Spray application system components comprising a repellent surface and methods

Abstract

Presently described are components of a spray application system. At least one component comprises a liquid repellent surface layer. The liquid repellent surface (e.g. layer) may comprise a porous layer and a lubricant impregnated into pores of the porous layer; a fluoropolymer; a fluorochemical material and an organic polymeric binder; or a fluorochemical material melt additive and a thermoplastic polymeric material component. The component is typically a liquid reservoir, a liquid reservoir liner, a lid for a liquid reservoir or liner, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the component comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material. In some favored embodiments, the component is a removable liquid reservoir or liner. In some favored embodiments, the component is a collapsible liquid reservoir or liner. The spray application system typically further comprises a gravity-fed spray gun. Also described are spray application systems, methods of using a spray application system, as well as methods of making a component of a spray application system wherein the component has a liquid repellent surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A component wherein the component is a liquid reservoir or liquid reservoir liner comprising a liquid repellent surface such that the receding contact angle with water ranges from 90 degrees to 135 degrees and the receding contact angle with a solution containing 10% by weight of 2-n-butoxyethanol and 90% by weight deionized water is at least 40 degrees. 
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the liquid repellent surface comprises a surface layer of a fluorochemical material. 
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the liquid repellent surface layer further comprises a non-fluorinated organic polymeric binder. 
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 2  wherein the fluorochemical material is a compound has the formula:
   (R f -L-P) n A 
 R f  is a fluorinated group; 
 L is independently an organic divalent linking group; 
 P is a catenary, divalent heteroatom-containing carbonyl; 
 A is a hydrocarbon moiety comprising 4 to 40 carbon atoms; 
 and n typically ranges from 1 to 3. 
 
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 4  wherein L is —SO 2 N(CH 3 )(CH 2 ) n — wherein n ranges from 1-4. 
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 4  wherein R f  is CF 3 [CF 2 ] 3 — for at least 50 wt.-% of the fluorochemical material. 
     
     
         7 . The component of  claim 4  wherein the fluorochemical material has a fluorine content of at least 25 wt-%. 
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 3  wherein the non-fluorinated organic polymeric binder is selected from polystyrene, acrylic, polyester, polyurethane, polyolefin, and polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the liquid repellent surface comprises a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         10 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the fluoropolymer is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE). 
     
     
         11 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the fluoropolymer is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl dioxole or a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluroropropylene. 
     
     
         12 . The component of  claim 1  wherein at least the liquid repellent surface of the component comprises a thermally processible polymer and a fluorochemical material melt additive. 
     
     
         13 . The component of  claim 1  further comprising a lid for a liquid reservoir or liner. 
     
     
         14 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the liquid repellent surface layer, wherein the liquid repellent surface layer comprises a porous layer and a lubricant impregnated into pores of the porous layer. 
     
     
         15 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the liquid repellent surface layer repels water-based paint having a water-soluble volatile organic solvent of at least 10 g/liter. 
     
     
         16 . The component of  claim 15  wherein the organic solvent comprises one or more alcohol. 
     
     
         17 . The component of  claim 15  wherein the organic solvent comprises an alkylene glycol alkyl ether. 
     
     
         18 . The component of  claim 15  wherein the organic solvent comprises 2-butoxyethanol, butoxypropan-2-ol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The component of  claim 15  wherein the liquid repellent surface is liquid repellent such that the mass of retained paint is no greater than 0.01 g/cm 2 . 
     
     
         20 . The component of  claim 15  wherein the liquid repellent surface is liquid repellent such that a drop of paint slides off the liquid repellent surface when orientated vertically.