BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to a fluid applicator. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fluid applicator and a fluid application system for applying a fluid to a substrate.

2. Description of the Related Art

Rollers are used to apply paints and other liquids to a desired surface. Rollers hold a liquid on the outer surface or nap of the roller until it is desired to apply such liquids. As a roller is placed in contact with a substrate, the liquid is transferred from the outside of the roller to the contacted substrate. However, when the substrate is channeled, corrugated, or ribbed such surface irregularities prevent the surface of the roller from contacting the substrate to be coated.

For example, a roof panel that is formed with ribs and channels will have a surface that is undulated. As a conventional roller is used with such a surface, the liquid cannot be adequately transferred from the roller to the substrate because the roller cannot contact all of the areas of the substrate or roof panel. The areas of the substrate that are not contacted by the roller do not receive the liquid. This results in many areas of the substrate being uncovered by the liquid.

To attempt to coat these uncovered areas of the substrate, the roller must be placed in awkward orientations to try to transfer the coating from the roller to the substrate. This method of application makes the process of coating a channeled surface very difficult. This process is time consuming and often it is impossible to reach all of the surfaces to be coated. Furthermore, the person maneuvering the roller is placed in danger as they attempt to orient the roller to the channeled surface.

An additional challenge that arises when applying fluids to a desired surface includes providing a continual supply of the fluid to a roller, at the application location, that will be used to transfer the fluid to the desired surface. Carrying, moving, or transporting a reservoir of fluid to an application location is often not practical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a coating applicator that applies a coating or liquid to a variety of different substrates having different contoured surfaces. The present disclosure provides a coating applicator that is able to reach, contact, and cover the entirety of a contoured substrate. In this manner, the coating applicator is able to transfer a coating to the entirety of the contoured substrate. Additionally, fluid application systems of the present disclosure include systems for advantageously providing a fluid to a fluid applicator

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating applicator for applying a coating to a substrate includes a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first diameter and the second portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter.

In one configuration, the first portion includes a first section and a second section and the second portion is between the first section and the second section. In another configuration, the body includes a third portion between the first portion and the second portion. In yet another configuration, the third portion is tapered. In one configuration, the coating applicator comprises a roller. In another configuration, the substrate has a first contoured surface and a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface, the first portion of the coating applicator is adapted to cover the first contoured surface of the substrate and the second portion of the coating applicator is adapted to cover the second contoured surface of the substrate. In yet another configuration, the coating applicator includes a nap material removably attachable to the body of the coating applicator, the nap material adapted to receive the coating and apply the coating to the substrate. In one configuration, the nap material is transitionable between an undeformed position and a deformed position in which the nap material is adapted to variably cover the substrate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating applicator for applying a coating to a substrate includes a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first contoured surface and the second portion having a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface.

In one configuration, the substrate has a first substrate contoured surface and a second substrate contoured surface different than the first substrate contoured surface, the first portion of the coating applicator is adapted to cover the first substrate contoured surface and the second portion of the coating applicator is adapted to cover the second substrate contoured surface.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating applicator for applying a coating to a substrate includes a body having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the first portion having a first contoured surface, the second portion having a second contoured surface, and the third portion having a third contoured surface, the third contoured surface different than the second contoured surface and the first contoured surface, and the second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface.

In one configuration, the substrate has a first substrate contoured surface, a second substrate contoured surface different than the first substrate contoured surface, and a third substrate contoured surface different than the first substrate contoured surface and the second substrate contoured surface, the first portion of the coating applicator is adapted to cover the first substrate contoured surface, the second portion of the coating applicator is adapted to cover the second substrate contoured surface, and the third portion of the coating applicator is adapted to cover the third substrate contoured surface.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating applicator for applying a coating to a substrate having a first contoured surface and a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface includes a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first diameter and the second portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter, the first portion adapted to cover the first contoured surface of the substrate and the second portion adapted to cover the second contoured surface of the substrate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating application system for applying a coating to a substrate includes a carrier; a first coating applicator for applying the coating to the substrate, the first coating applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the first coating applicator comprising a first body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first diameter and the second portion having a second diameter different than the first diameter; and a second coating applicator for applying the coating to the substrate, the second coating applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the second coating applicator comprising a second body having a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion having a third diameter and the fourth portion having a fourth diameter different than the third diameter.

In one configuration, the first diameter of the first portion of the first coating applicator is different than the third diameter of the third portion of the second coating applicator. In another configuration, the second diameter of the second portion of the first coating applicator is different than the fourth diameter of the fourth portion of the second coating applicator. In yet another configuration, the carrier includes a movable support for transporting the carrier along the substrate. In one configuration, the movable support comprises a wheel. In another configuration, the carrier comprises a tank spreader. In yet another configuration, the carrier comprises a frame and a handle extending from the frame. In one configuration, the substrate has a first contoured surface and a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface, the first portion of the first coating applicator is adapted to cover the first contoured surface of the substrate and the second portion of the first coating applicator is adapted to cover the second contoured surface of the substrate. In another configuration, the substrate has a first contoured surface and a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface, the third portion of the second coating applicator is adapted to cover the first contoured surface of the substrate and the fourth portion of the second coating applicator is adapted to cover the second contoured surface of the substrate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating application system for applying a coating to a substrate includes a carrier; a first coating applicator for applying the coating to the substrate, the first coating applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the first coating applicator comprising a first body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first contoured surface and the second portion having a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface; and a second coating applicator for applying the coating to the substrate, the second coating applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the second coating applicator comprising a second body having a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion having a third contoured surface and the fourth portion having a fourth contoured surface different than the third contoured surface.

In one configuration, the first contoured surface of the first portion of the first coating applicator is different than the third contoured surface of the third portion of the second coating applicator. In another configuration, the second contoured surface of the second portion of the first coating applicator is different than the fourth contoured surface of the fourth portion of the second coating applicator. In yet another configuration, the carrier includes a movable support for transporting the carrier along the substrate. In one configuration, the movable support comprises a wheel.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating applicator for applying a coating to a substrate includes a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first diameter and the second portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter; and a plurality of flexible elements removably attachable to the body of the coating applicator, the plurality of flexible elements receive the coating and apply the coating to the substrate.

In one configuration, the plurality of flexible elements are transitionable between a first position in which the plurality of flexible elements contact and cover a first substrate having a first shape and a second position in which the plurality of flexible elements contact and cover a second substrate having a second shape, the second shape different than the first shape. In another configuration, the plurality of flexible elements comprise a nap. In yet another configuration, the first portion includes a first section and a second section and the second portion is between the first section and the second section. In one configuration, the body further includes a third portion between the first portion and the second portion. In another configuration, the third portion is tapered. In yet another configuration, the coating applicator comprises a roller. In one configuration, the substrate has a first contoured surface and a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface, and the plurality of flexible elements flex to contact and cover the first contoured surface and the second contoured surface of the substrate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating applicator for applying a coating to a substrate includes a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first contoured surface and the second portion having a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface; and a plurality of flexible elements removably attachable to the body of the coating applicator, the plurality of flexible elements receive the coating and apply the coating to the substrate.

In one configuration, the plurality of flexible elements are transitionable between a first position in which the plurality of flexible elements contact and cover a first substrate having a first shape and a second position in which the plurality of flexible elements contact and cover a second substrate having a second shape, the second shape different than the first shape. In another configuration, the substrate has a first contoured surface and a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface, and the plurality of flexible elements flex to contact and cover the first contoured surface and the second contoured surface of the substrate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a coating applicator system includes a first substrate having a first shape; a second substrate having a second shape, the second shape different than the first shape; and a coating applicator for applying a coating, the coating applicator comprising: a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first diameter and the second portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter; and a plurality of flexible elements removably attachable to the body of the coating applicator, the plurality of flexible elements receive the coating and apply the coating to the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the plurality of flexible elements are transitionable between a first position in which the plurality of flexible elements contact and cover the first substrate and a second position in which the plurality of flexible elements contact and cover the second substrate.

In one configuration, the plurality of flexible elements comprise a nap.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid application system for applying a fluid to a substrate includes a carrier; a fluid applicator for applying the fluid to the substrate, the fluid applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the fluid applicator comprising a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first contoured surface and the second portion having a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface; and a fluid dispensing portion for applying the fluid to the fluid applicator, the fluid dispensing portion removably attachable to the carrier, the fluid dispensing portion having a first section including a plurality of first section apertures and a second section including a plurality of second section apertures, wherein the first section apertures apply the fluid to the first portion of the fluid applicator, wherein the second section apertures apply the fluid to the second portion of the fluid applicator, wherein the first section apertures are spaced a first distance apart, wherein the second section apertures are spaced a second distance apart, and wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.

In one configuration, the fluid dispensing portion is disposed outside of the fluid applicator. In another configuration, the fluid dispensing portion is spaced a length away from the fluid applicator. In yet another configuration, the first section is adjacent to the first portion of the fluid applicator and the second section is adjacent to the second portion of the fluid applicator. In one configuration, the system further comprises a mixing portion removably attachable to the carrier, wherein the mixing portion receives a first part of the fluid and a second part of the fluid and mixes the first part and the second part theretogether. In another configuration, the fluid dispensing portion applies the fluid having the first part and the second part mixed theretogether to the fluid applicator. In yet another configuration, the carrier comprises a frame portion and a handle portion. In one configuration, the first portion includes a first section and a second section and the second portion is between the first section and the second section. In another configuration, the substrate has a first substrate contoured surface and a second substrate contoured surface different than the first substrate contoured surface, the first portion of the fluid applicator is adapted to cover the first substrate contoured surface and the second portion of the fluid applicator is adapted to cover the second substrate contoured surface. In yet another configuration, the system further comprises a nap material removably attachable to the body of the fluid applicator, the nap material adapted to receive the fluid from the fluid dispensing portion and apply the fluid to the substrate. In one configuration, the nap material is transitionable between an undeformed position and a deformed position in which the nap material is adapted to variably cover the substrate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid application system for applying a fluid to a substrate includes a carrier; a fluid applicator for applying the fluid to the substrate, the fluid applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the fluid applicator comprising a body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first contoured surface and the second portion having a second contoured surface different than the first contoured surface; and a fluid dispensing portion for applying the fluid to the fluid applicator, the fluid dispensing portion removably attachable to the carrier, the fluid dispensing portion having a first section including a plurality of first section apertures and a second section including a plurality of second section apertures, wherein the First section apertures apply the fluid to the first portion of the fluid applicator, wherein the second section apertures apply the fluid to the second portion of the fluid applicator, wherein the first section apertures have a first diameter, wherein the second section apertures have a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

In one configuration, the first section apertures are spaced a first distance apart, wherein the second section apertures are spaced a second distance apart, and wherein the first distance is less than the second distance. In another configuration, the first section apertures are spaced a first distance apart, wherein the second section apertures are spaced a second distance apart, and wherein the second distance is less than the first distance. In yet another configuration, the fluid dispensing portion is disposed outside of the fluid applicator. In one configuration, the fluid dispensing portion is spaced a length away from the fluid applicator. In another configuration, the first section is adjacent to the first portion of the fluid applicator and the second section is adjacent to the second portion of the fluid applicator. In yet another configuration, the system further comprises a mixing portion removably attachable to the carrier, wherein the mixing portion receives a first part of the fluid and a second part of the fluid and mixes the first part and the second part theretogether. In one configuration, the fluid dispensing portion applies the fluid having the first part and the second part mixed theretogether to the fluid applicator. In another configuration, the carrier comprises a frame portion and a handle portion. In yet another configuration, the first portion includes a first section and a second section and the second portion is between the first section and the second section. In one configuration, the system further comprises a nap material removably attachable to the body of the fluid applicator, the nap material adapted to receive the fluid from the fluid dispensing portion and apply the fluid to the substrate. In another configuration, the nap material is transitionable between an undeformed position and a deformed position in which the nap material is adapted to variably cover the substrate.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid application system for applying a fluid to a substrate includes a carrier; a fluid applicator for applying the fluid to the substrate, the fluid applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the fluid applicator comprising a body; and a fluid dispensing portion for applying the fluid to the fluid applicator, the fluid dispensing portion removably attachable to the carrier, the fluid dispensing portion having a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures apply the fluid to the fluid applicator; and a mixing portion removably attachable to the carrier, wherein the mixing portion receives a first part of the fluid and a second part of the fluid and mixes the first part and the second part theretogether.

In one configuration, the plurality of apertures are spaced an equal distance apart. In another configuration, the plurality of apertures apply the fluid having the first part and the second part mixed theretogether to the fluid applicator. In yet another configuration, the fluid dispensing portion is disposed outside of the fluid applicator. In one configuration, the fluid dispensing portion is spaced a length away from the fluid applicator. In another configuration, the carrier comprises a frame portion and a handle portion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid application system for applying a fluid to a substrate includes a carrier; a fluid applicator for applying the fluid to the substrate, the fluid applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the fluid applicator comprising a body; and a mixing portion removably attachable to the carrier and having a mixing tip, wherein the mixing portion receives a first part of the fluid and a second part of the fluid and mixes the first part and the second part theretogether to create a mixed fluid, wherein the mixing tip applies the mixed fluid to the fluid applicator

In one configuration, the mixing portion comprises a vee manifold. In another configuration, the mixing tip defines a single aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid application system for applying a fluid to a substrate includes a carrier; a fluid applicator for applying the fluid to the substrate, the fluid applicator removably attachable to the carrier, the fluid applicator comprising a body; a first mixing portion removably attachable to the carrier and having a first mixing tip, wherein the first mixing portion receives a first part of the fluid and a second part of the fluid and mixes the first part and the second part theretogether to create a first mixed fluid, wherein the first mixing tip applies the first mixed fluid to the fluid applicator; and a second mixing portion removably attachable to the carrier and having a second mixing tip, wherein the second mixing portion receives the first part of the fluid and the second part of the fluid and mixes the first part and the second part theretogether to create a second mixed fluid, wherein the second mixing tip applies the second mixed fluid to the fluid applicator.

In one configuration, the system further comprises a third mixing portion removably attachable to the carrier and having a third mixing tip, wherein the third mixing portion receives the first part of the fluid and the second part of the fluid and mixes the first part and the second part theretogether to create a third mixed fluid, wherein the third mixing tip applies the third mixed fluid to the fluid applicator. In another configuration, the first mixing portion, the second mixing portion, and the third mixing portion each comprise a vee manifold. In yet another configuration, the first mixing tip, the second mixing tip, and the third mixing tip each define a single aperture.

