 have been pushed onto the cup rim 10, the clamping disk 35 is held in a force-fitting manner on the cup 2, whereby a liquid-tight connection between cup 2 and the intermediate lid 35 is ensured.

In the present embodiment, the clamping plate 35 together with the hook 36 is integrally made of steel. The clamping plate 35 could also be made of a plastic with elastic properties. It may have been produced as a thermoformed or molded part. Likewise, the clamping plate 35 may consist of glass. It is only important here that one of the two components, ie either the cup or the clamping disc, has elastic properties, so that the opening 100 can be closed by a clamping connection.

It is also conceivable to subsequently attach the hooks 36 to the clamping disk.

Of course, the hook elements 36 are so short and arranged that they do not touch the thread segments 11 on the cup 2. Therefore, the lid 3 can also be screwed onto the cup 2 during mixing while the intermediate cover 35 is inserted. As a result, the liquid-tight connection is further improved.

If the clamping disk 35 were turned over, it could also be attached to the lid 3 instead of the cup 2.

In a variant, not shown, the hook elements 36 could be joined together to form a circumferential collar.

In all variants, the intermediate cover 35 is accordingly one-piece.

Of course, in this embodiment, a film could be used in addition, which is held here by means of the clamping disc 35 on the cup 2.

(The intermediate cover would then be multi-part). The advantages would also be an even safer seal and easier reusability of the clamping plate 35 without prior cleaning.

The embodiment according to Fig. 5 shows a pressure plate 37 as an intermediate cover. The pressure plate 37 has the shape of a circular disc whose diameter was greater than the diameter of the cup 2 at its upper edge 10, ie in the region of the opening 100 was selected. It can thus rest well on the cup rim 10 and cover the opening 100 suitable. In the present embodiment, the pressure plate 37 is made entirely of a non-elastic plastic material. But it could also be made of steel or glass. Mixed forms are also possible. The pressure plate 37 has at least on its underside 370 a perfectly smooth surface. The smooth surface ensures that material which is thrown against the pressure plate 37 during the mixing process returns well and runs back into the cup 2; the pressure plate 37 is then only slightly dirty.

In the left half of the Fig. 5 illustrated variant, a conical recess 371 is provided in the bottom 370 of the pressure plate 37, by means of which the components can be precentered prior to assembly. Furthermore, here an annular groove 372 is embedded. In it, a sealing member such as a sealing ring, O-ring 375 or the like can be fixed.

According to the right in Fig. 5 illustrated variant may be provided under the pressure plate 37, an elastic plate 373 or an intermediate layer of foam, elastomeric plastic or the like.

The pressure plate 37 is held on the cup 2 by means of a clip 38 with resilient properties. For this purpose, the bracket 38 has a convex made of a sheet metal strip or plastic center part 39, which is about 20 mm wide and in the present embodiment, in which the diameter of the cup 2 is about 150 mm and the diameter of the pressure plate 37 is about 160 mm which is followed on both sides in each case by a concavely curved spring leg 40 or 41. The clip 38 is accordingly similar to a clip for a mason jar. The bracket 38 is supported with its central part 39 on a Andruckstutzen 42 from which stands up in the region of the central axis 200 of the circular disk 37 and facilitates the correct positioning of the clip 38. With the spring legs 40, 41, the clip 38 engages from below under the cup rim 10. If the cup 2 thread segments would have (see, eg Fig. 1 ), the spring legs 40, 41 could attack here. In any case, a liquid-tight connection between the pressure plate 37 and the cup 2 is ensured by the attachment of the pressure plate 37 by means of the spring legs 40, 41.

If desired, another clip 38 could also attack the pressure plate 37 in a criss-cross manner.

If necessary, it is possible to dispense with the pressure connection piece 42, because this serves primarily as a positioning element for the correct positional application of a single clamp 38.

In a variant, not shown, it is provided that a plurality of short spring legs not from above, but laterally on and overlap and hold the pressure plate on the cup rim in the manner of a clip.

In the right half of the Fig. 5 is indicated that even with the use of a pressure plate in addition a film 19 for liquid-tight connection between the pressure plate 37 and the cup 2 can be provided. As a result, the safety of the seal can be further increased and soiling of the pressure plate 37 can be avoided, so that it can be reused without prior cleaning.

At the in Fig. 5 A variant shown is the opening 100 in the cup 2 also with a pressure plate 37 and optional (left half of FIG. 5a ) additionally covered with a film 19. The cup 2 is housed here in a holding system 43 which has a beaker 44 for the cup 2. The beaker 44 has in its upper region a widening 45 of larger diameter, which ends in a horizontally bent shoulder 46, which extends in sections over the circumference of the overbeaker 44. At its bottom 47, the overbeaker 44 has a plurality of support blocks 48 for the correct positioning of the cup 2. The cup 2 engages over to the support blocks 48 with its support edge 8. The support blocks 48 are slightly higher than the support edge 8 of the cup 2 designed. Instead of the support pads 48, an annular support rim or the like could be provided. On such supports could be waived if desired, on the mixing result, they have no influence.

The cup is held together with the pressure plate 37 and optionally together with the film 19 by a spring bar 49 which engages under the shoulder 46 of the overbeaker 44 on the one hand and on the other hand in the region of the center of the pressure plate 37 is supported, which also in this embodiment with the previously described Andruckstutzen 42 is equipped.

The spring bar 49 can be used without any problems, because the shoulder 46 extends only partially in the overbeaker 44. The spring bar 49 can thus be inserted into a void space between two shoulder portions 46 and then rotated until its two ends engage under two shoulder portions 46, which are diametrically opposed to each other.

This embodiment becomes even safer if several spring rods 49 are used crossed over.

In a further embodiment, an elastic plate 373 or an intermediate layer of foam, elastomeric plastic or the like could also be provided here.

If desired, a small vent hole can also be provided in the pressure plate 37.

In the pressure plate 37 or another pressure plate, the sealing stress could be generated instead of means of the retaining clip 38 or by means of the spring rod 49 with eccentric or cams, screws, toggle levers or similar tensioners. Also, the cup 2 additional rings could be plated, which could be supported for example on the thread segments or protruding cylindrical lugs on the cup. Levers, tensioners or similar elements that transmit the sealing stress to the pressure plate could then also act on these rings.

Of course, meaningful combinations of the individual embodiments are possible.

In Fig. 6 Again, a color and mixing cup 2 and an associated lid 3 are indicated, which can serve together as a color container 1 in the application of paint or paint on an object. The lid 3 is as in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 equipped with a flat sieve 18. To protect against contamination during mixing here the flat screen 18 is provided on its side facing the cup 2 with a protective film 50 which is removed again after mixing. The protective film 50 is designed like the flat screen 18 circular. In the present embodiment, the protective film 50 is glued to the screen 18 at some points. For ease of removal, the protective film 50 is provided with a tear-off tab 51. In this embodiment, however, there is a risk that contaminates the inside 5 of the lid 3 when mixing the color.

The protective film 50 acts here as an intermediate cover when mixing the paint or lacquer components.

The film thickness may be 0.04 mm, possibly 0.1 or 0.15 mm in all the embodiments shown above.

In the in Fig. 6 in the left half indicated embodiment, the film 19 is glued to the sealing edge 122 of the lid 2, clipped or stretched between them.

Instead of a film 19 and a disc could be pushed into the sealing edge 122, inserted or glued.

In the case of the two last-indicated variants, there is the advantage that the inside of the cover 2 becomes dirty over a smaller height than in the variant with the film 19 fastened to the flat screen 18.

In a special embodiment, the paint cup 2 of the paint container 1 according to Fig. 6 be equipped with a relative to the paint cup 2 very thin-walled inner cup 500. The inner cup 500 is made of a plastic material as Tiefziehfolie and is preferably transparent or translucent, whereby the reading of Mixing scales, which may be present on the side wall 4 of the cup 2, is made possible. In addition, the transparency or show through makes it possible to recognize how much material is still present during spraying or the like. The shape of the inner cup 500 corresponds to the shape of the cup 2 such that it can fit tightly against the inside of the side wall 4 of the cup 2. With its upper edge 501, it relatively loosely engages around the upper edge 10 of the cup 2. The inner cup 500 may under certain circumstances stand or not itself and optionally be foldable. The purpose of the inner cup 500 is to absorb the paint or varnish, whereby the provided with thread segments, threads, mixing scales or the like and therefore relatively valuable cup 2 when spraying paint or varnish remains completely clean, so that it can be used without any problems even if the paint or material changes without prior cleaning. The simpler designed and thus less valuable inner cup 500 can be disposed of after use. According to the invention, the inner cup 500 should also be used during the mixing process, if the cup 2 does not serve as a color cup, but directly as a mixing cup.

Also, the paint container 1 according to Fig. 6 can have a ventilation mechanism 9 in the bottom 7 of the paint cup 2; On the other hand, a ventilation mechanism could be provided here in the side wall 4 of the paint cup 2. This is possible because on the side wall 4 no paint or no paint vorbeifließt because the material is in the inner cup 500. The ventilation mechanism can also be accommodated in the lid 3. The latter can also be the case in all other previously described embodiments of paint containers.

In Fig. 7 a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown. The paint cup 2 is designed as in the examples described above, is accordingly frusto-conical, has a volume content of about 300, 600 or 900 ml, is thin-walled, due to the small wall thickness and the selected material slightly elastically deformable, transparent and on its side wall 4 with Mixed scales provided (not shown).

The paint cup 2 also has here a circular disk-shaped bottom 7, to which a support edge 8 is integrally formed, by means of which the paint cup 2 can stand independently on a base. In the bottom 7 of the color cup 2 is also based from Fig. 1 Ventilation mechanism 9 described provided with a ventilation opening, which can be closed by a valve (not shown).

Near the cup opening 100 of the color cup 2 is also here at the top 10 equipped with a plurality of external thread segments 11, which serve to connect the paint cup 2 with the not shown here "upside-down" cover or with another cover. The cup 2 is accordingly a commercially available flow cup for the supply of material to paint spray guns, printing machines or the like.

The cup 2 can now also be used directly as a mixing cup, especially in a machine such as a tumble mixer. For this purpose, it is tightly closed by means of a pressure plate 37, whose diameter is about 10 mm larger than the opening 100 in the cup 2, whose diameter is about 100 mm in the embodiment. It can thus rest well on the cup rim 10 and cover the opening 100 suitable. In the present embodiment, the pressure plate 37 is about 10 mm thick. It has a smooth surface everywhere. It is made of a plastic.

In the left half of the Fig. 7 variant shown in the lower side 370 of the pressure plate 37 an annular groove 372 is inserted. In this annular groove 372, a sealing element such as a sealing ring, O-ring 375 or the like can be fixed or the cup rim 10 engage properly. A conical recess 371 facilitates centering.

However, the sealing element 375 or another sealing element could also be provided on the cup 2, preferably on the upper edge 10 thereof.

According to the right in Fig. 7 variant shown, similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 5 , under the pressure plate 37, an elastic plate 373 or a layer of foam, elastomeric plastic or the like may be provided. The elastic plate 373 may be adhered to the underside 370 of the pressure plate 37. Then it is particularly easy to ensure that the plates 37 and 373 can not move against each other.

In these variants, a film between the cup 2 and pressure plate 37 could be placed.

A small vent hole or pressure equalization hole may also be provided.

In the present embodiment, the pressure plate 37 used as an intermediate cover during mixing is held particularly secure by means of a described in more detail below and in Fig. 8 holding ring 376 shown separately. The holding ring 376 is annular and is pushed onto the cup 2 from below. It is designed with an inner diameter d, which is smaller than the outer diameter D of the cup 2 in the region of the cup rim 10. In the present embodiment, the diameter ratios are selected so that the retaining ring 376 about 10 mm below the cup rim 10 and approximately at the level of the thread segments 11 comes to the concern. At at least two opposite locations of the retaining ring 376 has on its outer surface a protruding eyelet 377. In each eyelet 377 can engage a clamp 378, on the other hand is supported on the pressure plate 37.

The clamp 378 has resilient properties and is made in the present embodiment of an approximately 20 mm wide sheet metal strip. But it can also be made of plastic.

In the embodiment, the clamp 378 is bent like a hook and has at a first end formed as a groove recess 379, which is dimensionally matched to the diameter of the eyelet 378. At the first end of the clamp 378, a straight portion 380 connects, which extends vertically upwards and slightly protrudes in the mounted state on the cup 2 on the pressure plate 37. The straight region 380 is adjoined by an angled shoulder 381, which is approximately V-shaped in side view or in cross-section. Such or similar clamps 378 are sometimes used with preserving jars. The clamp 378 engages the pressure plate 37 with the actually rounded tip 382 of the V-shaped shoulder 381. In the present embodiment, the pressure plate 37 has for this purpose a plurality of the number of terminals 378 corresponding grooves 383. But it could also be provided a circumferential groove, in which the terminals 378 can engage or snap.

In the present embodiment, an absolutely liquid-tight connection between serving as an intermediate cover during mixing pressure plate 37 and serving as a mixing cup and later serving as a color mug 2, so that when mixing in a machine such as a tumble mixer there is no danger that material from the cup. 2 slops.

In FIG. 9 the paint cup 2 of the paint container 1 is closed by another intermediate cover 19 according to the invention, which is designed essentially as a circular disk with a peripheral edge 400. The intermediate cover 19 itself is from the FIGS. 3a to 3c very clearly visible. It is injection molded from a resilient plastic material, but could also have been made by deep drawing from such or other material. In the present embodiment, it is also transparent, so you can easily determine the state and the amount of paint, paint or other material to be mixed by looking through the intermediate cover 19.

The edge 400 of the intermediate cover 19 extends in the assembled state from the central region 401 of the circular disc upwards; the intermediate cover 19 engages in the interior of the paint cup 2. The dimensions, in particular the diameter of the intermediate cover 19, are chosen so that the edge 400 of the intermediate cover 19 fits snugly against the inside of the upper cup rim 10, so that the cup 2 is now closed in airtight and liquid-tight manner. In the present embodiment, the intermediate cover 19 is made of a resilient plastic, so that the edge 400 of the intermediate cover 19 can cling particularly well to the cup 2. Thus, the intermediate cover 19 can be securely positioned in the cup 2, a peripheral, bent outward Knickrand 405 at the upper end of the rim 400 is provided as a further advantageous detail. By means of this Knickrandes 405, the intermediate cover 19 is supported on the upper edge of the cup 10. In another embodiment, the bending edge could also be U-shaped and surround the cup rim 10.

The intermediate cover 19 is particularly good from the FIGS. 10a to 10c seen.

For convenient handling, the intermediate lid 19 is equipped with a gripping device 402. The gripping device 402 is designed as a gripping edge, which extends around the entire circumference of the intermediate cover 19. Specifically, here the gripping edge 402 is formed as a groove which is substantially rectangular in cross-section and which is approximately the same width as deep. The depth of the groove 402 is smaller than the height of the edge 400 of the intermediate cover 19. The width of the groove 402 corresponds to about 20% of the diameter of the intermediate cover 19. In the present case, the width dimension of the groove 402 is about 5 mm. The groove 402 extends at a distance on the gap 403 to the edge 400, between which comfortably fit human fingers. Therefore, the intermediate cover 19 can be conveniently inserted into the cup 2 and again removed from this cup 2 and preferably disposed of. It could also be cleaned and reused.

With the intermediate cover 19 according to the invention, it is possible to effectively prevent the paint liquid from sloshing out of the cup 2 even at a high level of two-thirds or more, when it is in the tumble mixer for mixing.

In general, it is advisable to additionally seal the paint cup 2 with the lid 3 during mixing. The intermediate cover 19 is thereby secured. The interior of the relatively valuable lid 3 and the screen 18 held therein are not contaminated during mixing, just because the intermediate cover 19 according to the invention is present.

Of course, a cup lid designed differently from the lid 3 could also be used.

Another advantage of the intermediate cover 19 according to the invention is that it allows trouble-free storage of multiple paint cups 2, which are filled with paint or varnish residues, which are to be reused at a later date.

In the present embodiment, the edge 400 of the intermediate cover 19 is about as high as the support edge 8 of the paint cup 2 designed and the groove 402 less deep than the edge 400 allows. Another color cup 2 can thus be placed with the support edge 8 in the gap 403 of the intermediate cover 19 of the first color cup 2, such as FIG. 11 shows. The color cup 2 need not be completely the same, essential is just that they have supports that fit in the 403 gap. It is also possible to provide on the paint cup 2 or another cup supports that do not engage in the gap 403, but engage at or near the inside 404 of the groove 402 in the intermediate cover 19.

If desired, whole towers of such cups can be stored with the intermediate lids 19 according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the intermediate cover could carry a label, which is preferably made by tool embossing during the manufacture of the lid. The intermediate cover can of course also be printed with color.

The invention is of course not limited to the specific embodiments described. Meaningful combinations of the details are readily possible. For example, all additional holding means such as adhesive tapes, staples or the like could also be used on the respective other exemplary embodiments. The spring elements are of course not limited to the types described in detail, but can be replaced by other springs from a variety of materials and embodiments, for example, coil springs.

Of course, the described embodiments and dimensions are only examples that can be varied as desired. They merely serve to illustrate and to better understand the present invention.

The material information is not mandatory; Similarly, the components may consist of material combinations.

"Upside-down cups" may also be used to process or manufacture other flowable media such as fats, oils, chocolate, etc. When mixing components of such media, the intermediate lids according to the invention can of course also be used with advantage.

Nor is the invention limited to the method specifically described and the objects specifically described. The use of an inventive Temporary cap is also possible with differently constructed "upside-down" color containers or with flow cups of conventional design as well as with other cups or containers with other forms of use and purposes.

Claims (15)

1. Method of mixing and/or storing liquids such as paint or varnish, use being made of a paint container (1) which is provided, in particular, for use in paint spray guns and has a paint cup (2) and a lid (3) which can be released therefrom, wherein an intermediate lid (19, 25, 32, 35, 37) is provided, said intermediate lid closing the paint cup (2) or the lid (3) in a sealed manner while liquid components, such as paint or varnish components, are being mixed and/or stored, characterized in that the intermediate lid (19) has a gripping device (402).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate lid (35) is retained on the paint cup (2) or on the lid (3) by clamping action.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate lid (19, 25, 32, 37) engages over the cup (2) or engages in the lid (3).
4. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate lid (37) rests on the cup (2).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate lid (19, 35, 37) is secured in addition.
6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate lid (19) is designed essentially in the form of a disc with an encircling periphery (400), and in that the periphery (400) fits closely preferably against the interior of the paint cup (2).
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate lid (19) is supported on the cup periphery (10) in addition, via an encircling periphery (405).
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paint container (1) is accommodated in a retaining system (43) during the mixing operation.
9. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the retaining system (43) has a casing (44) for the paint cup (2).
10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the retaining system (43) for the casing (44) also serves as a retaining system for the intermediate lid (37).
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner cup (500) is accommodated in the paint cup (2).
12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an air-admission mechanism (9) is provided.
13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paint container (1) has an outlet (15) in the lid (3) for the paint, the varnish or the like and also has a paint cup (2), in particular for use in paint spray guns, which as a base (7) and at least one side wall (4) and which, at its end located opposite the base (7), has an opening (100), which can be closed in a sealed manner by the intermediate lid (19, 25, 32, 35, 37) while paint or varnish components are being mixed and/or stored.
14. Method of mixing and/or storing liquids such as paint or varnish, use being made of a paint container (1) which is provided, in particular, for use in paint spray guns and has a paint cup (2) and a lid (3) which can be released therefrom, wherein an intermediate lid (19, 25, 32, 35, 37) is provided, said intermediate lid closing the paint cup (2) or the lid (3) in a sealed manner while liquid components, such as paint or varnish components, are being mixed and/or stored, characterized in that the intermediate lid (19, 25, 32, 37) is designed in the form of a flexible film (19) or contains such a film (19).
15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate lid (19) is produced from a plastics material.

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