Patent Application
20080116087
This invention is in the field of construction, specifically materials and methods for texturing surfaces and repairing holes, punctures, cut-outs, dents, imperfections, cracks, or scrapes on walls composed of plaster, drywall, sheetrock, stucco and a variety of surfaces, such as insulation, metal, and other materials.
Construction and decorating are increasingly becoming very popular for the amateur do-it-yourselfer. Among the biggest problems of the weekend do-it-yourselfer are the following: 1) making a mess requiring lengthy clean up; 2) failing to purchase all necessary materials and tools for the project, necessitating one or more returns to the store; 3) failing to complete the project in the brief discretionary or leisure time available for the project; and 4) buying excess amounts of products intended for much larger projects.
One of the more difficult challenges for the amateur to conquer is wall repair. There exist a number of products for this task, such as containers of joint compound and a variety of spreaders. One attempt at a wall repair kit included a bucket, pint container of repair mix, tube of spackle, mesh tape, sanding supplies and other tools, weighing 2.5 pounds. However, the amateur or professional decorator wants to accomplish the job in a single step without the mess, a need which is currently not satisfied.
A job beyond the talent and experience of all but the most committed repairman is texturing walls. There are available shaggy paint rollers which improve the visual appearance of the completed repair. Prior to the instant invention, there has been no way to easily and conveniently repair a wall which has been previously textured. Reapplying a shaggy paint roller often leads to excessive accumulation of texturing materials and paint, resulting in an undesirable result and unsightly, unacceptable repair.
What is needed is a one-step, ready-to-apply wall repair kit, which is readily applied to a flat or textured wall.
In one embodiment, there is provided a patch for repairing a hole or a scrape on a surface that contains a patching compound of a semi-fluid consistency, such that the compound can be applied to a surface in a thin coat and can adhere, seal and dry in a relatively short time. Also provided is a mesh which helps support the patching compound. A package encloses the patching compound, the package having at least two surfaces and a plurality of edges, the edges of one surface being connected to the edges of the other surface; the package including a packaging material which 1) is malleable permitting the application of pressure to create texture in the patching compound, and 2) retains the moisture of the enclosed patching compound. The package has at least one seal to connect the edges of the package to enclose the patching compound and mesh. Such a patch is also provided in a kit with instructions.
In another embodiment, there is a method for patching a surface that utilizes the afore-mentioned patch. The steps include the steps of removing seals from three of the edges of the patch packaging, pulling two opposite unsealed edges of the package to spread out the patch compound, applying the patching compound to the surface, applying a sideways motion to the patch package to affix the patching compound to the surface, and peeling the patch package away from the patching compound, thereby covering the surface with a patch.
In another embodiment, there is provided a method for texturing surfaces that utilizes the afore-mentioned patch and has the steps of removing seals from the edges of the patch packaging, opening two opposite unsealed edges of the package to spread out the patching compound, applying the patching compound in the surface, applying a sideways motion to the patch package to affix the patch compound to the surface, and peeling the patch package away from the patching compound.
So that the manner in which the features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only a preferred embodiment of the invention and is therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
The invention is a disposable, self-contained, one-step, ready-to-apply, wall-repair kit and method for use wherever wall repair may be needed. The kit can be used to make patches or can be placed over patches to give a smooth or textured surface. The kit can be used alone on small defects and punctures, such as holes caused by nails, picture hanging devices, mollies, and other wall fastening devices. In addition, the invention can be used to cover and provide texture to larger surface areas and defects, wherein underlying patching may be required as an appropriate base for use of the kit to provide the desired final flat or textured surface. The invention can be provided in various sizes up to and including wall size.
The major component of the kit is a malleable, plastic package of patching compound or joint compound (
The patching compound is a ready-to-use material which requires no mixing or other preparation. The patching compound has a semi-fluid consistency such that the compound can be applied to a surface in a thin coat and can adhere and dry in a relatively short time. The patch is applied by manipulating the plastic cover of the package, so as to minimize or eliminate messy contact with hands, clothing, or surrounding surfaces or objects. Once the patching compound is applied, the plastic cover is peeled off the patch and is folded upon itself to keep the mess to an absolute minimum. This feature has the advantages of no mixing or other preparation of the patching compound and eliminates or minimizes mess.
The prototype repair kits have been manufactured by hand to the inventor's specifications. Squares, rectangles or other shapes of plastic sheeting were cut to the desired size and laid on a flat surface. A quantity of diluted joint compound was placed on one side of the sheet and a mesh (discussed below) was applied to the patching compound. The plastic sheet was folded in half over the joint compound. The package 10 was next pressed flat until the edge of the patching material almost reached the edges 30 of the sheet. The edges 30 of the sheet were sealed shut 40 with heat. Optionally the package 10 has tear strips 50 pressed into the periphery. For these prototype units, the plastic was not preprinted with instructions for use or any other information, such as the included plastic utility knife.
To those skilled in the art, a variety of alterations to the non-commercial manufacture of the repair kits can be deduced. The repair kits can be made in any number of geometric configurations, filled with various types of patching compounds (including, but not limited to, joint compound, plaster, and SPACKLE surfacing compound), filled with various quantities of patching compound, compressed and flattened to various thicknesses. The thickness of the packet is preferably less than one inch, preferably less one half inch and more preferably less than about one fourth of an inch. The plastic can be folded in half or other proportions over the patching compound to form a container. To close the package layers of plastic, heat sealing, hot or cold glue, or other adhesives also can be used, such that such sealing technique provides an airtight seal to prevent the patching compound from drying out. Although the plastic container is preferably clear, it can be translucent or tinted and pre-printed with directions. Alternately, plastic container may be replaced by polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, coated paper or plastic or another pliable plastic or even with another pliable, inexpensive material that does not chemically or physically react with the patching compound and is compatible with the sealing technique used. When the container is sealed, it optionally will have tear strips 50 pressed into the periphery.
The patch kit can be marketed in its manufactured, flexible form or can be placed in any number and variety of sturdy storage, shipping, handling and/or display containers, including but not limited to a cardboard slot. Such external containers for the repair kit can be stamped, preprinted with ink, silk screened or covered with other suitable means known to those skilled in the art. Alternately, the plastic package of the repair kit itself can likewise be printed or silk screened with directions, contents, source and other information. The package is preferably relatively flat, so that it can be shipped economically and stored flat. The package also permits the decorator to customize the texture of the repair by applying manual pressure in different amounts and to different locations on the patch covered by the plastic. The harder the pressure the decorator applies, the deeper is the texturing. The package is preferably clear or translucent to permit user to see the final effect on the covered surface before removing the patch to optimize the final visual result.
Those skilled in the art realize that the patch package can be manufactured per specifications on an assembly line or by way of a specially-tooled machine which can apply patching compound and mesh and seal the plastic packaging along with easy-use tear strips within the same process. Continuous rolls of plastic can be used and can be pre-printed, as the stamping machine provides uniformly sized patch packages. Thusly manufactured patch packages can then be placed in individual sleeves or in multiple-package shipping containers. The applicator(s) can be provided in the sleeved kits for hanging or separately in a retail point-of-purchase product container.
The patching compound can be applied to a variety of materials, including but not limited to, drywall or sheet rock, painted and unpainted surfaces, insulation, and metal. Other possible surfaces for patching are possible and can be readily determined by applying a corner of the patching material to the surface to determine adherence. With the water-based patching material disclosed above, the patching material may not adhere permanently to a surface which collects moisture. In that case, a non-water based patching compound and compatible mesh are preferred.
The method for patching begins with obtaining the patch kit, or at least the flat packet containing the patching material. The amateur or professional decorator obtains, for example, a rectangular package such as is shown in
This kit and method can be sized for small texturizing projects, such as holes, punctures, cut-outs, dents, imperfections, cracks, or scrapes of walls composed of plaster, drywall, sheetrock, stucco and a variety of surfaces. Insulation, metal, and certain other materials. The kit with enlarged patching package also can be used for large projects.
The invention has several advantages. The product is easy-to-use for any level of user knowledge or skill. This is a single-use, readily disposable product, so there is no issue of trying to store left-over product, which would not be useful in the future. The product and method are very easy and straightforward and can be completed quickly with a minimum of user time.
While the invention has been shown in several embodiments, it should be apparent that it is not limited to those embodiments but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 11/562,407, filed Nov. 21, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11562407 | Nov 2006 | US |
| Child | 11762760 | US |
