Hand-operated pressurized brush-based liquid applicator

Abstract

An apparatus and method for applying liquid protectorant to a targeted surface, such as a automobile tire sidewall, comprising a container for holding the liquid protectorant, a hand-held applicator, and a conduit between the container and the applicator. And one embodiment, the container is pressurized and a manually controllable valve is operable to deliver the liquid protectorant from the container to the applicator. The applicator includes a nozzle for delivering liquid protectorant. The nozzle, however, is surrounded by portions of the applicator, for example brush bristles, to prevent liquid protectorant from traveling to other than the targeted area.

What is claimed:  
     
         1  A method of applying a liquid protectorant to targeted surface comprising: 
 containing a supply of liquid protectorant in a manner that is portable;  
 conveying the liquid from the contained supply in a contained manner to a hand-held application head;  
 placing the application head on or near the targeted surface;  
 applying the contained and conveyed liquid protectorant to the targeted surface by; 
 controlling the dispensing of liquid from the application head so that liquid is directed to the targeted surface and blocked from traveling to non-targeted surface or areas;  
 spreading the dispensed liquid with the application head while containing liquid to the targeted surface;  
 so that the storage, delivery and dispensing of the liquid protectorant is controlled and without exposure of the liquid to non-targeted surfaces or areas.  
 
 
     
     
         2  The method of  claim 1  wherein the supply of liquid can be at lease several tens of fluid ounces.  
     
     
         3  The method of  claim 1  wherein containing the supply of liquid from container to application head comprises sealing a delivery path therebetween.  
     
     
         4  The method of  claim 1  wherein the targeted surface is selected from the set comprising vinyl and rubber.  
     
     
         5  The method of  claim 4  wherein the targeted surface is a portion of an automobile.  
     
     
         6  The method of  claim 5  wherein the automobile portion comprises a tire portion.  
     
     
         7  The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid protectorant comprises a silicone-containing composition.  
     
     
         8  The method of  claim 1  wherein the portable supply of liquid protectorant is hand portable.  
     
     
         9  The method of  claim 1  wherein the application head comprises a brush head with brush bristles  
     
     
         10  The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of conveying comprises utilizing air pressure to move the liquid protectorant.  
     
     
         11  The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of dispensing of the liquid comprises misting the liquid.  
     
     
         12  The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of controlling dispensing comprises operating a valve.  
     
     
         13  The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the blocking step comprises surrounding the location of dispensing of liquid.  
     
     
         14  A method of application of a liquid protectorant comprising: 
 spraying misted liquid protectorant onto an area through a brush as the brush is at or near the area of application;  
 brushing the liquid over the area of application;  
 delivering the liquid to the brush via a sealed conduit from a hand portable liquid containing unit.  
 
     
     
         15  The method of  claim 14  wherein the liquid protectorant is a silicone-containing composition.  
     
     
         16  The method of  claim 14  wherein the misted liquid is atomized.  
     
     
         17  The method of  claim 16  wherein atomization is accomplished by the liquid through an increasingly smaller space and aerating the liquid.  
     
     
         18  The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of brushing comprises utilizing a brush with flag brush bristles.  
     
     
         19  The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of delivery of the liquid is by air pressure.  
     
     
         20  An apparatus for applying liquid protectorant to a targeted area comprising: 
 a hand-held applicator having a handle grippable by hand;  
 an application head attached to the handle and having a base, a nozzle mounted in and extending from the base, and a surface contacting material extending from the base and substantially surrounding the nozzle;  
 a container having a cavity which holds liquid protectorant;  
 a conduit between the container and the nozzle;  
 a controller element in the conduit to open and close the conduit.  
 
     
     
         21  The method of  claim 20  wherein the surface contacting material is brush bristles.  
     
     
         22  The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the brush bristles extend farther from the application head than the nozzle.  
     
     
         23  The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the nozzle includes a small aperture which mists liquid protectorant delivered by air pressure therethrough.  
     
     
         24  The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the container is a pressurizable canister.  
     
     
         25  The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the pressurizable canister has a valve through which pressurized air can be passed and retained into the interior of the canister.  
     
     
         26  The pressurized canister of  claim 24  further comprising a valve which can be opened to release in a controlled manner air pressure from an canister.  
     
     
         27  The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the conduit comprises a hose.  
     
     
         28  The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the controller comprises a valve that can be manually operated and has an element which moves over a range from completely closing the conduit to completely opening the conduit.