Patent Application
20190374973
Aspects of this document relate generally to systems and methods for applying viscous materials to a surface.
Holes and other imperfections in walls, ceilings, floors, and other surfaces are often repaired using a compound such as a wall-patch material that is customarily applied using a semi-flexible knife and is sourced from a single-batch container that typically contains far more compound than will be used in a single application. This process typically introduces problems such as wasted compound, source contamination, and messy application thereby resulting in the user discarding unused and contaminated compound which increases the cost of such repairs due to this wasted and discarded product. The tools involved may also be unwieldy and require additional time and cost in cleaning and storing such tools for future use.
Implementations of a compound delivery applicator may comprise a substantially conical portion comprising a first end configured to couple to a compound receptacle and an applicator blade coupled to the substantially conical portion. The applicator blade may comprise a first portion extending outwardly along a longitudinal axis of and from a second end of the substantially conical portion, the first portion comprising a first side edge and a second side edge each forming an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the substantially conical portion and a scraper coupled to the first portion distal the substantially conical portion, the scraper comprising a recessed channel along at least a portion of an edge of the scraper distal from the first portion of the applicator blade. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a compound delivery channel proximate at least one of the first and second side edges of the first portion of the applicator blade and extending internally through at least a portion of the substantially conical portion, the compound delivery channel further extending through the scraper of the applicator blade and configured to pass a compound therethrough and a flow control button located within the recessed channel of the scraper.
Particular aspects may comprise one or more of the following features. The scraper may further comprise a distribution surface comprising an opening configured to pass compound from the compound delivery channel therethrough. The distribution surface may form an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the substantially conical portion. The recessed channel may be located on a surface of the scraper other than the distribution surface. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a pen body configured to house a compound receptacle therein, a plunger, and a spring surrounding at least a portion of the compound delivery channel, wherein the spring and plunger are configured to dispense a compound within the compound receptacle when the plunger is depressed. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a tab located proximal the substantially conical portion. The compound delivery applicator may be configured to pivot laterally about the longitudinal axis. The compound delivery applicator may be configured to pivot vertically about the longitudinal axis. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a sanding surface located on an exterior surface of at least one of the substantially conical portion and the applicator blade.
Implementations of a compound delivery applicator may comprise a substantially conical portion comprising a first end configured to couple to a compound receptacle and an applicator blade coupled to the substantially conical portion. The applicator blade may comprise a first portion extending outwardly along a longitudinal axis of and from a second end of the substantially conical portion, the first portion comprising a first side edge and a second side edge each forming an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the substantially conical portion and a scraper coupled to the first portion distal the substantially conical portion. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a compound delivery channel extending internally through at least a portion of the substantially conical portion, the compound delivery channel further extending through the scraper of the applicator blade and configured to pass a compound therethrough.
Particular aspects may comprise one or more of the following features. An edge of the scraper may comprise a first edge portion and a second edge portion forming an angle with each other within a range of 90 to 120 degrees. The edge of the scraper may further comprise a third edge portion and a fourth edge portion that are substantially parallel to one another. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a sanding surface located on an exterior surface of at least one of the substantially conical portion and the applicator blade. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a cap configured to fit over the compound delivery applicator and secure to a compound receptacle. The cap may further comprise a sanding surface on an end of the cap distal from an open end of the cap. A first end of the substantially conical portion may be threaded such that it is configured to threadably couple to the compound receptacle. The compound delivery applicator may be configured to pivot laterally about the longitudinal axis. The compound delivery applicator may be configured to pivot vertically about the longitudinal axis. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a pen body configured to house a compound receptacle therein, a plunger, and a spring surrounding at least a portion of the compound delivery channel, wherein the spring and plunger are configured to dispense a compound within the compound receptacle when the plunger is depressed. The compound delivery applicator may further comprise a tab located proximal the substantially conical portion.
Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventor is fully aware that she can be her own lexicographer if desired. The inventor expressly elects, as her own lexicographer, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless she clearly states otherwise and then further, expressly sets forth the “special” definition of that term and explains how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventor's intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.
The inventor is also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.
Further, the inventor is fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of post-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Description, Drawings, or Claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of post-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of post-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are sought to be invoked to define the claimed disclosure, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of post-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Moreover, even if the provisions of post-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are invoked to define the claimed disclosure, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.
Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:
This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific components or methods disclosed herein. Many additional components and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with the intended compound delivery apparatus and related methods will become apparent for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation.
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for applying a surface compound such as by non-limiting example, wall-patch, Spackle®, putty, adhesive, caulk, paint, stain, and other similar substances.
As shown, an applicator blade 135 is coupled to a second end 130 of the substantially conical portion 115 of the compound delivery applicator 100. The applicator blade 135 comprises a first portion 137 that extends outwardly from the second end 130 of the substantially conical portion 115 and along a longitudinal axis of the substantially conical portion 115. First and second side edges 140, 145 extend outward from the second end 130 of the conical portion each forming an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the substantially conical portion 115. A scraper 150 is coupled to the first portion 137 of the applicator blade 135 at a location that is distal from the substantially conical portion 115. In some implementations, the scraper 150 may comprise a recessed channel 155 located on a surface of the scraper as depicted in
In some implementations, as shown in
Some embodiments of the compound delivery applicator 100 may further comprise a flow control button 175 that allows a user to control flow of the compound by allowing the compound to flow freely from the opening 165 in the scraper 150 when the flow control button 175 is in an open position and prevent compound from flowing through the opening 165 when the flow control button 175 is in the closed position. The flow control button 175 may be located within the recessed channel 155 of the scraper 150 and may slide or otherwise move within the recessed channel 155 to control the flow of compound application. As shown in
While some implementations of the compound delivery applicator may comprise a scraper 150 having a single edge portion that is flat and uniform for use in applying compound to a flat surface such as depicted in
Additionally as shown, the applicator 200 may further comprise a recessed channel 155 running along at least a portion of one or more scraper edge portions 201, 202 distal from the substantially conical portion 115. While it is contemplated that the recessed channel 155 may be located on either surface of the scraper 150, in some implementations, it may be preferable to locate the channel 155 on an opposite surface from that on which the opening 165 in the distribution surface 170 is located for ease of operation of a flow control button 175 that may be located in the recessed channel 155. The flow control button 175 may be slidably operated by moving the flow control button 175 within the recessed channel 155 between and open and closed position to control the flow of the compound being applied. Some embodiments may utilize a similar flow control button structure as the single edge-portion embodiment of the applicator in which the flow control button 175 comprises a hollow portion 177 configured to align with the substantially cylindrical hollow compound delivery channel 160 and the opening 165 in the distribution surface 170. Due to the angled design of the scraper edge portions in this embodiment, however, in some implementations, it may be preferable to utilize a flow control button 175 that is structured such that at least a portion of the flow control button obstructs the substantially cylindrical hollow compound delivery channel when it is placed in a closed position that is aligned with the substantially cylindrical hollow compound delivery channel 160. Alternatively, when the flow control button is slid or otherwise located within the recessed channel 155 in an open position, the flow control button 175 does not obstruct the flow of compound through the substantially cylindrical hollow compound delivery channel 160. To accomplish this, the flow control button 175 may comprise a protrusion 210 extending outward from the flow control button such that the protrusion 210 at least partially obstructs the substantially cylindrical hollow compound delivery channel when in the closed position. As depicted in
In some implementations as shown in
Any of the embodiments of a compound delivery applicator contemplated by this disclosure may comprise one or more threads 125 to threadably couple to a compound receptacle 110. Alternatively, some embodiments may slide onto or slidably mate with a compound receptacle 110 such as an existing tube of compound such as caulk or wall-patch. In some embodiments, the compound receptacle 110 may comprise a disposable or refillable cartridge 112, as shown in
It is intended that the compound be dispensed by applying a pressure to the compound inside the compound receptacle 110 which may be accomplished by a user squeezing a compound receptacle 110 that is comprised of a flexible material, such as for example, a tube. Alternatively a plunger 190 may be used in conjunction with a spring 195 or other pressurizing device to apply a pressure to the compound within the compound receptacle 110 and/or cartridge 112. Such a plunger 190 may also be used in a syringe-like configuration to draw viscous compound into the compound receptacle 110. In some embodiments, the compound delivery applicator may be coupled to a pen-like or syringe-like body as shown in
As shown in
It is also contemplated, as shown in
Regardless of the location of the compound delivery channel 510, in some implementations, the compound delivery applicator 100 comprises one or more tabs 530 proximal the substantially conical portion 115. In some embodiments, it may be preferable to locate at least one tab 530 on either side of the substantially conical portion 115 at an orientation such that each tab 530 is substantially parallel to a surface onto which a compound is being applied as shown in
As shown in
Similarly, as shown in
Some implementations of a compound delivery applicator 100 may further comprise a sanding surface 570 located on an exterior of the compound delivery applicator 100. As shown in
In other implementations, the compound delivery applicator 100 may further comprise a cap 580 into which the compound delivery applicator 100 fits and which may be secured to the compound receptacle 110. A sanding surface 570 may be located at an end of the cap distal the open end 585 such that the cap 580 may be applied to the compound delivery applicator 100 and the compound receptacle 110 serves as a handle for the user to sand a surface to which a compound was applied.
In other implementations, a separate sanding tool may be interchangeable with the compound delivery applicator 100 as shown in
While it is intended that any number of the components comprising the compound delivery applicator, compound receptacle, plunger, etc. may be comprised of separately manufactured and assembled parts, some implementations may also be integrally formed so as to provide manufacturing efficiencies. It is contemplated that any of the components described in this disclosure may be comprised of any synthetic material, polymer, plastic, or any other suitable material that may be desired to be used in such implementations.
It will be understood that embodiments and implementations described and illustrated herein are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for compound application may be utilized. In places where the description above refers to particular embodiments of a compound delivery applicator and application techniques, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other such systems and components. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
The implementations listed here, and many others, will become readily apparent from this disclosure. From this, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand the versatility with which this disclosure may be applied.
This document is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/281,975 entitled “System and Method for Application of a Surface Compound” to Lisa Marie Evans, which was filed on Sep. 30, 2016 which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/054,825 entitled “System and Method of Application of a Surface Compound” to Lisa Marie Evans, which was filed on Feb. 26, 2016 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/334,607 entitled “System and Method of Application of a Surface Compound” to Lisa Marie Evans, filed on Jul. 17, 2014 which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/847,943, entitled “Patch Delivery Systems” to Lisa Marie Evans, which was filed on Jul. 18, 2013, the disclosures of which is hereby incorporated entirely by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61847943 | Jul 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15281975 | Sep 2016 | US |
| Child | 16545435 | US |
