1. Technical Field
Adhesives and sealants such as caulking and other air curable materials are typically provided in a cartridge or squeezable tube. This invention relates to solving the problem of preventing air from curing the materials in a partially used cartridge or tube by using a liquid as a seal.
A conventional cartridge or tube generally has a tubular body with a forward moving expulsion/sealing disk at the rear end and an elongated dispensing spout protruding outwardly from the front end. A squeezable tube also has a tubular body member with a squeezable or foldable rear end and a dispensing spout in oppositely disposed front end. For use, the dispensing spout is cut open, unsealing the cartridge or tube. Often there is an additional inner seal which requires piercing with a nail or rod. When the contents of the cartridge or tube are not entirely dispensed, preventing exposure to the atmosphere is needed to prevent curing of the remaining material. Many times, the cartridge is retained in a caulking gun.
2. Description of Prior Art
In use, most users of adhesives and sealants such as caulking compounds or other air curable materials, usually insert a nail or screw into the spout, or wrapped the spout with plastic film or tape in an effort to prevent the atmosphere from curing the remaining material.
Prior art patents have disclosed a number of other sealing devices, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,486,503, 3,930,599, 4,284,213, 5,104,013, 5,301,843 and 6,824,026.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,503 a screw based cap having an insert is used.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,930,599 discloses a cap for caulking cartridge wherein a cap is engaged over the entire end of the tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,213 claims a cap that can be inverted and introduced into the spout.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,013 claims a series of engageable cap elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,843 discloses a combination caulking tube cap and application device.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,026 discloses an elongated cap resiliently conforming to the surface of the nozzle thus making an elongated annular seal.
A liquid is utilized to reseal the opening of the cartridge or tube thereby providing a true air excluding environment. Using a liquid as a seal solves the problem by preventing the atmosphere from curing caulk and other air curing materials. Excluding the atmosphere from the spout of a cartridge or tube is accomplished by immersing the spout into a liquid filled portable vessel that remains affixed to the spout until further use of the cartridge. This portable vessel can be utilized when the cartridge is retained within the caulking gun. The method and apparatus are effective regardless of the spout angle.
The instant invention provides for a method of using a liquid as a seal. This method includes a portable vessel containing a liquid and into which the spout of an opened cartridge or tube is inserted, thus providing a seal, thereby preventing curing of the material contained within the cartridge or tube. The method concept allows for the vessel to be portable and affixable to the spout, even if retained in a caulking gun.
The instant invention provides for an apparatus utilizing a liquid as a seal. The apparatus is portable and affixable to the spout, even if retained in a caulking gun.
Further, the instant invention provides for a method and apparatus of converting a pliable body such a ball into a portable vessel containing a liquid and into which the spout of an opened cartridge or tube is inserted, thus providing a seal, thereby preventing curing of the material contained within the cartridge or tube.
The basic embodiment of the instant invention is a rubber body, such as a ball, having a small hole through which a liquid, e.g. water, is introduced; the spout of the caulking cartridge or tube is then introduced through the hole such that the liquid makes an air excluding environment to the spout. The elasticity of the rubber affixing to the spout provides for a liquid retaining means. The liquid retaining means may be a separate apparatus introduced into and through the pliable exterior wall of the body wherein this liquid retaining means may also have a spout accepting means. The rubber body is a vessel to contain the liquid; obviously, the vessel can be made of other pliable materials and the shape of the vessel could be elongated to follow the general shape of the spout. The liquid or semi-liquid or gel may be water-based or petroleum-based or other substance, compound or mixture which is known in the art to prevent curing of material.
Another variation to the instant invention is a thick balloon in which the mouthpiece is turned inward into the body of the balloon producing an inward facing duck-billed valve. A liquid is introduced into the balloon through the inverted mouthpiece; spillage is prevented by the valve function of the inverted mouth piece. The spout is wiped off and introduced into and through the rear of the duck-billed valve. The inverted mouth piece stretches to conform to the spout. The spout of the cartridge or tube introduced becomes encompassed by the liquid.
Another variation to the instant invention is to provide a means for converting the ubiquitous rubber or other pliable material ball into the basic invention for a liquid to provide an air excluding environment. This is accomplished with a hollow structural assembly having a piercing means, with which the wall of a rubber ball is pierced. This piercing means, may or may not be unitary with a means for fastening the assembly to the ball's wall, a means for inserting the liquid into the ball, a means for retaining the liquid, a means for preventing liquid spillage, and a means for introducing the spout into cavity of the ball.
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It will thus be seen that a new and novel means for excluding the atmosphere from an opened cartridge or tube has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.