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Title:
FOLDER FOR SHEETS WITH A TEST AREA FOR PAINT SPRAY GUNS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/087263
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Described herein is a folder (1), which can be hung on a wall, for sheets with test area for paint spray guns (SG), wherein the folder (1) can be suspended on a wall made of metal material by means of one or more magnets (26) provided thereon.

Inventors:
MATSUMOTO TAKUYA (IT)
NEGRI MARCO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2013/058635
Publication Date:
June 12, 2014
Filing Date:
September 18, 2013
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
ANEST IWATA EUROP S R L (IT)
International Classes:
B42F9/00; B42D5/00; B42F13/00; B42F15/00; F41J1/10
Domestic Patent References:
WO2012090524A12012-07-05
Foreign References:
US5709409A1998-01-20
US20030177683A12003-09-25
US20110233916A12011-09-29
BE332501A
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BUZZI, Franco (Notaro & antonielli d'Oulx S.r.l.Via Maria Vittori, 18 Torino, IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A folder (1; 1') that can be hung on a wall for sheets (14) with a test area for a paint spray gun (SG) , characterized in that it includes one or more magnets (26) configured for the suspension of said folder (1) on a metal wall.

2. The folder (1; 1') according to Claim 1, including a body (2) having a first flap (4) having at least one set of retention devices (12A, 12B) for sheets with a test area, wherein said one or more magnets (26) are arranged on a back surface (B4) of said first flap (4), opposite to said at least one set of retention devices (12A, 12B) .

3. The folder (1, 1') according to Claim 2, wherein the body (2) further includes a second flap (6) that can be folded on said first flap (4) .

4. The folder (1; 1') according to Claim 3, including a resting configuration in which said second flap (6) is folded on said first flap (4) so as to hide a block of sheets with a test area installed in said folder (1) and a working configuration in which said second flap is in a position deployed with respect to said first flap (4) so as to render said block of sheets with test area (14) accessible.

5. The folder (1; 1') according to Claim 3, wherein said second flap (6) can be locked on said first flap (4) by means of a further magnet (26B) .

6. The folder (1; 1') according to Claim 2, wherein said first flap (4) includes a handle (24) configured for facilitating the displacement and the transfer of said folder (1) .

7. The folder (1; 1') according to Claim 2, wherein said at least one set of retention devices is of the type including one or more compression elements (18) configured to compress the sheets with a test area (14) on the body (2) of said folder (1) .

8. The folder (1; 1') according to Claim 2 or 7, wherein said one or more sets of retention devices (12A, 12B) are of the compression-bar type (18) .

9. The folder (1; 1') according to Claim 7, wherein said one or more set of retention devices include a first and a second threaded bushing configured to engage on a pair of threaded pins (16) whereon said sheets (14) with a test area are fitted.

10. The folder (1; 1') according to Claim 7, further including one or more magnets (26A, 26C), configured for holding the compression bar of a corresponding one of said one or more sets of retention devices (12A, 12B) when the bar is disengaged and set aside.

11. The folder (1') according to any of the previous claims, further including a device (G) for indicating the orientation of said folder (1') with respect to a reference direction.

12. The folder (1') according to Claim 11, wherein said device (G) for indicating the orientation includes a bubble gauge (G) .

Description:
"Folder for sheets with a test area for paint spray guns "

-k -k -k -k

Field of the invention

The present invention relates in general to folders for sheets with test area for paint spray guns, in the case in point to a type of folders that can be hung on the wall of a paint-spray booth.

Prior art

Known in the state of the art is a wide range of devices of the type referred to above, all of which are provided in the form of a folder with rings for holding a block of test sheets and are configured so that they can be hung on a wall.

Said devices are very useful in the field of paint spraying since paint spray guns, during their working life, are subject to phenomena of wear on account of the high-speed flow of the paint and, at times, to clogging of some of the nozzles that spray the paint on account of accumulation and subsequent solidification in loco of the paint itself. Said phenomena of course have a marked impact on the painting quality, which deteriorates considerably and in some cases can lead to rejection of the painted product since it does not meet the expected quality standards .

The sheets inside the folder have a graduated test area which has, for example, concentric bands that enable determination of the characteristics of the spray generated by the gun.

However, even though folders of a known type are objects that are simple to devise and very easy to use, they include devices for hanging them on a wall that are designed in such a way as to render said operation rather long and troublesome to carry out. In a known example, hanging the folder on a wall is obtained with a metal band provided with one or more hooks which are configured for engaging in corresponding seats provided on the body of the folder itself. Said metal band is fitted on the rings that hold the sheets inside the folder itself, and in the case where the aim were to carry out a check on the performance of a paint spray gun, it would be necessary to perform the sequence of operations described in what follows.

In the first place, it is necessary to disengage the metal band with the hooks from the rings that hold the sheets. Then, it is necessary to fix the metal band on the wall of the paint-spray booth, for example by means of screws and/or nails. This constitutes evidently the longest step of the process of installation of the device inside the paint-spray booth and moreover requires the availability of tools that often are not present inside the booth itself.

It is then necessary to fit the folder on the hooks of the metal band hanging on the wall and only then can it be used.

In case it were to be needed to remove the folder, it is evident that the above sequence should be repeated in reverse. In the case in point, it would be necessary to undo the screws (or remove the nails) that hold the metal band on the wall, with a consequent further waste of time.

Given that the operation of testing of a paint spray gun should be carried out in as short a time as possible, it is evident that the devices currently available on the market cannot meet said need in so far as the number and the amount of the operations necessary for installation of the folder for sheets on a wall far exceed the optimal values for economically advantageous use of said equipment.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to solve the aforesaid technical problems.

In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a folder - of the type that can be hung on a wall - for sheets with a test area for paint spray guns in which the operations of installation and removal of the folder itself on/from the wall of a paint-spray booth can be carried out in a time span that is as short as possible, at the limit almost negligible.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is achieved by a folder having the features forming the subject of one or more of the ensuing claims, which form an integral part of the technical disclosure herein provided in relation to the invention.

In particular, the object of the invention is achieved by a folder that can be hung on a wall for sheets with a test area for paint spray guns, characterized in that it includes one or more magnets configured for hanging said folder on a metal wall.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will now be described with reference to the annexed figures, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folder according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the folder is illustrated in a first configuration;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view according to the arrow II of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 1 but illustrating a second configuration of the folder; - Figure 4 is a detailed view according to the arrow IV of Figure 3 and illustrating an operating condition of the folder according to the invention,

- Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged perspective views of details indicated by arrows V and VI, respectively, in Figure 4,

- Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of an advantageous variant of the folder according to the invention, and

- Figure 8 is a detail view of a component indicated by the arrow VIII in figure 8.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In Figure 1 the reference number 1 designates as a whole a folder for sheets with a test area for paint spray guns according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The folder 1 comprises a body 2 generally made of dinked paper material or of plasticised material in turn including a first flap 4 and a second flap 6, which can be folded on said first flap 4.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, preferably the first flap 4 and the second flap 6 are articulated to one another thanks to the interposition of a band 8 integral with the flaps 4, 6 themselves and articulated with respect thereto by means of a first folding line 10 and a second folding line 12, which define a so- called "living hinge".

The first flap 4 includes a front surface F4, arranged on which are a first set of retention devices 12A and a second set of retention devices 12B, both configured for holding on the flap 4 a block of sheets with test area, said block being designated as a whole by the reference number 14 and being mountable inside the folder 1.

It should be noted that the folder 1 can be provided without the block 14, which can be sold as a separate accessory or else can be provided together with the block 14.

In some embodiments, it is envisaged that only the set of retention devices 12A is present, for reasons that will emerge clearly hereinafter. With reference to Figures 4 to 6, preferably each set of retention devices 12A, 12B includes a metal base (not illustrated) fixed to the first flap 4, from which two pins 16 project that have a centre distance centres such as to mate with the standardized punch holes made on the block of sheets 14.

Fitted on the pins 16 is a clip 18 of the compression bar type including a metal bar 19 with a slit, by means of which it can be fitted on the pins 16 and a button locking element 20 which causes radial constriction of the pins 16 themselves via a metal wire 22.

Such device is in any case per se known and will not be described any further herein; it is in general a preferred choice since it enables on average a faster disengagement of the sheets as compared to ring devices. This does not, however, exclude that in alternative embodiments a traditional ring-type system be envisaged, possibly with a lever for release of the rings themselves, which is also per se known.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, with reference in particular to Figures 3, 4, 5, the clip 18 can be used for keeping in position not only the block 14, but also a spacer ruler RL, which shall have corresponding openings for fitting on the pins 16 and is commonly used in the testing operation of the paint spray gun, as will be described in detail in what follows.

In yet further embodiments the pins 16 may be threaded so as to engage thereon a first and a second threaded bushings (shaped at least roughly in a manner similar to a tap knob) which hold the sheets of the block 14 on the body 2 of the folder 1, similarly to what already performed by the clips 18. The two bushings may be made of plastic or metal material and are preferably threaded on the spacer ruler RL itself, which is also made to exert a substantially compressive action on the block 14.

Substantially, in the embodiments shown herein, the set(s) of retention devices is always of the type including one or more compression elements (the compression bars 18 or the threaded bushings) configured to compress the sheets with a test area of the block 14, which are fitted onto the pins 16, on the body 2 of the folder 1.

Moreover provided on the front surface F4 is a handle 24 in order to facilitate the movement, carrying, and installation of the folder 1.

Provided on a back surface B4 of the first flap 4 is a first magnet 26, preferably of the permanent type and rectangular in shape, fixed for example by means of gluing. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments the magnet 26 may be in the form of a number of distinct magnets and possibly set in different positions on the first flap B4.

By way of example, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures the magnet 26 is a single one, rectangular in shape and positioned at the top of the first flap 4 substantially in a position corresponding to that of the handle 24.

In other embodiments, it is, however, possible to have the magnet 26 set at the centre of the first flap 4 (once again on the back surface) or else it is possible to have a pair of magnets 26 arranged at opposite ends of the flap 4 substantially in a position corresponding to the handle 24 and to the second set of retention devices 12B, or again two magnets set alongside each other in a position corresponding to that of the magnet 26 in Figure 2.

In alternative embodiments, it is moreover possible to provide one or more magnets enclosed within the first flap 4 and performing the function of the magnet 26. The magnets can be enclosed by manufacturing the body 2, for example, as a layered structure of paper or plasticised material and rolling (or simply including) the aforesaid magnets between the layers of the body 2.

Further magnets are moreover provided, albeit preferably for different purposes, on the body 2, namely :

- a second magnet 26A located preferably in a corner of the first flap 4 in the proximity of the handle 24;

- a third magnet 26B and a fourth magnet 26B

(note: it is also possible to provide a single magnet 26B) located at one end of the second flap 6 opposite to the folding line 12; and

- a fifth magnet 26C located on the band 8.

The function of said magnets, all preferentially of a permanent type, will emerge clearly from the functional description of the folder 1, which follows in the next paragraphs .

Moreover, at the end of the second flap 6, opposite to that where the second folding line 12 is located, there is provided a closing element 28, preferably in the form of a strip of fabric or plastic material, which may have at one end thereof a snap button socket configured to engage with a corresponding stud of the snap button on the front surface F4 of the first flap 4 or else a disk of ferromagnetic material that thus provides a magnetic closing device co ¬ operating, for example, with the magnet 26. The operation of the folder 1 and of all its components is described in what follows.

With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the folder 1 can generally assume a pair of operating configurations, including a resting/transfer operating configuration, which is represented schematically in Figure 1 and wherein the second flap 6 is folded on the first flap 4 thus concealing the block 14, and a second working configuration, represented schematically in Figure 3, in which the flaps 4, 6 are in a deployed position to define substantially a single rectangular flap. In the resting/transfer position, the magnets 26B keep the flap 6 folded on the flap 4 thanks to the force of magnetic attraction developed on account of the interaction with the magnet 26.

The folder 1 is arranged for being applied on a wall, preferably in the resting/transfer configuration of Figure 1 by means of the magnet 26. As it is known, the walls of a paint-spray booth are made of metal material, in particular ferromagnetic material, so that the folder 1 can be applied to the wall and kept there simply by the magnetic attraction force developed by the magnet 26.

After being applied to the wall, the folder 1 is opened by disengaging the closing device 28 (of whatever type it may be) and by deploying the second flap 6.

In said working position, illustrated in Figure 3, the deployment of the flap 6 renders the block of sheets 14 accessible, and in this case the magnets 26B keep the flap 6 open and properly deployed, adhering (once again, clearly, by magnetic attraction) to the metal wall of the paint-spray booth.

The equipment for testing the paint spray gun can now be prepared. For this purpose, with reference to Figure 5, it is possible to disengage the first set of retention devices 12A by releasing the compression bar 18. Whilst the compression bar 18 is disengaged, it is possible set it aside right on the body 2 thanks to the magnet 26A. Note in fact that generally compression bars are made of ferromagnetic material and thus are subject to the action of a force of attraction when immersed in the magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet (or whatever type of magnet it may be) .

Of course, in the area where the magnet 26A is located there may act also a magnetic attraction force due to the vicinity of the magnet 26 so that positioning of the compression bar 18 does not necessarily have to be made precisely in the area where the magnet 26A is located.

The spacer rule RL is thus made accessible, and can thus be removed from the pins 16 and used for establishing a reference distance between the nozzle of a paint spray gun designated by SG in Figure 4 and the plane of the block of sheets 14. The reference SP moreover designates a spray generated by the gun SG.

In the embodiments wherein it is envisaged a retention assembly comprising two bushings engaging on threaded pins 16, the spacer ruler RL may be held in the same position by the bushings themselves (instead of the clips 18) and it can be released by undoing the bushings and thereby disengaging the latter from the pins 16.

Each sheet constituting the block 14 comprises a graduated testing area with concentric bands through which it is possible to determine what are the characteristics of the spray SP and the state of efficiency of the paint spray gun SG, in particular whether there is any clogging in the paint-spray nozzles and/or whether the aforesaid nozzles are excessively worn.

At the end of the test spray, the sheet of the block 14 that has been used must be analysed, and for this purpose it is possible to disengage the second set of retention devices 12B by releasing the sheet 14 definitively. Like the set 12A, the compression bar 18 of the set 12B can be set aside directly on the body 2, in particular on the diaphragm 8 thanks to the force of attraction exerted by the magnet 26C.

In general, the magnets 26A, 26C are configured for holding the compression bar of a corresponding one of the sets of retention devices 12A, 12B when said bar is disengaged and set aside. However, this does not preclude the possibility of providing just one of the magnets 26A, 26C and using it as receptacle for all the compression bars, or alternatively the possibility of providing further magnets similar to the magnets 26A, 26C in other positions on the body 2 so as to constitute a number of receptacles for the compression bars (or other small metal items) and increase the convenience of use of the folder 1.

When threaded bushings are used instead of compression bars, they can be set aside on the body 2 similarly to what described in respect of the compression bars 18, of course provided that the bushings are made of metal material and are sufficiently light (the magnets 26A, 26C are in fact intended to hold the bushings against the action of the g-force)

By repositioning the compression bars 18 on the pins 16 (or similarly, the threaded bushings), it is possible to lock the sheets 14 again in position and then proceed to the removal of the folder 1 from the wall of the paint-spray booth in the case where there is no need for further tests. For this purpose, it is sufficient to bring the second flap 6 back into a folded position on the flap 4, noting that the former remains blocked in position on the latter thanks to the magnets 26B and, subsequently, thanks to the closing device 28 of a magnetic or snap type. The operator can then simply detach the folder from the wall by acting on the handle 24 and overcoming the force of attraction of the magnet 26.

It is evident then that the entire sequence of operations just described is performed in an extremely short time. In the case in subject, thanks to magnetic technology the operator does not need to provide holes on the wall of the paint-spray booth, and the folder can thus be easily installed and removed for being transferred to another work station. Moreover, the handle 24 considerably facilitates transferring from and to the paint-spray booth also in the case where the operator has his hands occupied.

Note, moreover, that the way in which the flap 6 is deployed with respect to the flap 4 is substantially from top down, where by top and down is meant the directions identified by the arrows U, D, respectively, in Figure 3. In this way, unlike devices of the known art that envisage opening of a "book" type (horizontally) , the operator does not run the risk of accidental closure one of the flaps on the block of sheets 14 while carrying out the test.

Moreover, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that in order to keep the block 14 in position, strictly speaking just the set of retention devices 12A would be necessary in so far as the block 14 would remain in any case in a vertical position optimal for testing the spray gun SG on account of the gravity force. However, it is preferable to provide also the set 12B in so far as it provides a further constraint and prevents any fluttering of the sheets of the block 14 that might occur on account of the air mass displaced by the spray SP.

Of course, the embodiments and the details of construction may vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the annexed claims.

With reference in this respect to figures 7 and 8, an advantageous variant of the folder 1 is indicated by the reference 1' . All the components identical to those previously described are designated by the same reference number. The folder 1' is substantially identical to the folder 1, but it includes, additionally, a bubble gauge designated by the reference G (figures 7 and 8) and applied to the body 2, particularly to the front surface F4. The bubble gauge G includes (in this embodiment) a parallelepiped body Gl made of transparent material wherein a cavity G2 is provided having a longitudinal axis XG, in this embodiment provided as a through hole closed at the ends thereof by a pair of caps G3, G4. A pair of reference rings G5 are located along the cavity G2 so as to provide a position reference. The cavity G2 is partially filled with a liquid so as to leave room for an air bubble BU which acts as a gauge. Thanks to the provision of the bubble gauge G it is possible to check the correct orientation of the folder 1' when hung on a wall by means of the magnet (s) 26: should the orientation not be the optimal one, the user can provide for the adjustment of the position. The orientation of the folder 1 on the wall is important in so far as the correct positioning of the graduated scale of the sheets of the block 14 with respect to the spray gun depends thereon. It is to be noted that the bubble gauge G is oriented with the longitudinal axis XG parallel to the shorter side of the folder 14, so that the bubble BU is located between the two rings G5 when the folder 1' is arranged perfectly aligned to the vertical in the position illustrated in figure 7.

Of course, further devices configured for indicating the orientation of the folder with respect to a reference direction and equivalent to the bubble gauge G may be used, for example electric or electronic pointing devices may be used, for example laser gauges or ultrasonic gauges .

It is, in the end, to be noted that the magnets

26A, 26B in figure 7 are shown in dashed lines in so far as they may be provided, preferentially and as already indicated in the foregoing, rolled within the layers of paper material (for example paperboard) that constitute the body 2 of the folder 1' .