GB2619508A

GB2619508A - Filler plug, filling system, and method of filling a hole

Info

Publication number: GB2619508A
Application number: GB2208259.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ward Dean
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-06-06
Filing date: 2022-06-06
Publication date: 2023-12-13
Also published as: GB202208259D0

Abstract

A filler plug 10 for filling holes in plasterboard, solid plastered walls, solid plastered surfaces, or woodwork has a plug body 14 having an outer hole-engaging surface which at least in part tapers towards an insertable end 18. There is a contact surface 16 at an end of the plug body 14 distal to the insertable end 18, and via which the plug body 14 can be urged into a hole 12 to be filled. The filler plug 10 is formed from a wooden material to allow for deformation of the outer hole-engaging surface upon insertion into the said hole 12 to be filled in plasterboard, a solid plastered wall, a solid plastered surface, or woodwork.

Description

Filler Plug, Filling System, and Method of Filling a Hole The present invention relates to a filler plug, more specifically but not necessarily exclusively for filling holes in plasterboard, solid plastered walls, solid plastered surfaces, or woodwork. The invention also relates to a filling system utilising said filler plug. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of filling a hole in a decorating surface and therefore increasing the speed of decorating a surface.

Wall plugs, commonly known as Rawlplugs (RTM), are plastic plugs that are inserted into holes to allow screws to be fitted to hold up shelves and other supported furniture. Once the shelves and other supported furniture have been taken down, significant holes are left by the wall plugs. A paste is used to fill the holes, commonly known as filler.

Holes need to be filled before painting or modifying the decorating surface. If the holes are deep, then the filler shrinks into the hole whilst drying and thus the hole needs to filled again.

The drying process can take at least four hours, followed by sanding after another four hours once the filler is dry. This process takes a considerable amount of time and renders the overall decorating process inefficient.

Plasterboard has a void behind it, therefore after the filler has been applied to the holes, it can push through the extent of the plasterboard. The weight of the water in the filler causes the filler to sag, leaving a bulge in the filler and thus a bulge in the decorating surface. Generally, decorators have to use cumbersome 50mm filler knives to apply the filler which results in excess filler to be sanded down, wasting resources, and increasing the time of the decorating process.

The present invention aims to make decorating a surface more efficient, specifically by shortening the time taken to fill and paint over holes in the decorating surface.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a filler plug for filling holes in plasterboard, solid plastered walls, solid plastered surfaces, or woodwork, the filler plug comprising: a plug body having an outer hole-engaging surface which at least in part tapers towards an insertable end thereof; and a contact surface at an end of the plug body distal to the insertable end, and via which the plug body can be urged into a hole to be filled; the filler plug being formed from a wooden material to allow for deformation of the outer hole-engaging surface upon insertion into the said hole to be filled in plasterboard, a solid plastered wall, a solid plastered surface, or woodwork.

The filler plug according to the present invention is made of a wooden material, preferably balsa wood, and more preferably hard grade balsa wood, which has a suitable density for inserting into plasterboard, plaster and/or woodwork and deforming to the shape of the hole in the process. Thus, the filler plug is easily sanded down and is unnoticeable once it has been painted over, reducing the time for decorating a surface in comparison to more dense timber which cannot be sanded down as effectively.

Such a filler plug avoids the requirement for utilising filler when filling a hole in the wall, ceiling, or various pieces of woodwork. The filler plugs of the present invention can also be used to fill holes left by screws or other fixings, for example in a door hinge. Holes can be plugged using the filler plug, and a screw can be fixed into the filler plug itself resulting in a secure fitting.

Preferably the filler plug is formed of balsa wood having a density of at least 64 kg/m3.

Advantageously the filler plug is preferably formed of balsa wood having a density of at least kg/m3. Preferably the filler plug is formed of balsa wood having a density of at least 152 kg/m3. Anything less than a minimum density is not ideal for the use of filling holes as the lower density wood is very soft and therefore difficult to use.

Most preferably, the filler plug may be formed from a hard grade balsa wood, such as that having a density of approximately 200 kg/m3. This density has been found to be sufficiently soft to be able to perform the invention, whilst having sufficient hardness to be able to be readily manufactured.

Optionally, the plug body may taper from the contact surface to an opposite end of the plug body. The plug body being tapered is advantageous because this prevents the filler plug from being pushed though the extent of the wall or ceiling and keeps the flush surface in contact with the decorating surface. The tapered body also allows for efficient urging of the plug body into the hole as it is deformed.

Preferably the plug body is devoid of a step. This is advantageous because the plug body of the filler plug can deform to the shape of the hole and therefore fill the hole substantially. There is also no risk of a stepped portion snagging on the hole during insertion and thus possibly increasing the hole dimension.

Advantageously, the filler plug may have a tapering gradient of the plug body. This tapering gradient is approximately in a range of 7:1 to 3:1 ratio, and more preferably around a 5:1 ratio, of the maximum length of the plug body to the maximum width of the contact surface. This ratio is advantageous as it allows for the efficient insertion of the plug body sufficiently far enough into the hole in order to fill the hole.

Advantageously, the plug body has a length in the range of 12.5 mm and 125 mm. Preferably, the plug body has a length in the range of 20mm to 25mm. The length is defined as the longest distance along the plug body between the contact surface and the insertable end of the filler plug. This variation in length is advantageous because due to the tapering nature of the filler plug, there a possibility for a number of filler plugs being produced from one filler plug. As the filler plug may be sawed once it has been inserted into the wall, the remaining length of the filler plug can be used again as another filler plug with a larger width. Thus, a longer filler plug will have a larger variation of filler plug widths able to fill holes of varying width.

Preferably, the contact surface may be convex. The contact surface being convex allows for a suitable surface for a hammer and/or hand to push the filler plug into the hole in the decorating surface. The convex shape also allows for a suitable surface for sanding of the contact surface to ensure a suitable flush alignment with the decorating surface.

Optionally, the contact surface preferably has a width between 4mm and 50mm. The variation in contact surface width allows the filler plug to fill various hole sizes depending on the circumstance.

Preferably, the contact surface may be circular or substantially circular or square or substantially square. Advantageously, the shape of the contact surface efficiently fills a hole according to the specific shape of the hole entrance, without leaving any gaps between the contact surface and the decorating surface. Therefore, if the hole is substantially square in shape, then one can use the appropriate filler plug with a square or substantially square contact surface.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a filling system for filling holes in plasterboard, solid plastered walls, solid plastered surfaces, or woodwork, the filling system comprising: a plurality of filler plugs, each filler plug of the plurality of filler plugs comprising: a plug body having an outer hole-engaging surface which at least in part tapers towards an insertable end; a contact surface at an end of the plug body distal to the insertable end, and via which the plug body can be urged into a hole to be filled; each filler plug of the plurality of filler plugs being formed from a wooden material to allow for deformation of the outer hole-engaging surface upon insertion into the said hole in plasterboard, a solid plastered wall, a solid plastered surface, or woodwork; wherein the plurality of filler plugs comprises a first subset of filler plugs and a second subset of filler plugs having a different shape and/or dimension to the first subset of filler plugs to allow holes of different shapes and/or sizes to be filled.

Such a filling system containing a plurality of filler plugs is advantageous because the filler plug is not present in only one specific dimension to be used in the decorating process. Varying dimensions of filler plugs can be used to fill various sized holes in the filling system.

Preferably, each of the plurality of filler plugs may be a filler plug in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of filling a hole in a decorating surface being plasterboard, a solid surface plastered wall, a solid plastered surface, or woodwork, the method comprising the steps of: a] inserting a filler plug into the hole, the filler plug comprising a plug body having an outer hole-engaging surface which at least in part tapers towards an insertable end thereof, the filler plug being formed from a wooden material which is less dense than the decorating surface having the hole to be filled; b] urging the filler plug into the hole so that the outer hole-engaging surface is deformed to the shape of the hole; and c] sanding the filler plug so that the filler plug forms a flush surface with the decorating surface.

Preferably, each of the filler plugs may be filler plugs in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Advantageously, said filler plug may be inserted into the hole using the insertable end as a leading end. The presence of an insertable end provides the user with a preferable orientation for the insertion of the filler plug into the hole in the decorating surface.

Preferably, during step b] the filler plug may be urged into the hole by pushing or hitting the contact surface of the filler plug. Depending on the material of the decorating surface, the filler plug can be pushed into the hole due to its low density. The urging of the filler plug into the hole means that the hole can be substantially filled, and the filler plug subsequently sawed and/or sanded down to be flush with the decorating surface.

Advantageously during step c] the contact surface is preferably sanded to be flush with the decorating surface. The sanding of the contact surface is advantageous because this creates a uniform surface between the decorating surface and the filler plug and provides the decorator with a continuous surface to amend.

Preferably, the method may further comprise a step d] subsequent to step c] of preferably painting the flush surface. This creates a decorating surface where the inserted filler plug is essentially unnoticeable, and the decorator can continue with decorating the surface whichever way they see fit.

Optionally, the method may further comprise a step e] subsequent to step c] of preferably inserting a fixing into the filler plug. If the decorator would like to insert a certain fixing into the area, for example a nail or a screw, where a hole is located which is substantially larger than the fixing itself, then the filler plug can be used to fill the hole and provides a support for the fixing to be inserted into.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the first embodiment of a filler plug in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a filling system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, comprising a plurality of filler plugs in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the filler plugs having different dimensions and having been inserted into holes in a plasterboard wall; Figure 3 is a front view of the filler system of Figure 2 following the filler plugs having been sanded; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a filler plug in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 5 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a filler plug in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 6 is an isometric view of the filler plug of Figure 5 following rotation by 45 degrees; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a filler plug in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and Figure 8 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a method for inserting and modifying a filler plug into a hole in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is a first embodiment of a filler plug 10 suitable for filling holes 12, as illustrated in Figure 2, in plasterboard, solid plastered walls, solid plastered surfaces, or woodwork. The filler plug comprises a plug body 14 and a contact surface 16.

The filler plug 10 is comprised of a wooden material; preferably balsa wood or wood of a similar density. The plug body 14 here has a length in the range of 12.5mm and 125mm, for example 100mm. Preferably, the plug body 14 has a length in the range of 20mm to 25mm.The contact surface 16 has a width between 4mm and 50mm, for example 25mm. It will be appreciated that a plurality of different widths, however, may greatly increase the options available to a decorator.

The plug body 14 of the first embodiment is preferably a deformable elongate member which has an outwardly-facing deforrnable surface 15 which at least in part tapers towards an insertable end 18 thereof. The plug body 14 can also be provided a rigid elongate member which exactly plugs the hole; however, the utilisation of a wooden material which is less dense than the decorating surface the filler plug 10 is being inserted into is preferred. The wooden material being less dense than the decorating surface allows the outwardly-facing deformable surface 15 of the plug body 14 to deform to the shape of the hole 12.

To achieve the necessary deformability, the outwardly-facing deformable surface 15 of the plug body 14 has a density of approximately 200 kg/m3. This would make the balsa wood a hard grade balsa wood, which is still suitable for use in the invention, whilst still being capable of being easily manufactured. The balsa wood preferably has a density of at least 64kg/m3, preferably being formed of balsa wood having a density of at least 120 kg/m3, corresponding with balsa wood grades light, light-medium, and medium and more preferably, formed of balsa wood having a density of at least 152 kg/m3.

The insertable end 18 of the first embodiment is preferably a rounded dome at the opposite end of the plug body 14 to the contact surface 16. This allows for insertion of the filler plug 10 into a hole 12 in the decorating surface. The insertable end 18 is also deformable into the hole 12 The contact surface 16 of the first embodiment is preferably a circular face distal to the insertable end 18 of the plug body 14 and is deformable to the hole 12. The contact surface 16 is preferably convex but could also be provided as a flat surface.

The corresponding shape of the plug body 14 has a circular cross section along its entire longitudinal extent. The filler plug 10 in this embodiment has a tapering gradient from a circular contact surface 16 to a rounded insertable end 18, resulting in a filler plug 10 with a plug body 14 which is able to be inserted into and suitably fill a hole 12 in a decorating surface. A tapering gradient of the plug body 14 is approximately in a range of 7:1 to 3:1 ratio, and more preferably around a 5:1 ratio, of the maximum length of the plug body 14 to the maximum width of the contact surface 16. This creates a suitably elongate plug body 14 which should span the depth of a hole, whilst also provided a range of cross-sectional widths to fill holes of different dimensions.

Figure 2 shows a filling system 20 with a plurality of filler plugs 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f with different dimensions which have been inserted into holes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e of varying sizes in a plasterboard wall. For example, various filler plugs 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f are shown to fill holes12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e with widths of: 12mm, lOmm, 8mm, 7mm and 6mm, respectively. Depending on the shape of the respective holes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, multiple filler plugs 10a, 10f can be used to fill a hole 12a. This is shown by two filler plugs 10a, 10f filling a single hole 12a of approximately 12 mm in Figure 2. One filler plug 10a with a larger circular cross section is used along with a smaller filler plug 10f with a square cross section to fill polygonal hole 12a substantially. By utilising filler plugs 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f of differing dimensions and shapes, holes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12c, 12d, 12e of unusual shape and cross-section can be filled using the filling system 20. It is to be noted that any combination of filler plugs 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f can be used to fill any unusually shaped hole 12a, 12b, 12c, 12c, 12d, 12e.

To fill the holes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, the user selects their filler plugs 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and inserts the relevant insertable ends 18 into the hole 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e. The contact surface 16 is then pushed, hit, or otherwise urged into the hole 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e such that the outwardly-facing deformable surface 15 of the plug body 14 deforms to the shape of the hole 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e upon contact therewith.

Figure 3 shows the result of sawing and/or sanding the plug body 14 of the filler plug 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f to form a flush surface 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e with the decorating surface 24, effectively replacing the contact surface 16 as the outermost part of the filler plug 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f in each case. The flush surface 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e and decorating surface 24 are subsequently painted over. The flush surface 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e is not limited to being a flat surface but can also be a curved flush surface 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e for example when a hole 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e is filled along a curved wall or on the edge of a skirting board.

Figure 3 also illustrates small subsidiary holes 26 between the flush surface 22a and the decorating surface 24 after the filling and sanding is completed. These are caused by inadequate deformation of the filler plugs 10a, 10f to the shape of the irregularly shaped hole 12a, which leaves a small subsidiary hole 26 in the decorating surface 24. Due to the surface tension of the paint, it is possible for the subsidiary holes 26 to be covered by paint.

The filler plugs 10a are particularly useful for filling holes left by wall plugs in walls, since the correct size of filler plug 10a can be inserted directly into the hole left by the removed wall plug, and a screw can then be inserted into the filler plug 10a. Whatever was installed via the wall plug need not then be repositioned, since the filler plug 10a is in the exact same position.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a filler plug 110 with a plug body 114, contact surface 116 and insertable end 118.

The filler plug 110 is comprised of a wooden material; preferably balsa wood or wood of a similar density.

The plug body 114 of the second embodiment is preferably a deformable elongate member which in part tapers towards the insertable end 118. The plug body 114 can also be a rigid elongate member however the utilisation of a wooden material which is less dense than the decorating surface 24 the filler plug 110 is being inserted into is preferred. The wooden material being less dense than the decorating surface 24 allows the plug body 114 to deform to the shape of the hole 12.

The insertable end 118 of the second embodiment here comprises a square or otherwise rectilinear face at the opposite end of the plug body 114 to the contact surface 116. This allows for insertion of the second embodiment of the filler plug 110 into a squarer hole 12 in a decorating surface 24 than the filler plug 10 of the first embodiment.

The contact surface 116 of the second embodiment here thus comprises a square face distal to the insertable end 118 of the plug body 114. The filler plug 110 thus has the shape of a frusto-pyramid. As both the insertable end 118 and the contact surface 116 are at least in part square faces, the distinguishing factor between both is that the contact surface 116 has a larger width compared to the insertable end 118. The use of a square face allows for this embodiment of the filler plug 110 to be able to fill a substantially square hole 12. Both the insertable end 118 and the contact surface 116 can also be substantially convex.

The corresponding shape of the plug body 114 has a square cross section along its entire longitudinal extent. The filler plug in 110 in this embodiment has a tapering gradient from a square or substantially square contact surface 116 to a square insertable end 118, resulting in a filler plug 110 with a plug body 114 which is able to be inserted into and suitably fill a hole 12 in a decorating surface 24.

Figures Sand 6 show a third embodiment of the filler plug 210 with a plug body 214, contact surface 216 and insertable end 218.

The filler plug 210 is comprised of a wooden material; preferably balsa wood or wood of a similar density.

The plug body 214 of the third embodiment is preferably a deformable elongate member which in part tapers towards the insertable end 218. The plug body 214 can also be a rigid elongate member however the utilisation of a wooden material which is less dense than the decorating surface 24 the filler plug 214 is being inserted into is preferred. The wooden material being less dense than the decorating surface 24 allows the plug body 214 to deform to the shape of the hole 12.

The insertable end 218 of the third embodiment is preferably a square face at the opposite end of the plug body 214 to the contact surface 216. This allows for insertion of the third embodiment of the filler plug 210 into a hole 12 in the decorating surface 24.

The contact surface 216 is preferably a circular face distal to the insertable end 218 of the plug body 214. Both the insertable end 218 and the contact surface 216 can also be substantially convex.

The filler plug in 210 in this embodiment has a tapering gradient from a circular or substantially circular contact surface 216 to a square insertable end 218. This results in a filler plug 210 that is able to be inserted into hole 12 and said plug body 214 deforming to the dimensions of the hole 12 as the plug body 214 is urged further into the hole 12 in the decorating surface 24.

Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the filler plug 310 with a plug body 314, contact surface 316 and insertable end 318.

The filler plug 310 is comprised of a wooden material; preferably balsa wood or wood of a similar density to balsa wood.

The plug body 314 of the fourth embodiment is preferably a deformable elongate member which in part tapers towards the insertable end 318. The plug body 314 can also be a rigid elongate member however the utilisation of a wooden material which is less dense than the decorating surface 24 the filler plug 310 is being inserted into is preferred. The wooden material being less dense than the decorating surface 24 allows the plug body 314 to deform to the shape of the hole 12.

The insertable end 318 is preferably a domed insertable end 318 at the opposite end of the plug body 314 to the contact surface 316. This allows for insertion of the fourth embodiment of the filler plug 310 into a hole 12 in the decorating surface 24.

The contact surface 316 is preferably a square face distal to the insertable end 318 of the plug body 314. Both the insertable end 318 and the contact surface 316 can also be substantially convex The filler plug 310 in this embodiment has a tapering gradient from a square or substantially square contact surface 316 to a domed insertable end 318. This results in a filler plug 310 that is able to be inserted into a hole 12 and said plug body 314 deforming to the dimensions of the hole 12 as the plug body 314 is urged further into the hole 12 in the decorating surface 24.

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method, indicated globally at 400, for inserting a filler plug 10; 110; 210; 310 into a hole, and then subsequently modifying said filler plug 10; 110; 210; 310 to match the decorating surface 24.

The filler plug 10; 110; 210; 310 is inserted into a hole, at step S401, and subsequently the filler plug 10; 110; 210; 310 is pushed or hit further into the hole 12, at step S402. The pushing and/or hitting is preferably but not limited to, the use of the decorator's hand or finger, and if further force is required then a harder implement such as a hammer can be utilised.

The filler plug 10; 110; 210; 310 is then subsequently sanded and/or sawed to form a flush surface with the decorating surface 24, at step S403. It is expected that there is no need to cut or saw off a projecting end of the filler plug 10; 110; 210; 310, though this may be performed first. If the filler plug 10; 110; 210; 310 projects only slightly out of the hole, then the only action that should be required is the use of a sanding implement.

The flush surface 22 can be optionally painted over, at step S404, and/or a fixing may be inserted, at step S405, into the filler plug 10; 110; 210; 310. The insertion of a fixing could, of course, be performed after painting, and thus the painting and fixing mounting steps are not mutually exclusive to one another.

It will be appreciated that the filler plug of the present invention could be formed from a composite material, provided that the outwardly-facing deformable surface was sufficiently soft to allow for deformation. For instance, there could be a metal, plastic, or hardwood core.

Whether this would be practicable is unclear, but this is anticipated within the present

disclosure.

It is therefore possible to provide a filler plug which allows the user to quickly and easily fill holes during a decorating process which avoids the need for filler, without leaving clear and obvious evidence of the fill. The provision of many different filler plugs of different shapes and sizes provides the decorator with many options for filling, which may allow for irregularly-shaped holes to be filled.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

Claims 1 A filler plug for filling holes in plasterboard, solid plastered walls, solid plastered surfaces, or woodwork, the filler plug comprising: a plug body having an outer hole-engaging surface which at least in part tapers towards an insertable end thereof; and a contact surface at an end of the plug body distal to the insertable end, and via which the plug body can be urged into a hole to be filled; the filler plug being formed from a wooden material to allow for deformation of the outer hole-engaging surface upon insertion into the said hole to be filled in plasterboard, a solid plastered wall, a solid plastered surface, or woodwork.
2. A filler plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filler plug is formed of balsa wood having a density of at least 64 kg/m3.
3. A filler plug as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filler plug is formed of balsa wood having a density of at least 120 kg/m'.
4. A filler plug as claimed in claim 3, wherein the filler plug is formed of balsa wood having a density of at least 152 kg/m'.
5. A filler plug as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filler plug is formed from a hard grade balsa wood.
6. A filler plug as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hard grade balsa wood has a density of approximately 200 kg/m3.
7. A filler plug as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug body tapers from the contact surface to an opposite end of the plug body.
8. A filler plug as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug body is devoid of a step.
9. A filler plug as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a tapering gradient of the plug body is in a range of 7:1 to 3:1 ratio of the maximum length of the plug body to the maximum width of the contact surface.
10. A filler plug as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tapering gradient of the plug body is approximately 5:1 ratio of the maximum length of the plug body to the maximum width of the contact surface.
11. A filler plug as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug body has a length in the range of 12.5mm and 125mm.
12. A filler plug as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plug body has a length in the range of 20mm to 25mm.
13. A filler plug as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface is convex.
14. A filler plug as claimed in in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface has a width between 4mm and 50mm.
15. A filler plug as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface is circular or substantially circular or square or substantially square.
16 A filling system for filling holes in plasterboard, solid plastered walls, solid plastered surfaces, or woodwork, the filling system comprising: a plurality of filler plugs, each filler plug of the plurality of filler plugs comprising: a plug body having an outer hole-engaging surface which at least in part tapers towards an insertable end; a contact surface at an end of the plug body distal to the insertable end, and via which the plug body can be urged into a hole to be filled; each filler plug of the plurality of filler plugs being formed from a wooden material to allow for deformation of the outer hole-engaging surface upon insertion into the said hole in plasterboard, a solid plastered wall, a solid plastered surface, or woodwork; wherein the plurality of filler plugs comprises a first subset of filler plugs and a second subset of filler plugs having a different shape and/or dimension to the first subset of filler plugs to allow holes of different shapes and/or sizes to be filled.
17. A filling system for filling holes in plasterboard as claimed in claim 16, wherein the plurality of filler plugs comprises filler plugs as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15.
18. A method of filling a hole in a decorating surface being plasterboard, a solid surface plastered wall, a solid plastered surface, or woodwork, the method comprising the steps of: a] inserting a filler plug into the hole, the filler plug comprising a plug body having an outer hole-engaging surface which at least in part tapers towards an insertable end thereof, the filler plug being formed from a wooden material which is less dense than the decorating surface having the hole to be filled; b] urging the filler plug into the hole so that the outer hole-engaging surface is deformed to the shape of the hole; and c] sanding the filler plug so that the filler plug forms a flush surface with the decorating surface.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the filler plugs are filler plugs as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 15.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, wherein said filler plug is inserted into the hole using the insertable end as a leading end.
21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein during step b] the filler plug is urged into the hole by pushing or hitting the contact surface of the filler plug.
22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein during step c] the contact surface is sanded to be flush with the decorating surface.
23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22, further comprising a step d] subsequent to step c] of painting the flush surface.
24. A method of filling a hole in a decorating surface as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23, further comprising a step e] subsequent to step c] of inserting a fixing into the filler plug.