Coating implements with material supply – Including stylus – Axially movable by pressure on work surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-29
2001-07-03
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Including stylus
Axially movable by pressure on work surface
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254299
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel and useful system for applying paint, which is particularly applicable to the repair of chips, dents, or scratches on a painted or coated surface.
Painted surfaces, especially those found on vehicles, are subject to the occurrence of damage. For example, damage to painted surfaces on vehicles may take the form of chips, dents, scratches, due to extraneous material contacting the vehicle, collisions with other vehicles or objects, and the like.
In the past, damaged painted surfaces have been corrected in various ways. For example, one method requires sanding an area larger than the actual area of the damage followed by painting over the sanded area, or an area larger than the sanded area. Typically, this type of repair employs elaborate automotive refinishing equipment, such as compressed air sanders, paint guns, polishers, and the like. Moreover, repairing damage to painted surfaces in this manner requires a skilled artisan and consumes a great deal of time and expense.
Another method of repairing damage to a painted surface utilizes an airbrush to fill the damaged area with paint or other colored material. The repairing material is sprayed in minuet amounts and at a low volume, by passing compressed air through the airbrush onto a small circular target. Unfortunately, the airbrush repair method does not fill chips, scratches, or dents accurately, especially if the damaged area is of an irregular configuration. Typically, material migrates to areas that are undamaged and must be removed using paint solvents or polishing materials. In addition, airbrush repairs always produce “overspray”, i.e. where excess paint coats surfaces in the immediate area to the damaged painted surface. Such a method is time consuming, expensive, and may only be performed by a person of sufficient skill and training.
A simpler method of repairing damage to a painted surface is to employ a container of touch-up paint and a brush, normally attached to the cap or lid of the touch-up paint container. Again, applying touch-up paint to a damaged area is difficult and results in an inconsistent repair due to drying agents, which tend to harden the paint being applied on the paint brush before application to the surface being repaired. Normally, the repaired area is still visible after completion utilizing this method.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,540,303, 4,838,723, and 5,468,082 show pen nib systems for dispersing ink.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,812,071, 4,923,317, 5,388,925, and Des. 329,253 describe correction fluid pen devices using nibs or styluses.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,457,014, 3,879,141, and 5,421,664 show fluid applicators which are capable of delivering viscous fluids including water base solvents.
A system for repairing damage to painted surfaces which is easily accomplished would be a notable advance in the maintenance and repair field.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful system for repairing painted surfaces is herein provided.
The system of the present invention utilizes a housing which is preferably of a size and proportion to be hand held. The housing includes a reservoir which is capable of holding a paint composition of a certain characteristic. The housing may be formed of a flexible material such that squeezing or applying pressure to the same also applies pressure to the paint composition found within the reservoir.
A nib is also found in the present invention and is slidably supported by the housing. The nib is located in the passage way which communicates with the reservoir. The nib is preferably constructed to confine the nib to the housing yet permit the nib to slide or float. Thus, when a force is applied to the paint composition in the reservoir either by gravity or by squeezing the housing, paint flows from the reservoir to the passageway and outwardly from the housing at the nib, which serves as a regulator of the flow rate of paint composition.
The paint composition employed in the present invention and located in the reservoir within the housing is formed of a composition that includes a pigment and a solvent. The solvent is found in combination with the pigment in sufficient amount to determine the viscosity of the paint to operatively range between 25 and 115 centipoise, measured at 22° C. In certain cases, the preferred range of viscosity of the paint composition lies between 40 and 95 centipoise. The optional range for viscosity of the paint composition is between 63 and 88 centipoise at 22° C.
The pigment of the paint of the composition is combined with a solvent, typically a low-viscosity volatile liquid which is used in the present invention, to optimally set the viscosity of the paint composition for compatibility with the applicator unit. That is to say, the paint composition must flow from the reservoir, through the passageway, and to the nib for purpose of applying the paint to a body which, requiring repair of a painted surface. The solvents of the present invention may be selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetone, methethyl ketone, and methylisobutyl ketone. Such ketones and esters have been found to be satisfactory as viscosity adjusting components of the paint composition of the present invention.
In addition, the solvent may be selected from the group consisting of butyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol.
Further, solvents selected from the group consisting of benzol, toluol, xylol, and high-flash naphtha may also satisfactorily adjust the viscosity of the paint composition of the present invention.
The pigment of the paint composition may be of any type sufficient to provide a coating property for repair of damage to a painted surface. That is to say, the pigments may provide a decorative function to contribute opacity, color, and gloss control. In addition, pigments also provide protective qualities to the final paint composition after it has hardened. In this regard, pigments may of any class, including white hiding pigments, extender pigments, black pigments, and any other color pigments known in the art. In addition, metallic pigments may be used based on metals such as aluminum, bronze, zinc, and lead.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful paint application system for preparing a painted body has been described.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a paint applicator system which is simple to use and which successfully effects repairs of damage to painted surfaces such as chips, scratches, and dents.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint applicator system which may be performed by a person who is not highly trained in the art of paint repairing methods and techniques.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a paint application system which eliminates expensive equipment, and may be performed in a time period which is substantially less than the time required using techniques and system of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint applicator system which eliminates inaccuracies in applying paints, characteristic of the systems of the prior art.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a paint application system in which a paint composition may be stored in a applicator unit for a long period of time, since drying agents are not used in the paint composition of the present invention.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 329253 (1992-09-01), Sekiguchi
patent: 3457014 (1969-07-01), Ward
patent: 3879141 (1975-04-01), Shulman
patent: 4383062 (1983-05-01), Saad et al.
patent: 4540303 (1985-09-01), Gigli
patent: 4685820 (1987-08-01), Kremer et al.
patent: 4812071 (1989-03-01), Batra et al.
patent: 4838723 (1989-06-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 4923317 (1990-05-01), Bishop et al.
patent: 5008328 (1991-04-01), Nakai et al.
patent: 5388925 (1995-02-01), Wil
deVore Peter
Huson Gregory L.
Russo Timothy M.
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