Multi-spray can applicator

Abstract

An apparatus to hold two or more spray cans and spray controllably with both cans is disclosed. The cans may hold the same or different colors of paint or other coating materials, and may be reproducibly aimed within the apparatus in such a way as to achieve different effects when sprayed as a set. Mechanisms to individually adjust the spray rate of the two or more spray cans are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for holding and spraying at least two spray cans, comprising at least a partial enclosure holding the spray cans approximately parallel to each other and with their tops approximately aligned with each other, the upper ends of the spray cans being aimed in approximately the same direction, and a mechanism to press on the spray buttons on the tops of the spray cans approximately simultaneously, thereby causing the spray cans to spray out their contents. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a handle to hold the partial enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adjustable section on the mechanism so that when the mechanism is pressed against the spray buttons, at least one spray button is pressed down a different amount than at least one other spray button. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a trigger type system which uses mechanical linkages to cause the mechanism to press on the spray buttons when the trigger is pressed. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as described in  claim 4 , further comprising a latch type system to keep the mechanism pressing on the spray buttons even after the trigger is released. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as described in  claim 5 , further comprising a release which releases the latch type system when the release is pressed. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising markings on the apparatus to allow reproducible aim of the spray direction of the two spray cans by rotationally adjusting the spray cans when the spray cans are placed in the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising springs on the sides of the partial enclosure to hold the spray cans in place. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising provision to adjust one can vertically in the enclosure relative to another can so that that when the mechanism is pressed against the spray buttons, at least one spray button is pressed down a different amount than at least one other spray button. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising holding the two spray cans beside each other, the upper ends of the spray cans being adjacent to each other. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a system to separate two cans horizontally in the enclosure from each other so that a wider spray pattern can be achieved. 
     
     
         12 . A method for holding and spraying at least two spray cans in a simultaneous and controlled way, comprising placing two spray cans vertically beside each other in at least a partial enclosure with their upper ends adjacent to each other, rotating the spray cans so that their spray direction is in a desired alignment, and employing a mechanical mechanism thereby approximately simultaneously pressing on the spray buttons on the tops of the spray cans, thereby causing the spray cans to spray out their contents. 
     
     
         13 . A method as described in  claim 12 , further comprising holding the apparatus by a handle and pressing a trigger linked to the mechanical mechanism, thereby causing the spray cans to spray out their contents. 
     
     
         14 . A method as described in  claim 13 , further comprising latching down the trigger when spraying is occurring, and releasing the trigger latch when it is desirable to stop spraying. 
     
     
         15 . A method as described in  claim 12 , further comprising before employing the mechanical mechanism adjusting the mechanical mechanism distances to the spray buttons independently so that pressing the mechanical mechanism approximately simultaneously down on the buttons causes spraying from the spray cans at different flow rates. 
     
     
         16 . A method as described in  claim 12 , further comprising rotationally adjusting the spray cans when placing them in the enclosure in accordance with markings on the enclosure or mechanism, thereby reproducibly aiming the spray direction of the two spray cans.