SPRAY BOOTH FOR PORTABLE BLASTER OR ETCHER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/734,078 filed Dec. 14, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Etching and engraving onto objects such as glass or other surfaces is a very popular hobby. Using pressurized hand tools propelling aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, or other particulates, a hobbyist or professional engraver can etch patterns, designs, and text onto hard surfaces. However, there are several difficulties and inconveniences for the user in this process.

The engraving or etching process can create a significant amount of dust and debris. The propelling of a particle stream by compressed air towards a hard surface creates dust from the engraving and propelling process, which is difficult to contain and therefore difficult to clean up after. Even if the engraver is outdoors, the dust in the air also presents safety hazards for them. Most amateur hobbyists in the field also lack a reasonable containment unit in which to conduct the engraving.

The present application seeks to address these shortcomings in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present application relates to a portable spray booth, which can be used in combination with an etching or blasting device, such as a sand blaster. The spray booth enables easy assembly, use, and portability for hobbyists and others who may use a spray blaster or other device to create etchings on items or use a hand-operated blaster for cleaning or other uses. The spray booth is lightweight, and includes a container or box that may have an opening and corresponding lid to insert the object into the container, and sealed armholes into which the user can insert their hands and arms to control a workpiece and blaster that are located inside of the booth's container sealed by the cover. This enables the user to work on etchings while preventing dust or debris from the blaster or workpiece spreading into the air or environment.

The spray booth captures and contains dust particles from the spray of fine abrasive media, provides the user mouth and eye protection, is easy to clean and assemble, and can be easily moved and stored.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present application, a portable spray booth apparatus is provided, comprising: a container comprising a plurality of walls; an opening into the container; a lid configured to cover the opening; a window into the container; and at least one arm hole for receiving an arm of a user to enable the user to operate a hand tool inside of the container.

In embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the application, the opening into the container may be formed by the absence of a wall on a top portion of the container. The lid covers the opening and may comprise a wall extending downward around the perimeter of the lid, the wall configured to surround the perimeter of the opening to seal the container. The lid may also comprise a hole therethrough covered by the window. The window can be secured to the lid by an adhesive configured to create a seal around the window. In additional or alternative embodiments of the apparatus, the height of a container rear wall is greater than the height of a container front wall, and the top portion of the container is slanted.

In various embodiments of the apparatus, the container and the lid are each made from cardboard.

In embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the present application, the apparatus comprises at least two arm holes for receiving each arm of the user; wherein each arm hole comprises a sleeve and a sealing element configured to create a seal around the sleeve and arm hole to prevent debris from inside the container from leaving the container through one of the at least two arm holes. The apparatus may additionally or alternatively comprise at least one cable port configured to allow a hand tool cable to pass through; and at least one sealing ring configured to seal the at least one cable port after a hand tool cable is inserted. The apparatus may further additionally or alternatively comprise a hose port configured to receive a vacuum hose therethrough to enable removal of dust or debris inside the container by the vacuum.

According to various embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the present application, the apparatus may further comprise a light source inside the container, such as an LED light strip. The apparatus may further comprise a light source power hole through a wall of the container to allow a power cable for the light source to pass through.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present application, a portable spray booth kit is provided, the kit comprising: a flattened container cutout configured to be folded into the form of a container, the cutout comprising at least one arm hole for receiving an arm of a user and designed to provide an opening into the formed container; a flattened lid cutout configured to be folded into a lid configured to cover the opening into the container; and a transparent sheet configured to serve as a window into the container. The flattened lid cutout may comprise a central opening, over which the transparent sheet is configured to be adhered to form the window. The portable spray booth kit may further comprise at least one sleeve configured to be inserted into the at least one arm hole; and at least one sealing element configured to form a seal around the sleeve and the arm hole to prevent debris from inside the container from leaving the container. The flattened container cutout of the portable spray booth kit may comprise a plurality of openings therethrough to receive one or more of a vacuum hose, a hand tool cable, or a power cable.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present application, a system is provided, comprising: a portable spray booth comprising a container comprising a plurality of walls; an opening into the container; a lid configured to cover the opening; a window into the container; and at least one arm hole; and a handheld engraving tool. The at least one arm hole is configured to receive an arm of a user to enable the user to operate the handheld engraving tool inside of the container viewable through the window. In embodiments of the system, the portable spray booth comprises at least two arm holes for receiving each arm of the user and each arm hole comprises a sleeve and a sealing element configured to create a seal around the sleeve and arm hole to prevent debris from inside the container from leaving the container through one of the at least two arm holes. The portable spray booth may further comprise one or more of at least one cable port configured to allow a cable of the handheld engraving tool to pass through; at least one sealing ring configured to seal the at least one cable port after the cable of the handheld engraving tool is inserted; a hose port configured to receive a vacuum hose therethrough to enable removal of dust or debris inside the container by the vacuum; and a light source power hole through a wall of the container to allow a power cable for a light source inside the container to pass through.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a first view of a spray booth of the present application;

FIG. 2 shows a second view of a spray booth of the present application;

FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded view of the spray booth of the present application;

FIG. 4 shows the spray booth in combination with a sandblaster connected to an external pressurized air source;

FIGS. 5A-5L show a process for assembling the spray booth;

FIG. 6 shows the container portion of the spray booth in a flattened state before assembly; and

FIG. 7 shows the lid portion of the spray booth in a flattened state before assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The subject matter of the present application will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-7.

FIGS. 1-7 show an example of a spray booth 10 according to the present application. While the spray booth 10 may have additional applications, an application described herein is use with hand-held ejector tools of various kinds, which are designed to eject an abrasive material for etching or cleaning an article, such as metal, glass or other materials. Examples of such hand-held ejector tools, their components, or their applications, are described in applicant's earlier U.S. Pat. No. 10,239,185 issued Mar. 26, 2019 (U.S. application Ser. No. 15/684,020 filed Aug. 23, 2017) and U.S. Pat. No. 12,434,350 issued Oct. 7, 2025 (U.S. application Ser. No. 17/689,390 filed Mar. 8, 2022), which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

The spray booth 10 includes a container 11 into which an object to be worked on can be inserted. The container 11 includes an opening at the top and a lid 12 to cover the opening. In other embodiments of the spray booth 10, the opening into the container 11 may be located on a surface other than the top of the container 11 and can be a partial opening that does not occupy the entire surface of the container 11. The lid 12 is provided with a window 13, which allows the user to view into the container 11 and see the workpiece. In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the lid 12 extends over the walls of the container 11 around their respective perimeters, which further prevents dust and debris inside the container 11 from escaping. The window 13 is secured to the lid 12 by tape 14 or another adhesive like a glue and seals the opening of the lid 12 to prevent dust or debris from escaping through the top of the lid 12. The container 11 may also be slanted at the top, having a greater height in the rear that tapers towards the front, so that the lid 12 and window 13 are provided at an angle to make it easier for the user to see inside the booth 10. This is shown for example in FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of the spray booth 10 shown in the Figures, the container 11 and lid 12 are substantially made from cardboard or heavy paper material. This material contributes to the spray booth 10 being lightweight and portable, easy to work with and handle, and easily foldable for storage. However, in other embodiments, other non-cardboard materials can be used for the container 11 and/or lid 12. The window 13 may be an acrylic panel in one embodiment of the spray booth 10. But in other embodiments, the window 13 can be made of alternative materials that are transparent.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the container 11 and lid 12 of the spray booth 10 in a flattened state before assembly, including exemplary dimensions D1 (71 and 3/16 inches), D2 (41 and ⅛ inches), D3 (20 and ¼ inches), D4 (40 and ½ inches), and D5 (31 and 9/16 inches). It is noted that these dimensions are exemplary for one embodiment of the spray booth 10 and may vary in other embodiments.

The spray booth 10 comprises various holes or ports in the walls of the container portion 11, serving various functions. So the user may work with the spray tool within the booth 10, a pair of arm holes are provided in a front wall of the container 10 (“front” and other directional terms being relative to a user of the standing before the booth 10). Each arm hole includes an arm hole seal 15, which can be a plastic ring that fits over the cutout in the container wall. Each arm hole also includes a sleeve 16, which is sealed around the arm hole seal 15 and includes an opening into the sleeve 16 into which the user can insert their hand from outside the booth 10. The sleeve 16 can be disposable and replaced as needed. A pair of gloves 17 may also be provided for the user.

The spray booth 10 also comprises one or more cable ports 18 in walls of the container 11. The cable ports 18 may each comprise a plastic ring, which may have a movable element or clamp to seal the port after the cable is inserted, as shown for example in FIG. 4. The cable inserted through the port 18 is the cable affixed to a hand tool for the spray blaster (not shown), which as shown in FIG. 4 is connected to a source of abrasive and a source of pressurized air. If multiple cable ports are provided on the spray booth 10, caps may be provided to cover unused ports during use of the spray blaster so that dust does not leave through an opened port 18. The booth 10 also comprises a port 20 in the container 11 for a vacuum hose to extract dust and debris from the container 11. In the embodiment shown, this is placed in the base of the rear wall of the container 11.

An LED light strip 19, or other light source, may also be provided inside of the container 11, which is secured to a rear wall of the container 11 by tape or another adhesive. A hole 21 is provided in a wall of the container 11 for a power cord of the light strip to pass through, which can be plugged into a wall outlet or power adapter device or computer.

FIGS. 5A-5L show an example of a process for assembling the spray booth, which is described below. It is noted that this is one example process for assembly, and alternative processes can be followed for assembling the spray booth. Shown in FIG. 5A, upon first receiving the unassembled spray booth 10 and components, the user can remove all contents on a clean, dry surface and check for all of the component parts.

FIGS. 5B through 5F illustrate the folding of the container 11 of the spray booth 10, which is made from a durable cardboard material, as typically used for cardboard boxes, for example. Shown in FIG. 5B, with the booth cutout still folded, a user can pull out each of the side panels from underneath and lay flat; fold down both the front panel (arm holes) and back so the entire booth is now lying flat with the front panel towards the user with a label side face down. In FIG. 5C, along the perforations, a user folds up the front and back panels and holds these in place. In FIG. 5D, starting on the left side, a user lifts the left side and folds over along the perforations, and once folded over, tucks the tabs into the two notches inside the bottom left side of booth until they are firmly in place. In FIG. 5E, the steps of FIG. 5D are shown repeated on the right-side folding perforations and tucking the tabs into the notches until firmly in place. In FIG. 5F, the user checks to make sure all notches are tucked into their holes as noted.

In FIG. 5G, the user assembles the lid 12. The lid cutout is in front of the user with the logo (or what will be the top of the lid) facing down and away from the user. The long sides are folded along the perforations towards the center pushing tabs in front of the short sides, and the short sides are folded along perforations towards the center and tuck notches into slots to complete assembly of the lid.

FIG. 5H shows the attachment of the window 13 to the lid 12, which has a pre-formed opening therethrough to be covered by the window 13. The window 13 may be provided with a protective material on each side for storage, which can be peeled off of both sides. In FIG. 5I, the user can cut four strips of double-sided tape (two strips for the window's short sides and two strips for the window's long sides). One side of each strip is peeled and attached along the edge of one side of the window panel. Once all four strips are attached, each strip of tape is peeled from the window panel, the panel is turned over, and the tape is stuck to the lid covering the opening. The lid is now completely assembled.

In FIG. 5J, the armhole covers are opened and the arm holes seals 15 and sleeves 16 are inserted and pushed firmly until fixed in place. In FIG. 5K, the cable ports 18 are inserted into corresponding holes on short side walls of the container 11.

To attach the LED light strip 19 along the back wall, shown in FIG. 5L, in one placement, a user can measure two inches down from the top of the container 11, and centering the light strip 19 left to right. Tape is provided on the backside of the light strip 19, and one side of tape peeled, squared and attached to the booth. Once the LED light strip 19, the power cord for the light is in place, the cord can be pushed out through the perforated hole 21 on the upper left side and plugged into an outlet or laptop.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice.