Corner box

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6427877
  • Patent Number
    6,427,877
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, December 20, 2000
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 6, 2002
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Doerrler; William C.
    • Willatt; Stephanie L.
    Agents
    • Barley, Snyder, Senft & Cohen, LLC
Abstract
The invention is directed to a box for dispensing taping compound to a surface which facilitates the uniform distribution of the taping compound to an applicator head while preventing leakage of the compound. A nozzle extends from a fixed end wall in a direction away from a movable end wall and a compound receiving cavity. A first end of the nozzle is positioned proximate to and cooperates with the cavity. An interior wall of the nozzle has a smooth configuration and a smooth, arcuate transition with the end wall. The top wall and a portion of the nozzle are configured to cooperate with each other so that no shoulder is provided therebetween. The box also has an arcuate recess provided on a bottom wall and a cylindrical portion provided on the movable wall. The arcuate recess and the cylindrical portion are configured to have essentially the same diameter.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The invention is directed to a tool for dispensing taping compound or the like. In particular, a corner box is disclosed which allows for the smooth and easy flow of the taping compound through an applicator head.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Tools for applying taping compounds to walls are well known in the industry. Various of these tools are designed for particular applications. One such tool is referred to as a corner box with an applicator head attached thereto. The corner box, of the type shown in the Premier Drywall Tool Co. catalog entitled The New Generation of Drywall Taping Tools, is configured to provide a reservoir for the taping compound. The corner box is made from metal components which have a dispensing mechanism and a nozzle on which the applicator head is positioned. The corner boxes are used to deliver taping compound into corners of a room or space which are typically difficult to access with other tools.




While these prior-art corner boxes have been beneficial, several problems exist. The flow of the taping compound from the corner box to the applicator head has proven difficult to apply uniformly. The configuration of the nozzle can cause resistance to the flow which thereby result in an uneven flow of the taping compound to the applicator head.




Another problem with the prior-art corner boxes relates to the leaking of the taping compound from areas other than the nozzle. As the dispensing mechanism is pivoted about an axis, the taping compound attempts to flow through the joint created at the axis of pivot. This problem has heretofore been addressed by adding a gasket or other member proximate the axis of rotation which prevents the flow of the taping compound through the joint.




It would be advantageous to provide a corner box which eliminates the above-recited problems. In other words, it would be beneficial to devise a corner box in which the taping compound was dispensed only through the nozzle and at a uniform, continuous flow.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The invention is directed to a box for dispensing taping compound to a surface which eliminates the problems described above. The box has a compound receiving cavity which has side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, fixed end wall and a movable end wall. The movable end wall is movable between a first position and a second position. A nozzle extends from the fixed end wall in a direction away from the movable end wall and the compound receiving cavity. A first end of the nozzle is positioned proximate to and cooperates with the cavity. An interior wall of the nozzle has a smooth configuration and a smooth, arcuate transition with the end wall. The top wall and a portion of the nozzle are configured to cooperate with each other so that no shoulder is provided therebetween. As the movable wall is moved from the first position to the second position, the taping compound provided in the cavity will flow easily and evenly out of the cavity through the nozzle with minimal disturbance in the flow of the taping compound.




Another aspect of the invention is also directed to a box in which an arcuate recess is provided on the bottom wall and a cylindrical portion is provided on the movable wall. The arcuate recess and the cylindrical portion are configured to have essentially the same diameter and circumference and are maintained in close relationship as the movable wall in moved between the first and second positions. As the movable wall is moved between the first position and the second position, the arcuate recess and cylindrical portion cooperate to prevent the flow of taping compound from the cavity therebetween.




The box of the invention can have the side walls, the bottom wall, the top wall and the fixed end wall are integrally molded in a single molding operation. The nozzle can also be integrally molded to the fixed end wall.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of an embodiment of a corner box according to the invention disclosed herein.





FIG. 2

is a cross-sectional view showing a cavity in which compound is maintained and a movable wall in an open or first position.





FIG. 3

is a cross-sectional view similar to

FIG. 2

, showing the movable wall in a second or closed position.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view showing the flow of compound through the nozzle of the present invention.





FIG. 5

is a perspective view showing the flow of compound through a prior art nozzle.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring to

FIG. 1 through 3

, an embodiment of the present invention illustrates a corner box or taping compound dispensing box which has side walls


10


, an end wall


12


, a movable wall


14


, an arcuate top wall


16


, and a bottom wall


18


. The walls form a cavity


20


(

FIG. 3

) which is configured to receive compound therein. The compound can be made of various substances and for different uses. In the embodiment disclosed, the compound is a taping or joint compound. The side walls


10


, end wall


12


, top wall


16


, and bottom wall


18


are integrally molded in a single molding operation, which allows the corners or transitions between the various wall to be more arcuate and less severe. This enhances the flow of the taping compound in the cavity and allows for easier clean up of the corner box after the job is complete.




The movable wall


14


is pivotally mounted to the side walls


10


by use of screws


22


. The operation of the movable wall


14


will be more fully described below.




The movable wall


14


is molded from the same material as the other walls. As best shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, wall


14


has a first major surface


24


and an oppositely facing second major surface


26


. A top edge


28


, bottom edge


30


, and side edges


32


extend between the major surfaces. A cylindrical portion


34


is provided proximate bottom edge


30


. Screw receiving openings


36


are provided at each end of cylindrical portion


34


. A handle receiving portion


38


extends from the first major surface


24


in a direction generally away from the second major surface


26


. The handle receiving portion


38


has an opening


40


receiving a handle or a pole therein. A locking screw


42


is provided on the handle receiving portion


38


. The locking screw


42


cooperates with the handle to maintain the handle in the opening. Rubber sealing members


44


are provided on the top edge


28


and side edges


32


. The sealing members can be molded into movable wall


14


or can be removably attached in any number of known ways.




A securing portion


46


of top wall


16


extends upward therefrom, as viewed in

FIGS. 1 through 3

. The securing portion


46


has an opening


48


extending therethrough for receipt of a screw


50


therein. The screw


50


cooperates a securing latch


52


to the portion


46


, such that the securing latch


52


can rotate about screw


50


. While securing latch


52


is designed to rotate, the rotation will not occur unless a significant force is applied thereto. This prevents unwanted movement of the securing latch


52


.




The bottom wall


18


has an arcuate recess


54


provided thereon. The arcuate recess


54


extends from one side wall to the other. The recess


54


is dimensioned to cooperate with cylindrical portion


34


of movable wall


14


. The positioning of recess


54


is in general alignment with screw receiving openings of side walls


10


.




End wall


12


has a taping compound receiving port


56


which extends therethrough. The port


56


is of known configuration and allows taping compound to flow inside to cavity


20


when the corner box is used. The port


56


also prevents the unwanted flow of taping compound outward from the cavity


20


.




A dispensing nozzle


58


is provided on end wall


12


and extends in a direction away from cavity


20


. The nozzle has a conical-type configuration, with the largest diameter being located on the end wall


12


. The interior and exterior wall of the nozzle


58


are generally smooth and have smooth transitions to the end wall


12


. No sharp edges or ledges are provided in the nozzle


58


. In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the nozzle


58


does not have a perfect conical configuration. When viewed in

FIG. 4

, the top of the cone proximate the end wall


12


is flat rather than round. Consequently, the top wall


16


cooperates directly with the nozzle


58


, with no shoulder provided therebetween. No portion of the end wall


12


is provided therebetween. of side walls


10


into screw receiving openings


36


of cylindrical portion


34


. Openings


36


may have inserts provided therein to prevent damage to the side walls.




As movable wall


14


is initially moved between side walls


10


, the latch


52


is positioned such that no portion of the latch extends below the securing portion


46


of the top wall


16


, thereby allowing the movable wall to move into cavity


20


. However, once movable wall


14


is positioned between side walls


10


, the latch


52


is rotated such that an end of the latch extends downward beyond the securing portion


46


(as viewed in FIG.


2


). This position of the latch


52


prevents the movable wall


14


from moving out of engagement with the side walls


10


. If the movable wall must be rotated out of engagement with the side walls, the operator can rotate the latch to the initial position described, thereby allowing the movable wall


14


to be moved beyond the side walls


10


and out of cavity


20


.




With movable wall


14


maintained between side walls


10


, a filling apparatus (now shown) is moved into engagement with the taping compound receiving port


56


. The apparatus causes the port


56


to open, thereby allowing the taping compound to be pumped into the cavity


20


. As the flow of compound into the cavity occurs, the compound exerts force on the walls. As the walls


10


,


12


,


16


, and


18


are fixed, the pressure associated with the flow of the compound causes the movable wall


14


to be pushed backward toward latch


52


which is in its downward position. The flow of compound continues until the movable wall


14


engages latch


52


and a sufficient volume of compound is provided in the cavity


20


to prevent the further flow of compound therein. Once filled, the filling apparatus is removed from the port


56


.




The configuration of the corner box assembly prevents any unwanted compound to flow outside of the cavity. Although the dimensions of the movable wall


14


are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the cavity (at any respective cross-section), the compound is prevented from leaking due to the cooperation of sealing members


44


with the side walls


10


and movable wall


14


. As the sealing member operates in a well-known manner, a more detailed explanation will not be provided.




While the sealing member prevents leakage of the compound around the top edge


28


and side edges


32


, the bottom edge


30


with the cylindrical portion


34


has previously been prone to leakage. However, in the present invention, the cylindrical portion


34


and the arcuate recess


54


of the bottom wall cooperate to prevent leakage in this area. The cylindrical portion and arcuate recess are designed such that the portion


34


and recess


54


have essentially the same diameter and circumference. This insures that the portion


34


will be maintained in close relationship to the surface of the recess


54


even as the movable wall


14


is moved between the first and second positions. This greatly reduces the possibility of leakage. Also, the fact that no straight path is provided between the cavity


20


and the outside (the path is arcuate), the unwanted flow of compound is minimized.




With the corner box properly filled, the operator uses the corner box with the application head attached to perform the function for which it is designed, apply taping compound to corners and other similar areas during construction, repair remodeling, etc. In so doing, the operator will move the corner box, attached to a handle, into proper position. Once in position, a force is applied to the handle which causes taping compound to be dispensed through the applicator head. During this process, movable wall


14


is moved toward end wall


12


. This movement compresses the taping compound, forcing it to flow over the path of least resistance, i.e. through the applicator head and onto the wall. As it is important for the wall


14


to be in close proximity to the walls


10


,


16


, and


18


during movement, the top wall


16


is configured to essentially duplicate the movement of the top edge


28


of wall


14


as the wall is moved between the first, open position to the second, closed position.




As the movable wall


14


is moved toward end wall


12


, forces are applied to the taping compound. These forces are applied because the movement of the movable wall


14


toward end wall


12


reduces the area of the cavity in which the taping compound is housed. The reduction in the area results in the taping compound applying forces to each wall of the corner box, i.e. the taping compound resists compression. Once the movable wall


14


is moved a sufficient distance, the taping compound can effectively no longer compress, causing the taping compound to flow out through the nozzle


58


and the applicator head, as this is the path of least resistance.




In prior art units, the taping compound did not always flow as described. As the bottom walls of respective prior art corner boxes do not have a recess which conforms to the shape of the cylindrical portions, the taping compound may leak through the space or gap provided between the cylindrical portion and the bottom wall. As this space provides the path of least resistance in the prior art boxes, the problem of leakage through the space can cause a significant problem. In some of the prior art corner boxes, a special gasket is added and positioned between the cylindrical portion and the end wall to prevent the leakage. This is expensive and needlessly adds to the complexity of the corner boxes. The flow of the taping compound through the space increases the difficulty to operate the corner box effectively. As taping compound is captured in the space, the ease of movement of the movable wall


14


is impaired. This prohibits the operator from smoothly and evenly manipulating the movable wall, which can result in the uneven distribution of taping compound in the corner or wherever the compound is applied.




While the direction of the flow of the taping compound is controlled as described above, the ease of dispensing the taping compound is greatly facilitated by the shape of the nozzle


58


.




As previously stated, the nozzle


58


has a conical configuration which extends away from movable wall


14


. The inside surface of the conical nozzle is smooth, with no sharp corners or ledges provided thereon or proximate thereto. In fact, the transition between end wall


12


and nozzle


58


is configured to be somewhat arcuate or rounded in shape. The shape of the transition can be controlled, as the nozzle is integrally molded with the end wall


12


. The smooth, even inside surface of the nozzle


58


and the smooth transition between the end wall


12


and the nozzle


58


allows the taping compound to flow freely through the nozzle. This non restricted flow is illustration in FIG.


4


. In the prior art, as depicted in

FIG. 5

, the nozzles have sharp edges and ledges provided thereon. These ledges and sharp edges do not allow the taping compound to flow freely. The taping compound flows differently and less efficiently around these obstacles. Therefore, the operator must apply more force when using the prior art.




In the embodiment shown in the figures, the nozzle


58


does not have a perfect conical shape. When viewed in

FIG. 4

, the top portion of the nozzle proximate end wall


12


is flat rather than round. This allows the top portion of the nozzle


58


to cooperate directly with the top wall


16


. In other words, no ledge or shoulder of end wall


12


is positioned between the top portion of the nozzle


58


and the top wall


16


, thereby providing an even transition from the top wall to the nozzle. This further facilitates the smooth, even flow of material previously described.




While the detailed description describes the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The drawings show a corner box in which walls


10


,


12


,


16


, and


18


and the nozzle


58


are molded in one piece. However, the invention applies to other boxes which do not have the walls and the nozzle molded in one piece.




The foregoing illustrates just some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.



Claims
  • 1. A box for dispensing compound to a surface, the box comprising:a compound receiving cavity having side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a fixed end wall and a movable end wall, the movable end wall being movable between a first position and a second position; a nozzle extending from the fixed end wall in a direction away from the movable end wall and the compound receiving cavity, a first end of the nozzle is positioned proximate to and cooperates with the cavity, an interior wall of the nozzle has a smooth configuration and a smooth, arcuate transition with the end wall; the top wall and a portion of the nozzle are configured to cooperate with each other so that no shoulder is provided therebetween; whereby as the movable wall is moved from the first position to the second position, the compound provided in the cavity will flow easily and evenly out of the cavity through the nozzle with minimal disturbance in the flow of the compound.
  • 2. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 1 wherein the nozzle has an essentially conical configuration.
  • 3. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 2 wherein the top of the nozzle is essentially flat to conform to the shape of the top wall.
  • 4. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 3 wherein the top wall as an arcuate configuration to facilitate the movement of the movable wall between the first and second position.
  • 5. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 1 wherein the side walls, the bottom wall, the top wall and the fixed end wall are integrally molded in a single molding operation.
  • 6. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 1 wherein an arcuate recess is provided on the bottom wall, the arcuate recess extends from one side wall to the other side wall, and a cylindrical portion is provided on the movable end wall, the arcuate recess and the cylindrical portion are configured to have essentially the same diameter and circumference, such that the arcuate recess and cylindrical portion cooperate to prevent the flow of the compound from the cavity therebetween.
  • 7. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 6 wherein rubber sealing members are provided on a top edge and side edges of the movable wall, the rubber sealing members cooperate with the top wall and side walls to prevent the improper flow of compound from the cavity.
  • 8. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 1 wherein a securing latch is rotatably mounted to the top wall, the securing latch maintains the movable wall between the first and the second position when the securing latch is in a latching position.
  • 9. A box for dispensing compound to a surface, the box comprising:a compound receiving cavity having side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a fixed end wall and a movable end wall, the movable end wall being movable between a first position and a second position; an arcuate recess provided on the bottom wall, the arcuate recess extends from one side wall to the other side wall; a cylindrical portion provided on the movable wall, the arcuate recess and the cylindrical portion are configured to have essentially the same diameter and circumference and are maintained in close relationship as the movable wall is moved between the first and second positions; whereby as the movable wall is moved between the first position and the second position, the arcuate recess and cylindrical portion cooperate to prevent the flow of compound from the cavity therebetween.
  • 10. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 9 wherein the side walls, the bottom wall, the top wall and the fixed end wall are integrally molded in a single molding operation.
  • 11. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 9 wherein rubber sealing members are provided on a top edge and side edges of the movable wall, the rubber sealing members cooperate with the top wall and side walls to prevent the improper flow of compound from the cavity.
  • 12. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 9 wherein a securing latch is rotatably mounted to the top wall, the securing latch maintains the movable wall between the first and the second position when the securing latch is in a latching position.
  • 13. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 9 wherein a nozzle extends from the fixed end wall in a direction away from the movable end wall and the compound receiving cavity, a first end of the nozzle is positioned proximate to and cooperates with the cavity, an interior wall of the nozzle has a smooth configuration and a smooth, arcuate transition with the end wall, whereby as the movable wall is moved from the first position to the second position, compound provided in the cavity will flow easily and evenly out of the cavity through the nozzle with minimal disturbance in the flow of the compound.
  • 14. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 13 wherein the top wall and a portion of the nozzle are configured to cooperate with each other so that no shoulder is provided therebetween.
  • 15. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 14 wherein the nozzle is integrally molded to the fixed end wall.
  • 16. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 14 wherein the nozzle has an essentially conical configuration.
  • 17. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 16 wherein the top of the nozzle is essentially flat to conform to the shape of the top wall.
  • 18. The box for dispensing compound as recited in claim 17 wherein the top wall as an arcuate configuration to facilitate the movement of the movable wall between the first and second position.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Number Name Date Kind
1306830 Moore Jun 1919 A
2313213 Atherley Mar 1943 A
2664753 Hein Jan 1954 A
2889699 Ames Sep 1959 A
3602405 Ames Aug 1971 A
4664611 Kumar May 1987 A
Non-Patent Literature Citations (4)
Entry
Brochure—Ames—Tools, Supplies, Service.
Brochure—TapeTech—Why should you be using a TapeTech Automatic Taper and Drywall Finishing System?.
Brochure—Premier Drywall Tool Co.—The New Generation of Drywall Taping Tools.
Brochure—Murco Wall Products, Inc.