초록 ▼

An apparatus is provided for cleaning paint rollers and/or brushes. It comprises a roller cover/brush holder that may be coupled to a drill or other power tool, and a container and cap assembly. Advantageously, the container accommodates the holder and a roller cover or paintbrush with a minimal eff

An apparatus is provided for cleaning paint rollers and/or brushes. It comprises a roller cover/brush holder that may be coupled to a drill or other power tool, and a container and cap assembly. Advantageously, the container accommodates the holder and a roller cover or paintbrush with a minimal effective volume of cleanser. The cap closes and substantially seals the container to contain spray or spillage during high-speed rotation of the holder within the container. In use, the container is filled with cleanser, such as soapy water, and the roller is spun for several minutes. The container is drained, then refilled with rinse water and the process is repeated as needed. The roller or brush may be spun dry after cleaning, or between wash and rinse cycles. The apparatus provides effective cleaning with a reduced volume of water or cleanser and requires minimal clean-up.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for cleaning a paint roller cover, comprising: a power tool attachment comprising a paint roller cover holder, the holder extending axially on a shaft having a first end for coupling to drive means of a power tool for high speed rotation of the holder;a container assembly comprising

1. An apparatus for cleaning a paint roller cover, comprising: a power tool attachment comprising a paint roller cover holder, the holder extending axially on a shaft having a first end for coupling to drive means of a power tool for high speed rotation of the holder;a container assembly comprising a tubular container and a removable cap,the tubular container having a sidewall, a closed end at its base, and an open end for receiving the holder of the power tool attachment with a roller cover mounted on the holder,the cap being of unitary construction and comprising a first inner portion that extends into the open end of the container and engages an inner part of the sidewall of the container, and a second inner portion of the cap defining a cylindrical opening through a center of the cap receiving the shaft in axial alignment within the container,a quick release fastening removably securing the cap to the container in sealing engagement with the open end of the container,the second inner portion of the cap having a thickness in an axial direction greater than the diameter of the cylindrical opening and comprising radial and axial strengthening around the cylindrical opening to provide a bearing surface for rotation of the shaft within the cylindrical opening, the bearing surface providing lateral stability maintaining the shaft and roller holder in axial alignment relative to the sidewall of the container assembly during high speed rotation of the power tool attachment; andthe container having a length and diameter accommodating the holder for rotation within the container, with clearance between the holder and the sidewall of the container for a roller cover mounted on the holder together with a surrounding volume for liquid comprising water or other cleansing agent or rinse agent. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 for cleaning a roller cover of diameter d, wherein the diameter of the container is not more than three times the diameter of the roller cover. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the diameter of the container is not more than two inches greater than the diameter of the roller cover. 4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the diameter of the container is not more than one inch greater than the diameter of the roller cover. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container has a fill volume of less than 5 liters. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 for cleaning a standard roller cover, and wherein the container has a fill volume of 2 to 3 liters. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said volume of liquid comprises a prescribed volume of liquid, comprising one of cleansing agent, rinse agent, solvent, and water, sufficient for effective cleaning using several cycles. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container comprises a fill level indicator for a prescribed amount of liquid, comprising one of cleansing agent, rinse agent, solvent, and water, sufficient for effective cleaning using several cycles. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the quick release fastening removably securing the cap to the container comprises a coarsely threaded screw coupling or a bayonet coupling or other twist lock fastening. 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container and cap are fabricated from a molded plastic/resin material. 11. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an exterior surface of the first and second inner portions of the cap forms an outer recess around the cylindrical opening in the cap. 12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the radial and axial strengthening around the cylindrical opening comprises strengthening ribs extending radially around the cylindrical opening in the cap. 13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an exterior surface of the cap comprises an outer recess around the cylindrical opening, and wherein the power tool attachment has a length approximately equal to the length of the container assembly, and wherein, in a retracted position for storage, the attachment is held in axial alignment within the container assembly the first end of the shaft extending through the cylindrical opening into the outer recess and without the first end protruding beyond the length of the container assembly. 14. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the holder further comprises a paintbrush holder. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the holder comprises a cylindrical portion extending from the shaft for holding a roller cover and a clamp means for holding a paint brush handle within the cylindrical portion. 16. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container assembly further comprises: a valve for draining and/or filling the container, and/or a sealing element disposed between the open end of the container and the cap. 17. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container assembly further comprises: a handle and/or a stand. 18. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bearing surface of the opening in the cap comprises a bushing for removably receiving the shaft in axial alignment with the cap and container. 19. A paint roller/brush cleaning kit comprising the apparatus of claim 1 for cleaning a roller cover or brush of a first size, and further comprising an additional container assembly and/or holder for cleaning a roller cover or brush of a second size, and/or separate holders for a roller cover and a brush. 20. A paint roller cover cleaning apparatus, comprising: an attachment comprising a paint roller cover holder extending axially on a shaft having a first end for coupling to drive means of a power tool for high speed rotation of the holder;a container assembly comprising a tubular container and a removable cap,the tubular container having a sidewall, a closed end at its base, and an open end capable of receiving the holder of the attachment with a roller cover mounted on the holder, the container having a length and diameter providing clearance between the holder and the sidewall for accommodating the roller cover and a surrounding volume of liquid,the cap being of unitary construction and comprising a first inner portion that extends into the open end of the container and sealingly engages an inner part of the sidewall of the container, and a second inner portion of the cap defining a cylindrical opening through a center of the cap, receiving the shaft of the attachment therethrough, in axial alignment within the container,a quick release fastening removably securing the cap in sealing engagement with the open end of the container,the container comprising holding means for steadying and tilting the container assembly, andthe second inner portion of the cap having a thickness in an axial direction greater than a diameter of the cylindrical opening and comprising radial and axial strengthening around the cylindrical opening to provide a bearing surface for rotation of the shaft within the cylindrical opening, the bearing surface providing lateral stability maintaining the shaft and roller holder in axial alignment relative to the sidewall of the container assembly during high speed rotation of the attachment and when the container assembly is tilted.