NZ555484A

NZ555484A - An applicator

Info

Publication number: NZ555484A
Application number: NZ55548407A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Steven John Bell; Gina Sue Bell
Original assignee: Steven John Bell; Gina Sue Bell
Priority date: 2007-05-30
Filing date: 2007-05-30
Publication date: 2008-11-28
Also published as: AU2008202417A1; AU2008202417B2

Abstract

An applicator to apply two uniform continuous beads of adhesive or plaster simultaneously to a wall and ceiling of a room, so that a cove or mould may be affixed to cover the join, is disclosed.

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 *10055927414* PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $250.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional No: 555484 Dated; 30 May 2007 AN APPLICATOR WE Steven John Bell and Gina Sue Bell, New Zealand Citizens of 114 Pillans Road, Tauranga, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: intellectual property OFFfCE OF N.Z. 3 0 MAY 2008 RECEIVED James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 AN APPLICATOR STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS 5 This application is based on the Provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application Number 555484, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to an applicator, and in a preferred embodiment an 10 apparatus to apply plaster to a surface of a building. BACKGROUND ART During the construction of buildings, plaster is applied to dry wall to provide a desirable aesthetic affect. In addition, the viscous properties of plaster are utilised to secure decorative 15 elements in place. These decorative building elements are commonly referred to as a cove or mould and reference herein will be made to a cove. A cove or mould is a strip of material of variable shape, size and cross section. They are used to cover transitions between non-parallel planes within a building i.e. the joins between a wall and a ceiling. Coves in general come in three sizes which 20 are referred to as 55, 75, or 95; these measurements being the length each arm of the cove extends against the wall to which it is applied. - The difficulty with using and securing these building elements in place is that it is often a labour intensive process. This fact dramatically increases the cost of building a house or redecorating. Further, the techniques commonly used to 25 secure a cove in place require considerable skill and strength. 1 3 o MAY 2008 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 At present, coving is secured to a building in sections. Plaster is first applied to a cove using a traditional scraper blade or plaster knife. Then, the worker is required to climb a ladder and manually press the cove into the desired position. As the cove is pressed against the respective surfaces, plaster is pressed against the wall 5 and cove thereby securing the cove in place. The worker must then climb down from the ladder and repeat this process for each individual section of the cove. It is possible to apply plaster to large sections of cove at a single time and secure the cove to a surface in one go. However, this requires the application of large 10 quantities of plaster to a cove at any one time thereby making it particularly heavy. This makes it difficult for one person to secure large or long sections of cove to a building. There are well known methods to apply plaster directly to a surface such that it will facilitate the securing of a cove to the surface. Examples of prior art used for the 15 application of plaster are discussed in detail below. PCT Application No. US93/04437 discloses a device for working viscous materials. This patent discloses a device which includes a handle, a reinforcing surface, and a working surface formed from flexible / pliable materials. The working surface is used to drag a viscous material across a surface in such a manner as to remove 20 excess material and facilitate a smooth or aesthetically pleasing appearance. United States Patent No. 6,240,591 discloses a cleaning and coving, drywall tool. This tool is formed from a disc with a concave recess over about 45 degrees of the arc of the disc. This tool is not designed for use with joins of precisely 180 degrees or 90 degrees but more at joins of between 90-180 degrees. 2 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 United States Patent No. 5,664,280 is an adjustable cove trowel which includes two laterally spaced, trapezoidal-shaped rigid wings, a handle, and an area of flexible material positioned between the rigid wings. The wings are moveable about the handle such that the diameter of the flexible material between the wings 5 can be adjusted to suit an individual situation. None of these inventions allow a user to easily apply plaster to a surface such that it will be suitable for securing a cove in place. Specifically, these inventions involve a scraping motion which applies a thin layer of plaster to the surface. Typically, these methods apply insufficient plaster to a surface to secure the cove in place. 10 While a user can attempt to apply a sufficient amount of plaster this tends to fall off or run down the wall meaning that results are not satisfactory and that building elements cannot be secured in place. All of the inventions disclosed by these patents require that a user must first climb a ladder so that plaster can be applied to the surfaces where a wall and roof meet. 15 Therefore, to secure a cove, a user may be required to climb up and down a ladder a significant number of times, lengthening the application time and frustrating the user. An alternative method includes a syringe containing plaster and a square "block" head attachment. This block head has two surfaces and a channel within each 20 surface. Plaster is forced through the block head and extruded through the channels and onto surfaces to which the block head is touching. The channels are approximately 8 millimetres wide and 6 millimetres deep and have a concave shape. It is this shape which produces undesirable results including that: 25 • Applied plaster will not stick to the respective surfaces and tends to "run" down the wall or fall from the ceiling. 3 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 • Screws or nails used to secure dry wall in place often strike the "block" head and hinder its movements. This means that plaster will continue to extrude through the head resulting in wastage of plaster. • The quantity of plaster applied is insufficient to secure a building element. 5 *An amount of plaster applied does not allow someone to reposition the cove to ensure correct alignment of adjacent sections. It is the shape of the channels used with this applicator which produce the undesirable results above. Firstly the ratio of the depth of the plaster applied to the area of plaster in contact with the wall is insufficient to support the plaster once 10 applied. Secondly, the concave shape of the channel applies plaster to the surface so that it has a substantially circular profile best described as a bead of plaster. This shape means that the plaster is able to run down the wall. It is possible to use plaster with a higher viscosity to overcome the first of these problems. However, this makes the plaster much harder to extrude through the 15 apparatus meaning that considerable strength is required to use this device. At present products currently available do not provide a solution to the second problem. Therefore it would be advantageous to have an applicator which allows the easy application of plaster to a surface, the use of which will not be hindered by objects 20 extending from the surface of a building. In addition, it is desirable that a 'clean" edge of plaster be created at the boundary of the cove and the surface to which it is secured. However, the prior art does not create such a boundary nor does it apply plaster to a surface in such a position that the plaster will essentially seal the boundary effecting a strong attachment of 25 the cove to the building. 4 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 Further, it is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any 5 reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common 10 general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the 15 listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process. It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 20 Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for the application of a substance to a surface, including 25 a contact surface, 5 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 a channel within the contact surface, a delivery system configured to deliver the substance to the channel, characterised in that the shape of the channel is configured to apply the substance to the surface such that the ratio of the depth to width of substance applied is 5 approximately 1:2. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing a building element to a surface, including (a) the step of applying a substance to the surface, (b) positioning the building element in a position relative to where it is to be 10 secured, (c) pressing the building element into the substance to effect securing the element to the surface, characterised in that the substance is applied to the surface so that the ratio of the depth to width of substance applied is approximately 1:2. 15 Throughout the body of this specification the term substance should be understood as referring to a compound which is to be applied to a surface. In a preferred embodiment, the substance may be an adhesive used to secure a building element. Most preferably, the substance may be plaster as known to one skilled in the art 20 and reference herein will be made to plaster as the substance. However, this should not be seen as limiting and any substance which is applied to a surface is suitable for use with the present invention. Throughout the body of the present specification the term building element should 6 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 be understood as meaning a decorative or functional part of a structure. Preferably, the building element may be a cove as known to one skilled in the art. However, the foregoing should not be seen as limiting and alternative building elements are envisaged. 5 Throughout the body of the present specification, the term surface should be understood as a reference to the surface of a structure. Preferably the surface may be the wall or internal surface of the roof of a building. However this should not be seen as limiting and surfaces other than a roof or wall are envisaged by the inventor. 10 Throughout the body of the present specification the term contact surface should be understood to refer to a surface of the applicator which is capable of being positioned adjacent to the surface to which a building element is to be secured. Preferably, the contact surface is adjacent to, and touches the surface to which the building element is to be secured. 15 In a preferred embodiment, the applicator has two contact surfaces and reference herein will be made to the applicator having two contact surfaces. However, this should not be seen as limiting. In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the contact surfaces may be variable. 20 In a particularly preferred embodiment the dimensions of the contact surfaces may correspond to the size of the building element being secured. 7 James & Weils Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 Preferably each contact surface may have dimensions of either 85mm by 140mm, 110mm by 140mm, or 105mm by 140mm. However the foregoing should not be seen as limiting and it is envisaged that the contact surfaces may have different dimensions. 5 In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the applicator may have a top surface from which the contact surfaces extend. Preferably the surface may have different dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, the top surface may have dimensions of either 85 mm by 140 mm, 110 mm by 140 mm, or 140 mm by 160 mm. 10 The longest of each pair of measurements above will be referred to herein as the length of the top surface or contact surface while the shortest of each pair will be referred to as the width of the top surface or contact surface. However, it is also envisaged that the top surface and contact surfaces may have other dimensions and the foregoing should not be seen as limiting. 15 In a particularly preferred embodiment, the contact surfaces extend from the top surface at an angle of approximately 135 degrees. However, the foregoing should not be seen as limiting and contact surfaces at angles other than approximately 135 degrees or an applicator which does not have a top surface are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 20 Throughout the body of the present specification the term channel should be understood to be a furrow within a contact surface of the applicator. In a preferred embodiment, the channel extends along the entire length of the contact surface and is open at each end. 8 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 Preferably, it is the shape of the channel which applies plaster to a surface such that the shape of applied plaster will assist in its retention once applied. In a particularly preferred embodiment the channel has a depth and width in a ratio of approximately 1:2. 5 Most preferably, the channel has a depth of 8 mm and a width of 15 mm. These dimensions provide the channel with a rectangular cross section. However, the foregoing should not be seen as limiting and a channel with other dimensions, is not open at both ends, or which does not run the entire length of the contact surface are envisaged as within the scope of the present invention. In 10 addition, an applicator which does not have channels or one whose channels is also considered to be within the scope of the invention described herein. The inventors have found that a channel with dimensions of approximately 1:2 helps to apply plaster to a surface in such a way that it will be retained on the surface. The aspect will be discussed in detail below. 15 Preferably, the top edge of the channel is 10 mm below the edge between the top surface and the contact surface. However, this should not be seen as limiting and the top edge of the channel could also be further or less than 10 mm from the top surface. It should be appreciated that the dimensions of the top surface and contact 20 surfaces, the angle between the top surface and contact surfaces, and the position of the channel in the contact surface, may all be varied. However, the key factor is that the relationship of these dimensions results in the device applying plaster to a building's surface which corresponds to the position at which cove is to be secured to the building. This aspect will become clear from the 25 following description. James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 Throughout the body of the present specification the term delivery system should be understood as being a reference to an arrangement to introduce plaster into the channel. 5 Preferably, the delivery system is an aperture within the channel which is in fluid communication with a reservoir of plaster. Most preferably, the system extrudes plaster into the channel. However, this should not be seen as limiting and other embodiments are envisaged including those where plaster is not extruded into the channel. 10 In a preferred embodiment, the plaster applicator may be a device which can be attached to a plaster syringe as known to one skilled in the art. In this embodiment, it is the plaster syringe which forms the reservoir of plaster to be extruded into the channel. Preferably, the applicator may have a connector to facilitate the connection 15 between the applicator and the plaster syringe. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector may be a ball and joint configuration. The joint is formed from a recess within the bottom surface of the applicator and has a series of members which running the opening of the recess. These members are capable of flexing when pressure is applied to them. 20 The ball of the connector is attached to a plaster syringe and is of size and shape such that it is capable of insertion into the recess of the applicator. As the ball is inserted into the recess, it presses against the flexible members causing them to flex and allow the ball to be substantially enclosed within the recess. Once the ball has passed the members, they return to their initial, un- 10 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 flexed position, securing the ball joint within the applicator's recess. However, the foregoing should not be seen as limiting and it is envisaged that the present invention could equally be used with other connectors including those which do not utilise a ball joint arrangement or flexible members. Alternatively, the 5 applicator may not have a connector and may be an integral part of a plaster syringe or other form of reservoir. Throughout the body of this specification reference will be made to the dimensions of the substance once applied to the surface. These dimensions are defined as: • The depth of the substance being the distance that the substance extends 10 from the surface to which it is applied; • The width of the substance being the distance between edges defining the depth of the substance; and • The length of the substance being the distance along the surface which the surface is applied. 15 The width and depth of the substance applied to the surface are predominantly determined by the dimensions of the channel and will be approximately the same as these dimensions. Throughout the remainder of the specification the width and depth of the applied plaster will be referred to as the profile of the applied plaster. 20 The length of the substance applied will depend on each situation where the present invention is used and how far the applicator head is moved along the surface. This will become clearer from the ensuring description. The following is a description of the method to apply plaster to adjacent surfaces using the preferred embodiment of the invention described herein. 11 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 When the preferred embodiment is in use, a user will prepare plaster by techniques known to one skilled in the art and this will be drawn into a syringe. The applicator will be secured onto the syringe by inserting the ball joint into the recess in the applicators bottom surface. The flexible members move to allow the ball to 5 substantially enter the recess and then return to their initial position thereby securing the applicator to the syringe. Then, the applicator is positioned such that the contact surfaces touch adjacent surfaces of a building, such as a wall and a roof. The user applies pressure to the syringe causing plaster to enter into the delivery system. Once in the delivery system, plaster is extruded through the apertures and into the channels. At this stage, the user starts to move the applicator laterally along the adjacent building surfaces. As this lateral movement occurs, the shape of the channels acts to shape the profile of the plaster so that it has dimensions which are substantially rectangular. The user continues to move the applicator across the adjacent building surfaces while forcing plaster through the delivery system and out of the channels. Once plaster has been applied to the entire length of surface to which a building element is to be secured the applicator is disengaged from the surface and put to one side. The user positions a building element in a position relative to where it is to be secured and presses this into the plaster. The plaster has been applied to the surface in such a manner that it will overlap each edge of the building element. With reference to the most common sizes of cove used, this will be approximately 55, 75 or 95 mm from the meeting point of adjacent building surfaces. Therefore, as the building element is pressed into the 12 10 15 20 25 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 plaster it overlaps the edges of the cove. This creates suction helping to affect securing of the element in position. The inventor has found that having a channel of the preferred dimensions provides particularly successful results compared to those achieved using devices 5 previously known. Specifically, substances applied using the present invention adhere to the surface better and do not tend to run down the surface after being applied. The inventor believes it could be that the area of the substance in contact with the surface is greater than that achieved using the prior art. Further, the depth of 10 plaster applied out from the surface is less that achieved using the prior art and therefore there is less weight to be supported or retained on the surface. Further, the preferred dimensions apply sufficient plaster to the surface so that it is possible for a user to position and move the building element to get this in the desired location and align adjacent sections. 15 The inventor has also found that the relationship between the contact surfaces and the top surface is important because it allows the applicator to avoid common objects which may hinder its effective use. Specifically, the 135° angle between these surfaces and the dimensions of each are important. In practice screws or nails used to secure dry wall to a building are often not flush 20 with the dry wall. Yet, devices for the application of plaster presently have a top surface which extends between the dry wall screw and nails and the point where adjacent building surfaces meet. These applicators therefore strike the non-flush screw/nails as they are moved along a building surface, stopping the movement of the applicator. This often results in the extra application of plaster to the surface 25 (creating wastage) and increases the time which it takes to apply piaster to the surface (increasing labour costs). 13 James & Weils Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 However, the approximate angle of 135° means that the applicator's top surface is not between the dry wall screws/nails and the meeting point of adjacent surfaces. It can therefore move lengthwise along these building surfaces without its movement being hindered. 5 In addition, the position of the channel within the contact surface and the dimensions of the top and contact surfaces in the preferred embodiment is particularly important. It is this position in relation to the preferred dimensions for the top surface which ensure plaster is applied to a surface such that it will overlay the edges of the building element. 10 The profile of plaster applied to the surface is advantageous as this profile prevents the plaster from running down the surface. Therefore, it is not necessary to use plaster with a high viscosity making it possible for a person of even low strength to apply plaster to adjacent surfaces. Further, lower viscosity plaster does not dry as quickly as plaster applied via other 15 methods. Therefore, a person can apply plaster to a long length of adjacent surfaces and this will not dry. This allows a person to apply plaster throughout a room or even an entire house and then secure an entire length of cove in place at once. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 20 Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Is a cross sectional view of the present invention. 25 Figure 2 Is an elevation view of the bottom side of the present invention. 14 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 Figure 3 Is a perspective view of the present invention from one end. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In its preferred embodiment, the present invention is intended to assist in the attachment of "cove" building elements to a surface. In this embodiment the 5 present invention will be an attachment for use with a plaster syringe as known to one skilled in the art. Reference will be made herein to use of the present invention in this embodiment. There is provided an applicator (1). The applicator has a plurality of contact surfaces (2) and (3) which extend from the applicator's top surface (4). The angle 10 from the top surface to each contact surface is 135°. The dimensions of the top surface and contact surfaces will vary depending on the size of building element which it will be used to secure. The inventor has found that a top surface with dimensions of either 55mm by 140mm, 85mm by 140mm, or 105mm by 140mm provide particularly successful results. 15 Further, contact surfaces with the dimensions are particularly well suited for use with cove of the size most commonly used in the trade. The bottom surface of the applicator is shown in Figure 2 as aspect (5). The applicator has a connection system which allows it to engage a plaster syringe as known to one skilled in the art. The connection system is formed from a recess (6) 20 within the bottom surface and a ball at one end of a plaster syringe (not shown). Together, the recess and ball form a ball and joint type arrangement wherein the ball is inserted into the recess and secured in place. A connector is formed from a pair of flexible members (7) and (8) extending across the opening of the recess and are substantially towards the outside edge of the 25 recess. As the ball joint is inserted into the recess it presses against the flexible 15 James & Wells Ref: 32025760 CG 555484 members causing them to flex and allow the ball joint to enter into the recess. Once the ball joint has passed the flexible members, they return to their un-flexed position and secure the ball joint in place. The connector is configured so that the ball joint of the syringe is able to rotate and 5 move within the recess allowing the applicator to be easily used. However, the flexible members prevent the syringe and applicator from losing contact with each other unless the user applies a deliberate motion or force to cause this. Each contact surface has a channel (9) and (10) with a substantially rectangular profile. The profile of the channels can be seen in Figure 2 where they have a 10 depth of 8mm and a width of 15mm. These dimensions are shown with the depth being aspect (11) and the width being aspect (12) in Figure 3. The recess is configured so that it is in fluid communication with apertures (13) and (14) within the channels. This communication is important as it allows the plaster to be introduced via extrusion into the channels. 15 In use, a user will prepare plaster using techniques known to one skilled in the art. Usually, this will involve mixing a dry plaster compound with water such that there are no lumps and the plaster has a homogenous consistency. It may also involve the addition of a retardant to "thin" the plaster and slow the time to dry. The plaster syringe is inserted into the plaster and the syringe handle is retracted to draw 20 plaster into the syringe. Then, the applicator is attached to the plaster syringe using the connector. That is, the ball joint of the piaster applicator is inserted into the recess in the bottom surface of the applicator. The ball joint presses against the flexible members causing them to move and allow the ball joint to enter the recess. Once the ball 25 joint has substantially entered the recess, the flexible members return to their initial position, thereby securing the plaster syringe to the applicator. 16 James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 The user positions the applicator so that the contact surfaces touch the wall and internal surface of the roof of a house. Pressure is applied against the handle of the syringe causing plaster to be forced through the ball joint and into the recess of the applicator. As plaster is forced into 5 the recess it travels through the apertures and into the channels in the contact surfaces. The user then moves the applicator sideways so that it maintains contact with the adjacent building surfaces. The connection means allows the user to ensure that the applicator remains in contact with the surface. 10 Due to the dimensions of the channels and the sideways movement of the applicator, plaster applied to the surfaces also has a width of approximately 15 mm and a depth of 8 mm. These dimensions are advantageous as they assist in preventing the plaster from running down a wall or falling off the roof. In effect, the area of plaster in contact with the surface is able to support the weight of the 15 plaster applied. Further, the substantially rectangular profile of applied plaster helps stop plaster running or falling from the wall through the viscous properties of the plaster. This means that plaster can be used which has a lower viscosity than application methods and devices currently available providing two major advantages. Firstly, 20 lower viscosity prevents plaster drying too quickly so that it can be applied to longer lengths of building surfaces in one application. Cove can then be secured to these longer surfaces in a single continuous process. There is no need to constantly stop and apply plaster to different lengths of building surfaces resulting in significant time savings over the prior art. 25 In using the method and applicator of the present invention, the inventor has found 17 James & Wells Ref . 32025/60 CG 555484 that a single person can efficiently install coves to an entire house in as little as 2 hours. In contrast, currently available methods and devices the installation of cove using the prior art may take an entire days labour, if not longer depending on the skill of the user. 5 Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. 18 </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims">



James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 

555484
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. 

WHAT l/WE CLAIM IS: 

A device for the application of a substance to a surface, including a contact surface, 

a channel within the contact surface, 

a delivery system configured to deliver the substance to the channel, 

characterised in that the shape of the channel is configured to apply the substance to the surface such that the ratio of the depth to width of the substance applied is approximately 1:2. 

The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device has two contact surfaces. 

The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the contact surfaces have a width of 85mm and a length of 140mm. 

The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the contact surfaces have a width of 110mm and a length of 140mm. 

The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the contact surfaces have a width of 105mm and a length of 140mm. 

The device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the device has a top surface from which the contact surfaces extend. 

The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top surface has a width of 85mm and a length of 140mm. 

The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top surface has a width of 110mm and a length of 140mm. 

19 

James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 

555484
9. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top surface has a width of 140mm and a length of 160mm.
10. The device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the contact surfaces extend from the top surface at an angle of 135 degrees.
11. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the channel extends along the entire length of the contact surface.
12. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the channel is open at an end of the contact surface.
13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the channel is open at each end of the contact surface.
14. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the channel has a depth of approximately 8mm and a width of approximately 15mm.
15. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the top edge of the channel is 10mm below the edge between the top surface and the contact surface.
16. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the delivery system is configured to extrude plaster into the channel.
17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the delivery system is an aperture in the channel which is in fluid communication with a reservoir of plaster.
18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the reservoir is a plaster syringe.
19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the device is attached to a plaster syringe using a ball and joint socket.
20. A method of securing a building element to a surface, including the steps of 

20 

James & Wells Ref: 32025/60 CG 555484 

20. A method of securing a building element to a surface, including the steps of 

(a) applying a substance to the surface, 

(b) positioning the building element in a position relative to where it is to be secured, 

(c) pressing the building element into the substance to affect securing the element to the surface, 

characterised in that the step of applying a substance to the surface occurs using a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.
21. The method as claimed in claim 20, including the step of moving the device along the surface.
22. The method as claimed in either one of claims 20 or 21, including the step of forcing the substance into the channel.
23. A device for application of a substance to a surface as substantially described herein with reference to the attached drawings and description.
24. A method of securing a building element to a surface as substantially described herein with reference to the attached drawings and description. 

Steven John Bell Gina Sue Bell by their authorised agents 

JAMES & WELLS 

21 



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