US20130112720A1

US20130112720A1 - Rotating Angled Caulking Nozzle

Info

Publication number: US20130112720A1
Application number: US13/668,259
Authority: US
Inventors: Christopher Cross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-03
Filing date: 2012-11-03
Publication date: 2013-05-09

Abstract

Angled caulking nozzles allow for the optimal application of sealant materials in hard-to-reach areas. Provided herein are novel devices, methods, and designs for angled caulking nozzles which incorporate handles or other protrusions. The handles or other protrusions allow for the facile rotation of the angled caulking nozzle such that the angled dispensing tip may be easily and optimally positioned.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/555,041, filed on Nov. 3, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the fields of construction, plumbing, and related arts. The inventions described herein comprise novel tools for the application of caulk, sealant material, and other materials extruded from caulking guns or similar devices.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Adhesive and sealing materials such as caulk and silicone are applied in countless situations in construction, plumbing, finishing, and home repair. These materials are routinely supplied in tubes and applied using a caulking gun which extrudes the material from a nozzle at the end of the tube. Commercially available tubes have integrated nozzles which are oriented along the long axis of the tube and caulking gun barrel. Such straight nozzles are perfectly suited to most jobs. However, in myriad situations the materials need to be applied in confined spaces, irregular spaces, and other difficult-to-reach areas. In such case it would be advantageous to have a system that allowed for the application of the material at an angle deviating from the long axis of the tube and caulking gun barrel. Provided herein are devices, methods, and systems which fulfill this unmet need.
The invention is directed to the application of materials using a caulking gun. Such materials are typically supplied in cartridges, or “tubes,” which consist of an oblong cylinder. At one end, the cylinder is plugged with a disk shaped plug that is capable of moving within the body of the cylinder when pressure is applied to it. The other end of the tube is sealed with a non-moveable end wall. In the center of this wall is a small hole with a nozzle protruding from it, as described below. In the United States, such tubes are typically sold in two sizes, 10 fluid ounce tubes, and 28 fluid ounce tubes. The invention is directed to any size or shape tube compatible with caulking guns. For convenience, such tubes will be referred to as “sealant tubes.”
The nozzle, or “caulking tip,” protruding from the sealant tube is typically cone-shaped or consists of a short, substantially cylindrical body topped with a conical end. The tapering of the cone-shaped end of the nozzle allows the user to cut the nozzle at a range of diameters so that the bead of sealant material extruded from the tube will be of the desired diameter for the application. Commercially available sealant tubes have an integrated nozzle which is oriented parallel to the long axis of the sealant tube. For reference, “straight” nozzles will refer to such integrated sealant tube nozzles which are parallel to the long axis of the sealant tube.
Sealant tubes are capable of being loaded into appropriately sized caulking guns. The caulking gun is a device with a moveable piston or plunger having the same diameter as the inner diameter of the sealant tube. By squeezing a trigger, the user can ratchet the piston or plunger forward, putting pressure on the moveable plug at the distal end of the sealant tube and forcing material to flow from the nozzle. An appropriately sized caulking gun will have a disk shaped plunger that matches the inner diameter of the sealant tube. The invention is directed to the use of any caulking gun or apparatus, including hand-powered and motorized designs, which utilizes a plunger or piston to extrude materials from a sealant tube. Additionally, there are caulking guns which do not utilize disposable sealant tubes. These bulk or “sausage” type guns extrude bulk materials or packets of material from a solid cylindrical barrel. The invention is further directed to the use of these bulk-type caulking guns.
Many types of materials are supplied in sealant tubes. Elastomeric sealants, sometimes called “caulk,” are commonly supplied in these tubes, for example, silicone, polyurethane, polysulfide, polyurethane and acrylic sealants. Various adhesives, including construction adhesives (commonly called “liquid nails”) are also supplied in such tubes. The invention is directed to any material supplied in a caulking gun-compatible sealant tube, or dispensed from a caulking gun, such as a bulk-type caulking gun, and will, for convenience, be referred to as “sealant material.”
Sealant materials are often applied in difficult-to-reach areas or confined spaces. In some situations, the standard integrated straight nozzle will not reach the desired area. In other situations, a standard straight nozzle can access the desired area, but the body of the caulking gun will block the user's line of sight to the application area, which makes precise application difficult. In yet other situations, the user must align his or her body or arm at an uncomfortable angle in order to access the application area. In such situations, it would be advantageous to have a nozzle which can be readily positioned at an angle other than parallel to the long axis of the sealant tube and caulking gun barrel.
Various bent, or angled nozzles are known in the art. These nozzles point at angles deviating from the long axis of the caulking gun barrel, allowing the user to apply sealant material in difficult-to-reach spots or affording the user a better view of the application zone, allowing for more precise application of the sealant material. Some of these prior art angled nozzles are intended to be integrated into a sealant tube. Others constitute a replacement tip that slides over a standard, integrated tip and which, when fit in place, act as an extension of the sealant tube's integrated nozzle, providing an angled tip.
Exemplary commercially available angled nozzles include the 360 Pro Caulking Tip™ (TCIndustriesUSA) and the AngleShot™ (Albion Engineering). Additional prior art angled nozzles include those described in U.S. Design Pat. D377,891 by Benich, U.S. Design Pat. D468,601 by Horst, U.S. Design Pat. D476, 538 by Dorff, U.S. Design Pat. D598,722 by Coll, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,079 by Swann. Additional angled nozzles are disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. D660,106, as well as in pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/402,801, U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/402,802, and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/402,805, by C. Cross, inventor of the present disclosure.
Although angled nozzles are known in the art, the Applicant has discovered a novel modification of the angled nozzle which greatly improves the ease of use of an angled nozzle. The modification comprises the addition of one or more protrusions from the nozzle which allow quick, easy, and precise rotation of the angled nozzle so that it may be placed in the optimal position for the user's current sealant application. These protrusions greatly increase the versatility and ease of use of angled nozzles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary winged angled nozzle of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of an assembly comprising an exemplary winged angled nozzle of the invention, a sealant tube, and a caulking gun.

FIG. 3 depicts six exemplary embodiments of the winged nozzle concept, with the angled portion of the nozzle being angled towards the viewer. FIG. 3A depicts exemplary paddle-shaped wings. FIG. 3B depicts exemplary rectangular wings. FIG. 3C depicts exemplary polygonal wings. FIG. 3D depicts exemplary polygonal wings. FIG. 3E depicts circular wings. FIG. 3F depicts exemplary circular wings.

FIG. 4 depicts multiple views of an exemplary winged angled nozzle. FIG. 4A depicts a side view of an exemplary winged angled nozzle. FIG. 4B depicts a perspective view of an exemplary winged angled nozzle. FIG. 4C depicts a top view of an exemplary winged angled nozzle. FIG. 4D depicts a frontal view of an exemplary winged angled nozzle. FIG. 3E depicts a bottom view of an exemplary winged angled nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises an angled nozzle with one or more protrusions from the nozzle which aid the user in rotating the nozzle to the desired orientation. In some embodiments, the invention comprises two protrusions oriented 180 degrees from each other, somewhat visually reminiscent of wings. Accordingly, for ease of reference, the protrusions that aid in rotation of the nozzle will hereafter be referred to as “wings” and nozzles comprising such protrusions will hereafter be referred to as “winged” nozzles. However, it is understood that the protrusions which aid the user in rotating the nozzle may comprise any number of configurations, including single protrusions, double protrusions, triple protrusions, and other multiple protrusions; protrusions of any shape and size, and protrusions of varying orientations around the body of the nozzle.
The basic concept of the invention is exemplified in FIG. 1, which depicts one embodiment of the winged nozzle. The winged nozzle comprises a hollow, tubular body, which will be referred to as the “body” (102). Continuous with the body is a an angled section (103) which angles away from the long axis of the body and which terminates with a conical or tapered tip (104). It will be understood by one of skill in the art that the inner lumen of the nozzle initiates with an opening at the base of the body and is continuously hollow from the base of the body to the tip. This hollow interior allows (a) the insertion of an integrated straight nozzle into the winged nozzle; and (b) allows the flow of extruded material through the winged nozzle. At the base of the nozzle, the body is circumscribed by a substantially planar base (101). Protruding from the body is one or more handle or “wing” (105).
The winged nozzle is typically utilized in combination with a sealant tube and caulking gun, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The straight nozzle of a standard sealant tube (205) is cut, at any point along its length, to allow the flow of sealant. The winged nozzle is placed over the straight nozzle of the standard sealant tube, with the base of the winged nozzle (201) sitting substantially flush against the front surface of the sealant tube (206), such that the sealant tube's nozzle (205) is enclosed within the hollow body portion (202) of the winged nozzle. The sealant tube and winged nozzle are then fit into a caulking gun such that the base of the winged nozzle (201) is held fast between the end of the sealant tube (206) and the front end plate (209) of the caulking gun. The body (202), angled portion (204), wings (203) and enclosed nozzle of the sealant tube (205) protrude from the opening in the front end plate of the caulking gun (208). By pushing, gripping, or otherwise engaging the wing(s) (203) with his or her fingers, the user can quickly and easily rotate the angled portion (204) of the winged nozzle into an optimal position for the task at hand. At any time, e.g. before, during, or after placement of the winged nozzle over the standard sealant tube and its placement in the caulking gun, the user can cut the angled portion of the nozzle (204) at any point along its length, to create an opening of the desired size. When the plunger or piston of the caulking gun is engaged (210), sealant is then extruded through the straight nozzle of the sealant tube, into the winged nozzle, and then is channeled out the angled tip portion of the device.
The winged nozzles of the invention may be configured in myriad different ways. The base (101), encircles the basal end of the body and acts as a shelf or flange, radiating perpendicularly from the basal end of the body. The base can be of any shape or size, so long as it fits within the barrel of the caulking gun. Additionally, the base must be adequately wide such that it does not fall out of the front end plate opening (208) of the caulking gun. The base may comprise a continuous shelf or flange, or may comprise a series of discontinuous multiple protrusions radiating perpendicularly from the basal end of the body. A preferred configuration for the base is a circular or substantially circular flange having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the sealant tube. For example a circular base with a diameter of about 1 and 13/16^thinches may be used for a standard 10 fluid ounce caulking tube. Preferably the base is flat or substantially flat such that it sits flush against the front surface (206) of the sealant tube and prevents significant backflow of sealant material out of the base of the body (202).
The body may be of any shape. In some embodiments, the body is substantially cylindrical (i.e. circular). The size of the body may vary, but its inner lumen cross-sectional area must be adequately large that the sealant tube's straight nozzle will fit within it. The outer diameter of the body base must be adequately small that it will fit through the opening (208) in the dispensing end plate of the caulking gun in which it will be used. For example, a substantially cylindrical body with an inner diameter of at least ⅝^thinches may be used for with a standard 10 fluid ounce caulking tube. The body may be perfectly cylindrical or it may taper. The length of the body (the distance between the base and the start of the angled portion) is preferably longer than the length of a standard sealant tube nozzle, which for example, is generally about 3 inches long on a 10 fluid ounce sealant tube. However, the body may be shorter than the standard length of the standard sealant tube nozzle over which it is to be placed, so long as the standard sealant tube nozzle is cut short enough to fit within the body. For example a substantially cylindrical body with length of 2 and 11/16^thinches will fit over the straight nozzle of a standard 10 fluid ounce caulking tube.
The angled portion can be of any angle, for example deviating between 1 degree and 90 degrees from straight (i.e., from the long axis of the sealant tube or the caulking gun barrel). Exemplary angles are 22.5, 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees. U-shaped, hooked, or irregular angles may also be employed. Multiple adjoining angled portions may be used to create unique tools. The length of the angled portion can be of any length, for example, it may be in the range of 1 to 4 inches long.
The wings may be of any size or shape. The function of the wings is to provide a surface which aids the user in applying rotational pressure to the body of the nozzle, such that it may be rotated in a circular manner, which allows the user to position the angled dispensing tip in the desired orientation. Wings are preferably of adequate size that they can be engaged by the user's fingers, for example a wing having an area of about one square inch. Exemplary wing shapes include semi-circular wings, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1. Additional exemplary wing designs are illustrated in FIG. 3, including paddle-shaped wings (FIG. 3A), rectangular wings (FIG. 3B), polygonal wings (FIG. 3C), circular wings (FIG. 3E). Rod-like protrusions may also be employed. In some embodiments, the wings or protrusions extend one to several inches from the outer surface of the body. Longer protrusions provide the user with leverage, and this mechanical advantage can aid in the facile rotation of the nozzle. However, in many embodiments, it is preferred that the wings do not extend substantially beyond the diameter of the caulking gun barrel, in order to maintain a small profile for use in tight spots. For example, wings extending 0.25 to 1.5 inches from the outer surface of the body may be employed.
In many embodiments, the wings comprise a substantially planar “plate-like” body. The plate-like body is generally of a small thickness relative to its length and width, for example, having a thickness of 1-5 mm. In other embodiments, the protrusions are not flat, but may have variable thickness, for example in the form of frets, for example as illustrated in FIG. 3D.
A single wing may be used, or multiple wings may be employed. If multiple wings are employed, they may be spaced at any position relative to each other around the central axis of the body. In general, the use of two wings offset from each other by about 180 degrees is advantageous, as this configuration allows the user to roll the nozzle like a knob, with the thumb and forefinger applying laterally opposing forces to the opposite wings, which effects rotation of the nozzle. The wings may be positioned at any point along the body, so long as they do not impede the fitting of the winged nozzle into the caulking gun. In the illustrations depicted herein, the wings are located substantially in the center of the body, however they may be located at the base of the body or closer to the angled portion of the nozzle, if desired. Likewise, the wings may be located on the body at any location with respect to the angled portion of the nozzle. In the drawings provided herein, the wings are oriented 90 degrees from the angled portion of the nozzle, however it will be understood by one of skill in the art that the wings are not limited to this configuration and may be placed at any point around the body with respect to the angled portion of the nozzle.
In most embodiments, the wings protrude radialy from the body of the body, i.e., they are oriented perpendicularly to the body of the body. However, wings may protrude from the body at any desired angle.
In some embodiments, the wings comprise protrusions adorned with ridges, grooves, knurling, or other features which provide increased grip and which aid the user in rotating the nozzle. Alternatively, adhesives or textured materials can be deposited onto the wings to increase grip. In an alternative “wingless” embodiment, there are no bodies protruding substantially from the body, and instead the body comprises a region of ridges, grooves, knurling, tacky material, rough material, or adhesives, such region supplying adequate friction to increase the ease of rotating the nozzle.
In alternative embodiments, the nozzles of the invention are not used with sealant tubes, but are instead configured for use with bulk or “sausage” type caulking guns. Such dispensers typically employ substantially conical nozzles that are held in place by a threaded end cap that screws onto the barrel of the dispenser. The nozzles of the invention could be readily adapted for use in such dispensers by employing a circular base which is of the proper diameter to be held firmly in place in a bulk caulking gun. Alternatively, the base of the winged nozzle, rather than being planar may be conical, such that it fits within a standard straight nozzle used with a bulk sealant dispenser.
Advantageously, the nozzles of the invention may be quickly employed when the user encounters a tight spot or difficult application angle, and then removed so that the user can resume using the sealant tube's standard straight nozzle. After use, the device will contain un-extruded sealant material. The device may be disposed of at this point. Alternatively, the excess material may be removed while wet, or, depending on the type of sealant, the sealant may be allowed to cure and then be readily extracted from the device so that it may be reused. Alternatively, the device may be wrapped in airtight material to prevent the sealant contained within from hardening.
In an alternative embodiment, the invention comprises a sealant tube with an integral angled nozzle equipped with wings. To rotate the angled tip into the desired position, the user withdraws the plunger or piston of the caulking gun to releases pressure on the sealant tube, and thereafter the user rotates the entire assembly, including the nozzle and sealant tube body, by engaging the wings and applying rotational pressure.
The nozzles of the invention may be made of any material which is adequately rigid to channel the flow of the sealant material and which is adequately resistant to the sealant material such that it will not quickly dissolve or degrage upon contact with the sealant material. The preferred composition of the device is polymeric material (“plastic”). Exemplary polymeric materials include polyethylene (e.g., HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, LLDPE), polypropylene (e.g., PP, OPP), blends of PP and PE, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (e.g., PET, EPET, PETG, OPET), polystyrene (e.g., PS, HIPS), and polyamide and other polymeric materials known in the art. The nozzles of the invention may be manufactured by any means, including injection molding, compression molding, extrusion molding, and blow molding, or machining methods such as lathing, drilling, engraving, milling, and etching. The nozzles of the invention are preferably manufactured as a single piece to reduce manufacturing costs, but may also be manufactured in multiple pieces and subsequently assembled.
The invention encompasses the various nozzle devices described above, and further encompasses methods of using such devices. Additionally, the invention encompasses novel ornamental designs for angled caulking nozzles, for example the winged nozzle design depicted in FIG. 4.
All patents, patent applications, and publications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference, to the same extent as if each independent patent, patent application, or publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. While the invention has been described with reference to the described embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that modifications can be made to the structure and elements of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as a whole.

Claims

1. A nozzle for dispensing sealant material, comprising

a hollow tubular body which is open at the basal end, and which at the opposite end terminates with a hollow and tapered tip, which such tip is angled away from the long axis of the body, wherein the inner lumen of the body is continuous with the cavity inside the tip;

a plate encircling the outer diameter of the body's basal end, which such plate extends perpendicularly from the long axis of the body; and

at least one protrusion extending from the body, which such protrusion aids in gripping and rotating the nozzle.

2. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion extending from the body of the nozzle comprises a plate-like structure.

3. The nozzle of claim 2, wherein the profile of each one or more plate-like structures comprises a surface area of at least one half square inch.

4. The nozzle of claim 2, wherein the shape of the one or more plate-like structure is selected from a group consisting of the following: semi-circular, circular, polygonal, square, rectangular, or triangular.

5. The nozzle of claim 2, wherein the at least one or more protrusions extending from the body comprise two semi-circular plate-like structures located on opposing sides of the body.

6. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of the body and the basal plate are such that the nozzle will remain in place in a caulking gun when the nozzle is placed over the integral nozzle of a standard sealant tube and when the nozzle and such adjoined sealant tube are loaded in a caulking gun.

7. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein the angled portion of the nozzle is angled from the long axis of the body by an angle between 1 and 100 degrees.

8. The nozzle of claim 7 wherein the angled portion of the nozzle is angled from the long axis of the body by an angle selected from a group consisting of the following:

15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees.