GB2536875A

GB2536875A - A sealant smoothing device

Info

Publication number: GB2536875A
Application number: GB1504795.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hanif Khan Mohamed
Original assignee: BIRMINGHAM INNOVATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: BIRMINGHAM INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-20
Filing date: 2015-03-20
Publication date: 2016-10-05
Also published as: GB201504795D0

Abstract

The sealant smoothing device 10 comprises a first head 112 comprising a first profiled portion 114 for shaping a bead of sealant 6, and a first abutment portion 116 for abutting the first and/or second surfaces 2, 6 the sealant adjoins, and a first arm 118 which carries the head, wherein the arm flexes in use. The arm may have a portion which is narrower and thinner than the head, and a ridged part to aid flexing. The device may be formed integrally of uniform material. The head may be sufficiently rigid that it does not flex during use. The device may have second, third and fourth heads 212, 312, 412 and arms 218, 318, 418 having the same features as the first arm and head. Each profiled portion may be a different shape, and each head may be equally spaced around a central axis C. Also claimed is a set including two or more of the devices.

Description

Title: A sealant smoothing device

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a sealant smoothing device, and more specifically to a sealant smoothing device for shaping a bead of sealant that adjoins a first and a second surface, and a sealant smoother set including a sealant smoothing 10 device.

Using a sealant (i.e. caulking) is well known. Typically sealant is applied to a join between two surfaces in order to provide a waterproof seal and/or attractive join between the surfaces. For example, waterproof sealant (often silicon based) is usually applied to the join between a shower tray and a tiled wall in order to provide a waterproof surface that stops water from leaking between the shower tray and the tiled wall. Often an anti-fungal waterproof sealant is used to provide a waterproof seal and protect against the growth of mould in the humid conditions of the shower.

Typically, sealant is applied with a sealant gun, which applies a continuous bead of sealant to the join. The bead of sealant remains wet and pliable for a short time after application. In order to get a good seal/finish, a finger or tool is dragged over the surface of the sealant, while the sealant is wet. This pushes the sealant towards the join and allows a smooth surface to be achieved.

There are many drawbacks with using a finger to smooth out the surface of the sealant. In order to achieve a professional smooth finish, a constant pressure needs to be applied to the sealant along the entire length of the join. Often an amateur sealant user does not have the skills or experience to achieve the desired result (i.e. a smooth even surface across the entire join). Additionally, a finger can only reliably provide one profile on the surface of the sealant, which corresponds to the curvature of the fingertip used. A straight edge or convex shaped sealant surface is difficult to achieve with a fingertip.

Tools have been developed to aid the sealant user in achieving the desired finish. Typically, such tools include a flexible head (e.g. which may be formed of rubber) which forces the sealant into the join while removing any excess.

However, tools are often bulky and can be difficult to manoeuvre and use in an area/join where space is limited. Also since the head is made of a flexible material, too much pressure applied to the tool can result in a poor finish on the surface of the sealant. Another disadvantage of using known tools is that the edge of the head (which contacts the sealant during use) can deteriorate relatively quickly because the tool is manufactured of a relatively soft material. Thus, the edge can become irregularly shaped with use. This can also result in a poor surface finish on the sealant.

The current invention seeks to ameliorate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

According to an aspect of the present invention, we provide a sealant smoothing device configured to shape a bead of sealant that adjoins a first and a second surface, the device including: a first head comprising: a first profiled portion for shaping the bead of sealant; and a first abutment portion configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces so that the first profiled portion is contactable with the bead of sealant adjoining the first and second surfaces; a first arm which carries the first head, wherein the first arm is configured to flex during normal use, such that the shaping of the bead of sealant is substantially consistent when a force applied by the first head on the first and/or second surface varied.

The first arm may include a narrow portion which is narrower than at least part of the first head.

The device may be made of a substantially uniform material.

The device may be formed integrally.

The first head may be sufficiently rigid such that it does not generally flex during normal use.

The first arm may be thinner than at least a part of the first head.

The first arm may have a ridged part to aid flexing.

The device may include: a second head which may comprise a second profiled portion for shaping the bead of sealant; and may have a second abutment portion that may be configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces so that the second profiled portion may be contactable with the bead of sealant adjoining the first and second surfaces, and the device may have a second arm which may carry the second head, wherein the second arm may be configured to flex during normal use, such that the shaping of the bead of sealant may be substantially consistent when a force applied by the second head on the first and/or second surface is varied.

The device may include: a third head, which may comprise a third profiled portion for shaping the bead of sealant; and may have a third abutment portion that may be configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces so that the third profiled portion may be contactable with the bead of sealant adjoining the first and second surfaces, and the device may have a third arm which may carry the third head, wherein the third arm may be configured to flex during normal use, such that the shaping of the bead of sealant may be substantially consistent when a force applied by the third head on the first and/or second surface is varied.

The device may include: a fourth head, which may comprise a fourth profiled portion for shaping the bead of sealant; and may have a fourth abutment portion that may be configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces so that the fourth profiled portion may be contactable with the bead of sealant adjoining the first and second surfaces, and the device may have a fourth arm which may carry the fourth head, wherein the fourth arm may be configured to flex during normal use, such that the shaping of the bead of sealant may be substantially consistent when a force applied by the fourth head on the first and/or second surface is varied.

Each profiled portion may be a different shape.

Each arm may be narrowed with respect to a widest part of each head.

The first arm may be substantially aligned with or substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second arm.

Each head may be spaced equally around a central axis.

According to a further aspect of the invention, we provide a sealant smoother set which may include two or more devices in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a sealant smoothing device, Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a sealant smoothing device, and Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a sealant smoothing device.

With reference to the figures, embodiments of the invention include a sealant smoothing device 10 which is configured to shape a bead of sealant 6 that adjoins a first and a second surface 2, 4. Typically, the first surface 2 and the second surface 4 are substantially perpendicular to one another and a bead of sealant is applied to the join between the first and the second surfaces 2, 4. It should be appreciated that the first and second surfaces 2, 4 do not have to be perpendicular.

The device 10 includes a first head 112 and a first arm 118. The first head 112 includes a first profiled portion 114 and a first abutment portion 116. The first profiled portion 114 is for shaping the bead of sealant 6. The first profiled portion 114 may have a straight edge, a concave edge or a convex edge, or any other shape which is required.

The first abutment portion 116 is configured to abut the first surface 2 and/or the second surface 4, so that the first profiled portion 114 is contactable with the bead of sealant 6 which adjoins the first and second surfaces 2,4. In some embodiments (for example, figures 1 to 3), the first abutment portion 116 lies either side of the first profiled portion 114. In some embodiments, the first abutment portion 116 is configured, relative to the location of the first profiled portion 114, to achieve a desired depth of sealant in the join when the first abutment portion abuts the first and/or second surfaces 2, 4 adjacent the join.

The first arm 118 carries the first head 112, and is configured to flex during normal use. This flexing may be such that the first head 112 flexes in a direction opposite to the direction of travel when in use -i.e. the flexing may allow the first head 112 to drag behind a part of the first arm 118 which opposes the first head 112. This allows the shaping of the bead of sealant to be substantially consistent when the force applied by the first head 112 on the first and/or second surface 2, 4 is varied by the sealant user during use.

In some embodiments (such as figures 1 to 3), the first head 112 and the first arm 118 are formed in substantially the same plane. In some embodiments, the first arm 118 flexes such that the first head 112 moves away from this plane.

Flexing may comprise the first arm 118 deforming such that the first head 112 moves out of the plane. The flexing of the first arm 118 damps/absorbs excess force exerted on the device 10 by a sealant user during use. This allows a substantially even force to be exerted on the sealant 6 (hence, allowing consistent shaping).

In normal use, the bead of sealant 6 is applied to the join between the first surface 2 and the second surface 4, with a sealant gun (not shown). While the sealant is still wet, the bead of sealant may be manipulated further towards the join between the first and second surface 2, 4 by use of the device 10.

Accordingly, the device 10 may be positioned with the first profiled portion 114 over the bead of sealant 6 and the first abutment portion 116 abutting the first surface 2 and/or the second surface 4. The device 10 may then be moved along the bead of sealant 6 in a substantially continuous motion such that an outer surface of the sealant 6 is shaped according to the shape of the first profiled portion 114. For example, a concave shaped first profiled portion 114 will result in the outer surface of the bead of sealant 6 being a convex shape, or a straight angled first profiled portion 114 will result in a corresponding straight outer surface of the bead of sealant 6. The first profiled portion 114 may press the bead of sealant further into the join and excess sealant material may be removed by the first profiled portion 114.

In some embodiments (such as figures 1 to 3), there are two parts to the first abutment portion 116a,116b which are located either side of the first profiled portion 114. The two parts of the abutment portion 116a,116b may include respective abutment edges which are generally perpendicular to one another.

However, the first and second surfaces 2, 4 may not be perpendicular to one another. Hence, the two abutment edges of the first abutment portion 116a, 116b may be disposed at an angle other than perpendicular with respect to each other in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the first arm 118 has outer edges 120 which define at least part of the first arm 118 and which connect to the abutment edges of the first abutment member 116. The outer edges 120 may be generally concave in shape.

In some embodiments (such as figures 1 to 3), the first arm 118 includes a narrow portion which is narrower than at least part of the first head 112 (in a cross-section through the plan of the first arm 118 and first head 112).

The narrow portion of the first arm 118 may provide the aforementioned flexing during normal use.

In some embodiments (such as figures 1 to 3), the narrow portion of the first arm 118 is substantially the entire first arm 118. In some embodiments the narrow portion of the first arm 118 is narrower than a widest part of the first head 112.

In some embodiments, however, the desired flexing of the device 10 may be achieved in different ways. For example, the first arm 118 may include a thin portion which is thinner than at least a part of the first head 112 (in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the device 10) -i.e. the first arm 118 may have a smaller depth than the first head 112.

In some embodiments, one or more ridges may be formed in the first arm 118 in a generally perpendicular orientation to a length of the first arm 118 (e.g. perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the A of the first arm 118 which intersects the first profiled portion 114.

In some embodiments, the device 10 may be made of a substantially uniform material. For example, the device 10 may be made of a plastics material (more specifically, the device 10 may be made of a thermoplastic) which provides sufficient flexing in the first arm 118. In some embodiments, the device 10 is manufactured integrally. In other words, the device 10 may be manufactured in a single moulding operation.

In some embodiments, the first head 112 may be sufficiently rigid such that it does not flex during normal use. For example, the first profiled portion 114 may include a shaping edge 122 that directly contacts the sealant 6 during use. The shaping edge 122 may be configured such that it does not flex substantially during normal use. As will be appreciated, however, the first head 112 (including the material defining the shaping edge 122) may be formed from the same material as the first arm 118.

In some embodiments (such as figures 1 to 3), the device 10 has more than one head. Examples are described below. It should be appreciated that the main characteristics of each head may be the same, and as such are provided with corresponding reference numerals. For example, all the features relating to the first head/first arm configurations have a reference beginning 1'. The analogous feature relating to a second head/second arm configuration have the same two-digit ending with a reference beginning '2', and so on for third and fourth configurations. It should be noted at all of the features mentioned above, in relation to the first head/first arm combination may be present in any other head/arm combination.

In some embodiments (such as figures 1 to 3), the device 10 includes a second head 212 and a second arm 218. The second head 212 comprises a second profiled portion 214 for shaping a bead of sealant 6. The second head also includes a second abutment portion 216 configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces 2, 4 so that the second profiled portion 214 is contactable with the bead of sealant 6 adjoining the first and second surfaces 2, 4. The second arm 218 carries the second head 212, and is configured to flex during normal use (as described above in relation to the first head 112).

In some embodiments (such as figure 1 to 3), the device 10 includes a third head 313 and a third arm 318. The third head 312 comprises a third profiled portion 314 for shaping a bead of sealant 6 and a third abutment portion 316 configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces 2, 4 so that the third profiled portion 314 is contactable with the bead of sealant 6 adjoining the first and second surfaces 2, 4. The third arm 318 carries the third head 312, and is configured to flex during normal use (again as described above) In some embodiments (such as figures 1 to 3), the device 10 includes a fourth head 412 and a fourth arm 418. The fourth head 412 comprises a fourth profiled portion 414 for shaping a bead of sealant 6 and a fourth abutment portion 416 configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces 2, 4 so that the fourth profiled portion 414 is contactable with the bead of sealant 6 adjoining the first and second surfaces 2, 4. The fourth arm 418 carries the fourth head 412, and is configured to flex during normal use (as above).

In some embodiments (such as figures 1 to 3), the second, third and fourth fourth profiled portions 214, 314, 414 may be shaped differently to the first profiled portion 114. This allows a sealant user to choose which shape is most appropriate for the sealant that has been applied.

In some embodiments (as shown in the figures), the device 10 may be generally X-shaped. Each of the first to fourth arms 118, 218, 318, 418 forms a limb of the X-shape and the first to fourth heads 112, 212, 312, 412 are disposed at each end of their respective arm 118, 218, 318, 418. As such, the longitudinal axis A of the first arm 118 lies either generally aligned with or generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes A, B of the second to fourth arms 218, 318, 418. In some embodiments, the second, third and fourth arms 218, 318, 418 each have outer edges 220, 320, 420 which are generally concave in shape.

In some embodiments (as shown in the figures), the first to fourth heads 112, 212, 312, 412 are generally equally spaced about a central axis C. However, it should be appreciated that there may be fewer than four heads on the device 10. In this case, the two or three heads may be substantially equally spaced apart around the central axis C, and the respective arms angled appropriately (e.g. a three headed device, equally spaced, will have about 120° between the respective arms).

It should be appreciated that a device with two or more heads may not have 20 the heads spaced equally apart. For example, in a device with two heads, the first arm and the second arm may be perpendicular to one another.

In some embodiments, there are two or more arms 118, 218, 318, 418, which are connected by a central hub. The central hub may be formed from thicker material than the thin portion of one or more of the arms 118,218,318,418.

The central hub may, therefore, be configured to be held by the sealant user during operation.

In some embodiments, opposing edges 120, 220, 320, 420 of an arm 118, 30 218, 318, 418 may be asymmetrical. In some embodiments, the asymmetry and/or the configuration of the thin portion may cause the head 112, 212, 312, 412 to twist with respect to a part of the arm 118,218,318,418 during use. This twisting may assist in directing excess sealant removed by head 112, 212, 312, 412 away from the profiled portion 114, 214, 314, 414. This may reduce the risk of the removed material from being re-deposited at the join in an unintended manner.

The first arm 118 of the sealant smoothing device 10 is able to flex during use. This allows an uneven force applied by sealant user to be dissipated and maintain a substantially even force on the bead of sealant 6, and hence an better finish/seal on the surface of the sealant. In some embodiments of the sealant smoother device 6, the shaping edge 122 and/or first profiled portion 114 do not flex during normal use. This may also allow a better finish on the surface of the sealant. It may also reduce the speed of deterioration of the shaping edge 122 and/or first profiled portion 114.

In some embodiments of the device 10, the sealant user has a choice of profiled portions 114, 214, 314, 414. In some embodiments, the sealant smoothing device 10 may also be provided as part of a set. Both of the above allow the sealant user to have a greater choice of shape and/or profile to use on the bead of sealant 6. Additionally, the amount of material used for each device is relatively low.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sealant smoothing device configured to shape a bead of sealant that adjoins a first and a second surface, the device including: a first head comprising: a first profiled portion for shaping the bead of sealant; and a first abutment portion configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces so that the first profiled portion is contactable with the bead of sealant adjoining the first and second surfaces; a first arm which carries the first head, wherein the first arm is configured to flex during normal use, such that the shaping of the bead of sealant is substantially consistent when a force applied by the first head on the first and/or second surface varied.
2. A sealant smoother device according to claim 1 wherein the first arm includes a narrow portion which is narrower than at least part of the first head.
3. A sealant smoothing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is made of a substantially uniform material.
4. A sealant smoothing device according to claim 3, wherein the device is formed integrally.
5. A sealant smoothing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first head is sufficiently rigid such that it does not generally flex during normal use.
6. A sealant smoothing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm is thinner than at least a part of the first head.
7. A sealant smoothing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm has a ridged part to aid flexing.
8. A sealant smoothing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device includes: a second head which comprises a second profiled portion for shaping the bead of sealant; and a second abutment portion configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces so that the second profiled portion is contactable with the bead of sealant adjoining the first and second surfaces, and a second arm which carries the second head, wherein the second arm is configured to flex during normal use, such that the shaping of the bead of sealant is substantially consistent when a force applied by the second head on the first and/or second surface is varied.
9. A sealant smoothing according to claim 8, wherein the device includes: a third head, which comprises a third profiled portion for shaping the bead of sealant; and a third abutment portion configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces so that the third profiled portion is contactable with the bead of sealant adjoining the first and second surfaces, and a third arm which carries the third head, wherein the third arm is configured to flex during normal use, such that the shaping of the bead of sealant is substantially consistent when a force applied by the third head on the first and/or second surface is varied.
10. A sealant smoothing according to claim 9, wherein the device includes: a fourth head, which comprises a fourth profiled portion for shaping the bead of sealant; and a fourth abutment portion configured to abut the first and/or second surfaces so that the fourth profiled portion is contactable with the bead of sealant adjoining the first and second surfaces, and a fourth arm which carries the fourth head, wherein the fourth arm is configured to flex during normal use, such that the shaping of the bead of sealant is substantially consistent when a force applied by the fourth head on the first and/or second surface is varied.
11. A sealant smoothing device according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein each profiled portion is a different shape.
12. A sealant smoothing device according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein each arm is narrowed with respect to a widest part of each head.
13. A sealant smoothing device according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein a longitudinal axis of the first arm is substantially aligned with or substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second arm.
14. A sealant smoothing device according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein each head is spaced equally around a central axis.
15. A sealant smoothing set including two or more devices according to any of the preceding claims.
16. A sealant smoothing device as described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings
17. A sealant smoother set as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel feature or novel combination of features substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.