Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
73545-2 SDB:nmb
This invention is directed to a tool for dispensing and
applying viscous materials, such as tar, adhesives, caulking and
the like to seams, panels or joints.
The present invention can be advantageously used in numerous
ways, for example to dispense and spread adhesives onto tile,
panelling, flooring, cove-base tiles and carpet seams. The
present invention can also be used as a roofing tool for applying
tar to roof flashings, vents and shingles.
In these kinds of operations, it is desirable that the
viscous material be dispensed in a controlled manner and spread
evenly across the surface. Otherwise, a tedious cleaning job is
often required where too much, or an uneven amount of viscous
material is deposited.
Known applicator tools are either blade-type or have nozzles
through which the viscous material is extruded. With blade-type
applicators, it is difficult to ensure an even dispensing and
spreading of the viscous materiall although such applicators may
be cleaned for re-use. On the other hand, nozzle type applicators
may permit a more even dispensing and spreading of material,
however, they are difficult to clean. Residue of the viscous
material, such as tar or adhesive, sets inside the nozzle, and
unless it is removed, the ability of the applicator to evenly
dispense material during subsequent use is greatly diminished.
3~
73545-2 SDB:hmb
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by
providing a tool which can evenly dispense viscous material to a
surface and which is also relatively easy to clean, thereby
enabling it to be re-usedO
In one aspect, the invention provides a tool for dispensing
and applying a viscous material to a surface, said tool having a
substantially wedge shaped body comprised of two shell portions
fastened together, said body having an input at one end thereof,
and a nozzle at the other end thereof through which viscous
material may be extruded, wherein said tool can be disassembled
for cleaning by separating said shell portions, and reassembled
for re-use.
In another aspect, the invention provides a tool for
dispensing and applying viscous material to a surface, comprising:
a substantially wedge shaped body having an input, a neck portion
from which flares a pair of side walls, said side walls tapering
to a nozzle, wherein said body is comprised of two shell portions
detachably fastened together; and a collar which may be connected
to a source of viscous material, and which is receivable on said
neck portion of said body.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a tool for
dispensing and applying viscous material which may be disassembled
for cleaning and reassembled for re-use, comprising:
,
73545-2 SDB:hmb
two hingedly connected shell portions which may be closed, in
clamshell-like manner, to define a substantially wedge-shaped body
having an input,
a neck portion which flares to define a pair of side walls;
detachable fastening means for securing said shell portions
together when said shell portions are closed t and
a collar which is received at one end thereof by said neck
portion, and which may be secured at the other end thereof to a
source of viscous material.
. .
The invention will be more particularly described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure ~ is a side view of the body of the present invention,
with the collar shown in cross-section.
Figure 3 is a side view of a cross-section of the main body
of the invention.
- . :
73545-2 SDB:hmb
Figure 4 is an inside view of the body of one embodiment of
the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a collar, which is a
component of the tool in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of showing the present
invention assembled for use with a caulking gun.
The tool of the present invention consists of a substantially
wedge shaped body 10, having a neck portion 11 with an input lla.
Neck portion 11 flares to form side walls 12 which further extend
downwardly to form end walls 13 which are substantially parallel
with the walls of neck portion 11. In side view, the sides of
tool body 10, extend to bevelled areas 14, which taper to form
nozzle 15. Viscous material is extruded through one or more
apertures 16 in nozzle 15.
A collar 17 may be fitted onto neck 11 and onto the
dispensing end of a cartridge, caulking gun or other source of
viscous material, as shown in Figure 6. Collar 17 preferably has
a locking means which acts to prevent accidental dislodgement of
collar 17 from neck 11. A preferred locking means is a groove 18
on collar 17 which receives a projection 19 on body 10. By a
slight twisting action, projection 19 can be made to engage groove
18 and abut a portion thereof as at 20, so that collar 17 can be
~2~
73545-2 SDB:hmb
only removed by a twisting and lifting movement, thus minimizing
the chance that collar 17 will be dislodged accidentally.
The interior of collar 17 preferably has a rim 21 which may
tend to reduce any back flow of viscous material through the
channel defined by neck portion 11 and collar 17.
Body 10 is comprised of two shell portions 23 and 24. Shell
portions 23 and 24 are secured together along their respective
edges or borders to form body 10. Shell portions 23 and 24 should
be tightly sealed together at their boundary 25 so that there are
no gaps through which viscous material can seep or leak when the
tool is in use. It is important that shell portions 23 and 24 be
securely fastened together because the walls of the body 10 may be
subjected to considerable pressure when the tool is in use.
It has been found that the tool of the present invention is
preferably made from plastic, and most preferably polypropylene,
the properties of which promote smooth flow of viscous material,
and which can also be easily cleaned.
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in figure 4, shell
portions 23 and 24 are joined by one or more thin plastic
membranes 39 which act as a hinge. In this embodiment, portions
23 and 24 may be closed, in clam-shell like manner, to form tool
body 10. The advantage of this construction is that it enables
73545-2 SD~:hmb
tool body lO to be constructed as a unitary piece, with resultant
economy of manufacture. However, it is to be understood that the
scope of the present invention also extends to a tool of the type
described which is comprised of two shell portions 23 and 24 which
are so not joined.
In a preferred embodiment, shell portion 23 features one or
more tubular posts 26, and preferably 2 pairs of tubular posts,
26a and 26b. Posts 26a are oriented opposite each other relative
to the line of symmetry of shell portion 23, as are posts 26b.
Shell portion 2g features posts 27a and 27b, whose locations on
shell portion 24 mirror the locations of posts 26a and 26b on
shell portion 23. Posts 27a and 27b have upstanding rods 28a and
28b and posts 26a, 26b have channels 29a and 29b. Shell portions
23 and 2g are joined to form body 10, by orienting posts 26a with
posts 27a, and posts 26b with posts 27b so that rods 28a, 28b are
received in channels 29a and 29b in order to form pillars 30a and
30b.
Pillars 30a, 30b retain shell portions 23 and 24 together.
Preferably four pillars will be provided; a pair near neck portion
11 where walls 12 begin to flare and a second pair near noz~le 15.
Due to the tapering of body 10, pillars 30b will be shorter than
pillars 30a. Fastening means to ensure a tight seal which may be
employed, as shown by the drawings, include screws 35 received
through channels 29 and/or a groove 31 extending along the side of
, . ~
2 ~
73545-2 SDB:hm~
portion 23 and a reciprocal tongue 32 which extends along tne
sides of portion 24, so that when shell portions 23 and 24 are
joined together, tongue 32 snaps into groove 31. An additional
inner wall or bank 40 may be featured to provide additional
reinforcement to side walls 12 and protect against seepage of
viscous material.
Additional fastening means, such as one or more brackets 33
located along the sides of either shell portion 23 or 24, and
companion hooklike members 34 mounted along the side of the other
of shell portions 23, 24 are also preferably used. When hooklike
members 34 engage brackets 33, secure engagement of shell portions
23 and 24 is further ensured.
Collar 17, when fitted onto neck 11, also serves as an
additional means of promoting tight engagement of shell portions
23 and 24 and a tight seal along the boundaries thereof.
When in use, viscous material from a cartridge or other
source of supply, flows into input 12 and through the channel as
defined by collar 17 and neck portion 11. The wedge shape of body
10 and the orientation of the walls thereof ensure an even flow of
viscous material through body 10. Viscous material flows through
neck portion 11, along the walls 12 and downwardly into a
reservoir defined by bevelled areas 14, one of which has a lip
portion 36 in nozzle 15. The viscous material is extruded evenly
,
'
2'~
73545-2 SDe:hmb
over lip portion 36 and through one or more apertures 16 in nozzle
15. Depending on the job being done, it may be preferred to have
one wide strip of viscous material extruded, wherein nozzle 15 Aas
a single oblong slot. Alternatively, where it is desired to
extrude several narrow strips or beads of material, a plurality of
apertures may be provided, as shown by Figure 4.
A tool featuring a nozzle with 11 apertures is most versatile
and common since it can be used for many purposes.
The wedge shape of the present invention allows strips or
beads of viscous material having varying thicknesses to be applied
to a surface and also permits viscous material to be applied flush
with the surface, which is advantageous where such material is
being applied to e.gO corners. The thickness of the bead being
applied to the surface will vary depending upon: the angle at
which the nozzle meets the surface, the pressure applied, and the
speed at which the nozzle is moved along the surface. By varying
these three variables: speed, angle and pressure, the operator can
control the thickness of bead of viscous material which is
deposited on the surface. Accordingly, the viscous material which
is deposited can vary from a 1/4 inch thick bead to a very thin
strip of material. This is advantageous because different
thicknesses of material are required for different applications
and this permits the tool of the present invention to be used for
many applications, e.g. cove base, carpet seams and edges, foam
3 ~
73545-2 SDs:hmb
insulation board, parquet flooring, panelling, tub kits, ceramic
tile, quarry tile, mirror tile, wood mouldings, wainscoting,
flooring and many more.
If desired, a piece of duct tape may be placed over some of
the apertures in the nozzle, and thereby allow the operator to
control the number of beads of viscous material being extruded
where viscous material is being applied to joists or studs. The
duct tape may also seal the tool for future use while still
mounted on the cartridge or caul~ing gun.
After use, the tool of the present invention can be cleaned
for re-use, by removing collar 17 and separating shell portions 23
and 24 from each other. This enables the inside of the tool to be
cleaned and residue removed, whereupon the tool can be reassembled
for subsequent use.
,
