Patent Grant
10837186
The present invention is directed to a dispenser-applicator adapted for applying spreadable substances to solid surfaces. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a dispenser-applicator for applying patching compounds to surfaces of wood, plaster, drywall and the like.
Modern patching compounds are typically pre-mixed ready to use spreadable paste or putty-like products sold in plastic tubs, jars and tubes, and which are designed to repair small imperfections in the surfaces of wood, plaster, drywall and the like. The term “spackle” was originally a trademark for a specific product but has come to be used as a generic term for patching compounds. Patching compounds typically dry quickly and remain workable for only a few minutes. Accordingly, because it is not possible to leave the lid off of the patching compound container for any appreciable period of time without drying out and ruining the compound, the user must repeatedly remove and remount the lid each time more compound is obtained, typically by extracting a portion on the blade of a putty knife or other similar applicator. In order to save time associated with this repetitious task, it is a common practice of tradesmen facing larger repair jobs to transfer a larger amount of compound from the container to a damp rag and roll it up inside in the form of a ball. This technique is especially useful when patching a myriad of smaller holes and cracks because the user can transfer a small amount of material from the rag onto a fingertip for application onto the surface to be patched. The use of fingertips rather than a tool for patching small holes and cracks is also a very common technique with some advantages not the least of which is that there is no tool to handle, drop or misplace. Moreover, the user has a certain degree of control over the material based on tactile sensation or “feel” which can speed application. Unfortunately, these techniques are not without their shortcomings. First, the user is constantly required to wipe dried material from the fingertips onto the damp rag so that the dried material does not interfere with application of fresh material generally, and with leaving a smooth uniform appearance in particular. The dried material on the rag usually ends up dropping all over the floor and tracked around with the shoes leaving the jobsite unsightly and requiring more cleanup time. Additionally, because fingertips are somewhat pliable, the skin can be forced into the holes or cracks to be repaired when too much pressure is applied leaving divots that must later be filled in with more material. It can be challenging, therefore, to fill the imperfection with a flat smooth finish which cuts down on sanding time.
Based on the above, there is a need in the art for a patching compound dispenser and applicator capable of holding ample amounts of compound, dispensing the compound onto the work surface in a controlled manner and for simultaneously spreading the compound in a smooth even manner.
The subject invention meets the above-described need in the art by providing a combination patching compound dispenser and applicator. More specifically, embodiments of the dispenser-applicator of the subject invention are comprised of a generally cone-shaped bag typically constructed of a non-water permeable sheet good material, the bag having a charging aperture defined by the perimeter of the open “base” of the cone for introducing patching compound into the bag, and a dispensing aperture through the cone wall, proximate the tip or apex of the cone, through which the patching compound is dispensed onto the substrate surface to be repaired or prepped, as applicable. Embodiments of the invention include a disc-shaped applicator preferably but not essentially made of plastic or rubber polymer having an outer diameter, an inner diameter defining an opening, and top and bottom co-planar surfaces therebetween. The opening of the applicator is in communication with the dispensing aperture such that patching compound may be dispensed first through the dispensing aperture and then through the applicator opening. A novel aspect of the subject apparatus is the shape of the applicator. Unlike typical putty knives or other applicator blades of the prior art having a straight edge which can only be drawn linearly across the substrate surface in the direction of the applicator's handle, the disc shape of the applicator facilitates spreading and smoothing of the patching compound in any radial direction (i.e., in any radius normal to the center axis of the applicator opening). A fingertip rest is disposed on the outer surface of the cone wall, opposite the applicator, to facilitate manipulation of the applicator in any such direction.
Other embodiments of the invention include a mesh applicator, preferably but not essentially polyethylene mesh, adhered to the bottom surface of the applicator which has been found to be useful in repairing imperfections in irregularly shaped surfaces such as door trim, for example, because of its ability to conform to the contours of the irregular surface. In embodiments of the invention, the top surface of the applicator may be adhered to the outer surface of the cone wall. Alternatively, the applicator may be fastened to the cone wall, around the dispensing aperture, using a speed fastener or other fastening component that is generally I-shaped in cross section. The fastener may be adapted to receive peripheral articles such as a closure cap and straight edged spatula.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is, therefore, a primary object of the subject invention to provide a combination patching compound dispenser and applicator comprised of a generally cone-shaped bag having a charging aperture for introducing patching compound into the bag, and a dispensing aperture through the cone wall and proximate the truncated end of the cone.
It is another primary object of the subject invention to provide such a patching compound dispenser and applicator further including a disc-shaped applicator circumscribing the dispensing aperture, the applicator being useful for spreading patching compound in any direction of travel over the planar surface of the substrate being worked.
Another object of the subject invention is to provide a combination patching compound dispenser and applicator that is ergonomic in form and therefore easily controlled over the substrate surface.
Another object of the subject invention is to provide a combination patching compound dispenser and applicator that is refillable and easy to clean, and which mitigates against the patching compound from drying out, forming clumps or otherwise becoming unusable.
Still another object of the subject invention is to provide a combination patching compound dispenser and applicator which is relatively simple in design and therefore capable of rapid construction at relatively low costs.
Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide a combination patching compound dispenser and applicator that can be folded flat for or rolled into a cylinder shape thereby affording numerous packaging and product display options.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawings figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. The figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
In addition, as used in the following description, any reference to terms of orientation such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down”, “inward” or “outward”, “proximate”, “distal”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “vertically”, “forwardly”, “rearwardly”, “leftward”, “rightward”, “upward”, “downward”, “inwardly” or “outwardly”), generally refer to the orientation of a surface or structure relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that a component may be designed as multiple components or that multiple components may be designed as a single component.
Furthermore, reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples.
Reference is now made to
The proximal end 14 of bag 12 terminates in proximal edge 28 which defines charging aperture 30. Charging aperture 30 serves as the opening through which patching compound may be introduced into chamber 20 and thus, should have a diameter suitably sized for this purpose. For smaller sized units of the subject apparatus 10, charging aperture 30 has diameters ranging from 2 inches to 4 inches. For larger sized units, charging aperture 30 has diameters ranging from 3 inches to 6 inches, although the maximum diameter is really determined by practicality, namely if it is too large, the apparatus as a whole will become unwieldy. To that end, bags having an overall length of 8 inches to 12 inches are considered optimal. Anything larger would be difficult to manage by one hand.
Distal end 16 includes a dispensing aperture 32 disposed through side-wall 18, proximate the bottom surface 26b of tip 26. Dispensing aperture 32 is the orifice through which the patching compound is dispensed onto the substrate surface to be repaired or prepped, as applicable. A fingertip rest 34 is affixed to and projects outwardly from the outer surface of side-wall 18, opposite dispensing aperture 32. As may be readily appreciated by reference to
The dispenser/applicator 10 described above represents the simplest embodiment of the subject invention. As may be appreciated, location of dispensing aperture 32 through side-wall 18 on one “side” of bag 12 and directly underneath a fingertip rest 34 on the opposite side of the bag enables the user to dispense the patching material directly underneath the fingertip which affords great control over the patching material. The user essentially points to where the material is to be applied and presses the material in place by applying finger pressure to the corresponding fingertip rest 34. The material can be applied in any direction by applying pressure against that portion of the depression 36 that corresponds with the desired direction of application.
Reference now being made to
Applicator disc 40 has an outer diameter OD at least twice the size of its inner diameter ID. Depending on the size of imperfections in the substrate to be repaired or patched, applicator disc 40 can have a particularly large OD in proportion to its central hole 42. In some embodiments, the outer circumference of applicator disc 40 is rounded (as shown) or beveled. Applicator disc 40 may be rigid or semi-rigid. The outer diameter of applicator disc 40 may range from 10 mm to 100 mm with a range of 15 mm to 60 mm being ideal for most applications.
Referring now to
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Although the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments herein set forth, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing specifications, but rather only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2820234 | Rigney | Jan 1958 | A |
| 4008968 | Hobbs | Feb 1977 | A |
| 4451164 | Roberts, Jr. | May 1984 | A |
| 5248211 | Hoist | Sep 1993 | A |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200165830 A1 | May 2020 | US |
