WO2014022880A1

WO2014022880A1 - Applicator nozzle

Info

Publication number: WO2014022880A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/000861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marian URBAN
Original assignee: U&S Holding Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-08-06
Filing date: 2013-08-05
Publication date: 2014-02-13

Abstract

An applicator nozzle for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the applicator nozzle including: a hollow body defining an internal volume; a connector at a first end of the body for allowing a viscous material source to be connected to the applicator nozzle; and, a closed tip at a second end of the body, the tip including at least one surface engaging tip surface, wherein the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the at least one surface engaging tip surface to thereby define one or more openings in the tip, such that, in use, a viscous material supplied to the applicator nozzle by the viscous material source is directed to the one or more openings via the internal volume of the body to allow one or more beads of viscous material to be applied to the at least one surface from the openings.

Description

APPLICATOR NOZZLE

Background of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an applicator nozzle, and particularly to an applicator nozzle suitable for applying a viscous material such as an adhesive to at least one surface.

Description of the Prior Art

[0002] There are numerous scenarios where it is desirable to apply a viscous material such as an adhesive or sealant to a surface. Conventional adhesive applicator nozzles typically have a relatively long, hollow conical shaped tip, and these nozzles may be provided in a closed configuration, in which the tip is moulded without an opening. A user is able to cut a portion of the tip from the nozzle to provide a round or oval shaped opening of a desired size and configuration, depending on the nature of the cut. However, only a limited range of opening shapes can be obtained using a conical shaped tip, and only a single opening can be provided such that only a single bead of adhesive may be applied to a surface using such conventional nozzles.

[0003] In particular scenarios, such as the laying of floorboards or other floor covering articles such as tiles, it can be desirable to apply multiple beads of adhesive to a surface, preferably in a parallel arrangement. This can be difficult and tedious to achieve using an applicator nozzle having a single opening.

[0004] A variety of applicators have been proposed to allow multiple beads of adhesives and sealants to be applied to a surface more efficiently, but each of these has shortcomings.

[0005] For example, United States Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0121315 discloses an application nozzle for viscous adhesives, having an application edge along which a plurality of nozzle openings is arranged at the end of flow paths defined inside the application nozzle. However, the design of the application nozzle in this publication requires a complex assembly of many parts, with one of the parts being formed to provide the openings in a predetermined arrangement. [0006] United States Patent No. 6,981,611 discloses a tip for a caulking gun for allowing an adhesive, or other extrudable compound, to be laid down on a surface in lines. The tip has a plurality of channels* terminating in a plurality of openings, so that adhesive ejected from the can be laid down in a set of parallel lines. The channels and openings are formed in the tip in a predetermined arrangement, which limits the possible circumstances in which the caulking gun can be used.

[0007] United States Patent No. 5,749,498 discloses an applicator and spreader tool for adhesives, which is configured to provide a plurality of beads of adhesive via outlets of separate fluid passageways passing through the applicator. Spreading members are provided, having spaced notches, to control the spreading of the beads onto the surface. However, the size and spacing of the beads is dictated by the predetermined spacing of the notches between the spreading members, and this arrangement can also result in smearing of the adhesive.

[0008] United States Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0237104 discloses a cove base nozzle for dispensing viscous material comprising a plurality of dispensing tubes having dispensing tips and a single input cavity adapted to accept the viscous material. In an embodiment, at least one of the dispensing tips is manufactured closed and can be opened at the user's discretion. Whilst this allows a user to select which tips are opened, the potential spacing and size of the openings is still limited by the predetermined configuration of the dispensing tips.

[0009] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Summary of the Present Invention

[0010] In a first broad form the present invention seeks to provide an applicator nozzle for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the applicator nozzle including:

a) a hollow body defining an internal volume; a connector at a first end of the body for allowing a viscous material source to be connected to the applicator nozzle; and,

a closed tip at a second end of the body, the tip including at least one surface engaging tip surface, wherein the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the at least one surface engaging tip surface to thereby define one or more openings in the tip, such that, in use, a viscous material supplied to the applicator nozzle by the viscous material source is directed to the one or more openings via the internal volume of the body to allow one or more beads of viscous material to be applied to the at least one surface from the openings.

[0011] Typically the tip is configured to allow the user to define a plurality of openings at respective positions along the at least one surface engaging tip surface.

[0012] Typically one of the at least one surface engaging tip surfaces extends in a first direction to thereby allow the user to define openings that are spaced apart in the first direction.

[0013] Typically the tip includes a substantially constant profile extending in a first direction to thereby define the surface engaging tip surface extending in the first direction.

[0014] Typically the tip has a curved profile to thereby define at least one curved surface engaging tip surface.

[0015] Typically the tip includes cutting guides for allowing the user to selectively define a desired configuration of openings by cutting the tip using the cutting guides.

[0016] Typically the cutting guides are configured to allow the user to define the desired configuration of openings having at least one of:

a) predetermined opening shapes;

b) predetermined opening sizes; and,

c) predetermined opening positions.

[0017] Typically the cutting guides include at least one of: a) visual markings for allowing the user to define openings by cutting along at least one of the visual markings;

b) score lines for allowing the user to define openings by cutting along at least one of the score lines; and,

c) measurement indicia for allowing the user to define openings by cutting with reference to the measurement indicia.

[0018] The tip can include frangible portions for allowing the user to selectively define a desired configuration of openings by removing at least one frangible portion.

[0019] Typically the at least one surface engaging tip surface includes at least one edge, and the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the at least one edge.

[0020] Typically one of the at least one edges is a substantially straight edge.

[0021] Typically the tip is configured to allow a user to define a plurality of spaced apart openings along one edge.

[0022] Typically one of the at least one edges is a surface engaging edge,

[0023] Typically the surface engaging edge extends in a first direction.

[0024] Typically the tip is configured such that at least some of the openings can be spaced apart along the surface engaging edge in the first direction.

[0025] The tip can taper from the body to define a single surface engaging edge.

[0026] Typically the tip has a shape including a plurality of edges, such that the openings can be defined along one or more of the edges.

[0027] Typically the tip has a quadrilateral shape including a first pair of parallel edges extending in a first direction and a second pair of parallel edges extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. [0028] Typically the one or more openings can be provided in one of the first pair of parallel edges and one or more openings can be provided in one of the second pair of parallel edges, such that one or more beads of viscous material can be applied from the openings to two orthogonally arranged surfaces.

[0029] Typically the tip tapers in the second direction away from the body.

[0030] Typically the body has a shape which tapers in a first direction from the second end to the first end.

[0031] Typically the body has a shape which is substantially constant in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction from the second end to the first end.

[0032] Typically centrepoints of the tip and the connector are substantially aligned in the first direction.

[0033] Alternatively centrepoints of the tip and the connector can be offset in the first direction.

[0034] Typically the applicator nozzle includes at least one brace for stiffening the body. [0035] Typically the brace extends outwardly from the body.

[0036] Typically the brace is a web that is integrally formed with the body and connector.

[0037] Typically the connector is configured to connect to a cartridge for providing the viscous material source.

[0038] Typically the viscous material source has a threaded connector, and the connector of the applicator nozzle is configured to threadingly connect to the screw connector of the viscous material source. r.

[0039] Typically the applicator nozzle includes an adaptor fitting connected to connector, the adaptor fitting being configured to connect to the viscous material source.

[0040] Typically the adaptor fitting includes a filter. [0041] Typically the applicator nozzle includes an edge tab extending from a side of the tip, the edge tab being for abutting an edge of an article during the application of a plurality of beads of viscous material to a surface of the article extending from the edge, to thereby control the position of the beads relative to the edge.

[0042] Typically the applicator nozzle includes a removable cover for covering the tip when the applicator nozzle is not in use.

[0043] Typically the cover is integrally attached to the tip via tabs extending from sides of the tip, and the cover can be detached from the tip by cutting the tabs.

[0044] Typically the cover can be detached by cutting one of the tabs such that at least a portion of the tab remains attached to the tip to thereby provide an edge tab.

[0045J Typically the applicator nozzle is formed as a single part having the body, connector and tip integrally formed.

[0046] Alternatively the applicator nozzle can be formed as an assembly including at least separate tip and body parts.

[0047] Typically the tip part and the body part are configured to allow the user to selectively remove respective portions thereof to thereby modify dimensions of the applicator nozzle when the tip part and the body part are assembled.

[0048] The applicator nozzle can be formed as an assembly including:

a) a body part including the nozzle and connector, the body part having open sides; and,

b) two caps for closing the open sides of the body part.

[0049] Typically the body part is configured to allow the user to selectively remove portions of the body at the sides to thereby reduce a length of one of the at least one surface engaging tip surfaces, the caps being configured to close the sides of the body part formed after the portions of the body are removed. [0050] Typically the, body includes internal bulkheads having apertures defined therein, such that when a portion of the body is removed adjacent a bulkhead, one of the end caps can be provided in the aperture to thereby close the respective side of the body part.

[0051] Typically one of the caps includes an edge tab.

[0052] Typically the caps provide extended portions of the tip from which portions can be removed to define additional openings.

[0053] The tip can include a plurality of tip extensions extending away from the body, the tip extensions being configured to allow the user to selectively remove a plurality of portions of the tip extensions to thereby define the plurality of openings in the tip.

[0054] The tip can be formed from a flexible material, at least the surface engaging tip surface being configured to deform when the tip is pressed against the at least one surface in use, to thereby allow the surface engaging tip surface to conform to the at least one surface.

[0055] In a second broad form the present invention seeks to provide an apparatus for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the apparatus including:

a) a viscous material source; and,

b) an applicator nozzle as described above.

[0056] The apparatus can include two applicator nozzles each connected to a respective viscous material source, the apparatus being configured to allow beads of viscous material from each of the viscous material surfaces to be simultaneously applied to the same surface.

[0057] Typically each of the applicator nozzles includes tip extensions configured such that the tip extensions of the two applicator nozzles can be interleaved to provide a single effective edge along which openings can be defined.

[0058] Typically the two applicator nozzles are integrally formed as a single part.

[0059] The applicator nozzle can include two distinct internal volumes each having at least one corresponding tip region along which openings can be defined and the viscous material source is configured to supply a different type of viscous material to each of the internal volumes of the applicator nozzle.

[0060] In a third broad form the present invention seeks to provide an applicator nozzle for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the applicator nozzle including:

a) a hollow body defining an internal volume;

b) a connector at a first end of the body for allowing a viscous material source to be connected to the applicator nozzle; and,

c) a closed tip at a second end of the body, the tip including at least one edge, wherein the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the at least one edge to thereby define one or more openings in the tip, such that, in use, a viscous material supplied to the applicator nozzle by the viscous material source is directed to the one or more openings via the internal volume of the body to allow one or more beads of viscous material to be applied to the at least one surface from the openings.

[0061] In a fourth broad form the present invention seeks to provide an applicator nozzle for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the applicator nozzle including:

a) a hollow bod defining an internal volume;

c) a closed tip at a second end of the body, the tip extending in first and second orthogonal directions, the extension of the tip being greater in the first direction than in the second direction, wherein the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the tip to thereby define one or more openings in the tip, such that, in use, a. viscous material supplied to the applicator nozzle by the viscous material source is directed to the one or more openings via the internal volume of the body to allow one or more beads of viscous material to be applied to the at least one surface from the openings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0062] Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

[0063] Figure 1 A is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle;

[0064] Figure IB is a schematic perspective view of an example of a user defining openings in the applicator nozzle of Figure 1 A by removing portions of a tip of the applicator nozzle;

[0065] Figure 1C is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying a viscous material to a surface using the applicator nozzle of Figure 1 A having a pair of user defined openings;

[0066] Figures 2A to 2C are schematic perspective views of examples of applying viscous materials using applicator nozzles having different configurations of user defined openings;

[0067] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of examples of applicator nozzles having different body shapes;

[0068] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of examples of different connector fittings for use with an example of an applicator nozzle;

[0069] Figure 5A is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having cutting guides provided on the tip;

[0070] Figure 5B is a schematic perspective view of an example of a user defining an opening in the applicator nozzle of Figure 5 A;

[0071] Figure 5C is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying a viscous material to a surface using the applicator nozzle of Figure 5A having a pattern of triangular user defined openings;

[0072] Figure 5D is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying a viscous material to a surface using the applicator nozzle of Figure 5 A having a pattern of rectangular user defined openings; [0073] Figure 6A is a schematic perspective view of examples of applicator nozzles having tapered tips and having different body geometries;

[0074] Figure 6B is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying a viscous material to a surface of a door frame using an applicator nozzle of Figure 6A having three user defined openings;

[0075] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a tapered tip and having cutting guides provided on the tip;

[0076] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a shape for applying a viscous material to a surface adjacent to a corner;

[0077] Figures 9A to 9C are schematic perspective views of examples of applicator nozzles having different arrangements of cutting guides provided on their respective tips;

[0078] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle being fitted with a cover;

[0079] Figure 11A is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a removable integral cover connected to the tip by two tabs;

[0080] Figure 1 IB is a schematic perspective view of the applicator nozzle of Figure 1 1A in which the cover and one of the tabs have been removed and the other tab is used as an edge stop;

[0081] Figure 12A is a schematic perspective view of an alternative example of an applicator nozzle having an integral removable cover connected to the tip by two enlarged tabs;

[0082] Figure 12B is a schematic perspective view of applying a viscous material to a surface of a floorboard using the applicator nozzle of Figure 12A in which the cover and one of the enlarged tabs has been removed and the other tab is used as an edge stop;

[0083] Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying a viscous material to a surface using an example of an applicator nozzle having a body shaped to reduce an amount of viscous material retained in the body after use; [0084] Figure 14 is a schematic perspective exploded view of an example of an applicator nozzle assembly including two body components and a tip component;

[0085] Figure 15A is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle assembly including a body component and a tip component having user definable geometries;

[0086] Figure 15B is a schematic perspective view of a user removing portions of the body component and the tip component of the applicator nozzle assembly of Figure 15 A to define the body and tip geometries;

[0087] Figure 16A is a schematic cross section plan view of a portion of the body component of the applicator nozzle assembly of Figure 15 A;

[0088] Figure 16B is a schematic cross section end view of a portion of the body component of Figure 16A;

[0089] Figure 17A is a schematic cross section plan view of a portion of the tip component of the applicator nozzle assembly of Figure 15A;

[0090] Figure 17B is a schematic cross section end view of a portion of the tip component of Figure 17A;

[0091] Figure 18A is a schematic cross section plan view of a portion of the assembled body and tip components of the applicator nozzle assembly of Figure 15 A;

[0092] Figure 18B is a schematic cross section end view of a portion of the assembled body and tip components of Figure 18 A;

[0093] Figure 19A is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a user definable body width;

[0094] Figure 19B is a schematic cross section view of an example of an end cap connection for use with the applicator nozzle of Figure 19A;

[0095] Figure 20 is a schematic perspective view of examples of applicator nozzles having different user defined body widths; [0096] Figure 21 A is a schematic perspective partial cutaway view of an alternative example of an applicator nozzle having a user definable body width;

[0097] Figure 21 B is a schematic perspective view of an example of a user removing an end portion of the body of Figure 21 A to define the width of the body;

[0098] Figure 21C is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying a viscous material to a surface using the applicator nozzle of Figure 21 A having a user defined width and a pattern of user defined openings;

[0099] Figure 22A is a schematic perspective view of an example of a user removing an end portion of an applicator nozzle having a user definable width and cutting guides provided on the body and tip;

[0100] Figure 22B is a schematic perspective view of an example of an angled cover being fitted to the applicator nozzle of Figure 22 A;

[0101] Figure 22C is a schematic perspective view of applying a viscous material to a surface of a floorboard using the applicator nozzle of Figure 22A including an end cap having edge stop tabs;

[0102] Figure 23A is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a tip including a plurality of tip extensions;

[0103] Figure 23B is a schematic perspective view of examples of a user defining different openings in applicator nozzles of Figure 23A by removing different portions of the tip extensions;

[0104] Figure 23C is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying a viscous material to a surface using the applicator nozzle of Figure 23A having portions of a selected number of the tip extensions removed;

[0105] Figures 24A and 24B is a schematic perspective view of examples of applying a viscous material to two orthogonally arranged surfaces using applicator nozzles having openings defined along two orthogonally extending edges; [0106] Figure 25A is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a triangular shaped tip including three edges each having a different configuration of cutting guides;

[0107] Figure 25 B to 25D are schematic perspective views of examples of applying a viscous material to a surface using applicator nozzles of Figure 25 A respectively having one, two and three user defined openings;

[0108] Figure 26 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a square shaped tip including four edges each having a different configuration of cutting guides;

[0109] Figure 27 is a schematic perspective view of a further example of an applicator nozzle having a triangular shaped tip;

[0110] Figure 28 is a schematic perspective view of a further example of an applicator nozzle , having a tip including a first straight edge and a second curved edge;

[0111] Figures 29A and 29B are schematic perspective views of an apparatus including two cooperating applicator nozzles connected to respective viscous material sources;

[0112] Figure 29C is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying two different types of viscous material to a surface using the apparatus of Figures 29A and 29B;

[0113] Figures 30A and 30B are schematic perspective partial cutaway views of an apparatus including an applicator nozzle including two distinct internal volumes and a viscous material source configured to supply different types of viscous materials to each of the internal volumes;

[0114] Figure 30C is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying two different types of viscous material to a surface using the apparatus of Figures 30A and 30B;

[0115] Figure 31 A is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a curved surface engaging tip surface; [0116] Figure 3 IB is a schematic perspective view of an example of user defined openings in the applicator nozzle of Figure 31 A;

[0117] Figure 31C is a schematic perspective view of an example of applying a viscous material to two surfaces using the applicator nozzle of Figure 31 A having user defined openings;

[0118] Figure 3 ID is a schematic side view of three examples of applying a viscous material to a surface using the applicator nozzle of Figure 31 A having the same user defined openings, in which the surface engaging tip surface engages the surface at different angles;

[0119] Figures 32A to 32D are respective schematic perspective views of examples of applicator nozzles having different surface engaging tip surfaces;

[0120] Figure 33 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a curved surface engaging tip surface and an alternative body configuration;

[0121] Figure 34 shows schematic perspective views of four examples of applicator nozzles having a curved surface engaging tip surface and different body configurations;

[0122] Figure 35 is a schematic perspective exploded view of an example of an applicator nozzle and a connector fitting including a filter;

[0123] Figure 36A is a schematic perspective exploded view of an example of an applicator nozzle having a curved surface engaging tip surface with a user definable width;

[0124] Figure 36B is a schematic perspective view of the applicator nozzle of Figure 36A having a surface engaging tip surface with a user defined width;

[0125] Figure 37 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a user defining openings in an example of an applicator nozzle having a cylindrical surface engaging tip surface, showing different examples of end caps;

[0126] Figure 38A is a schematic perspective view of an applicator nozzle having a surface engaging tip surface including a curved edge; [0127] Figure 38B is a schematic perspective view of the applicator nozzle of 38A being brought into initial contact with a target surface in use;

[0128] Figure 38C is a schematic perspective view of the applicator nozzle of 38A being pressed against the target surface in use;

[0129] Figure 39A is a schematic perspecti ve exploded view of an example of an applicator nozzle and a connector including a slot;

[0130] Figure 39B and 39C are schematic perspective views of the applicator nozzle and connector of Figure 39A at different stages of assembly;

[0131] Figure 40A is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of applicator nozzles being interconnected; and,

[0132] Figure 40B is a schematic perspective view of the plurality of applicator nozzles of Figure 40A in use.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0133] An example of an applicator nozzle 100 for applying a viscous material to at least one surface will now be described with reference to Figures 1 A to 1C.

[0134] In general terms, the applicator nozzle 100 includes a body 110, a connector 120 at a first end of a body 1 10 and a closed tip 130 at a second end of the body 1 10. The body 110 typically has a hollow structure defining an internal volume.

[0135] The connector 120 is for allowing a viscous material source S to be connected to the applicator nozzle 100, such that viscous material can be supplied into the internal volume of the body 110 from the viscous material source S via the connector 20. As shown in Figures I A and 1C, the viscous material source S may be provided, for example, in the form of a cartridge of the type typically used in adhesive applicator guns and the like.

[0136] The tip 130 includes at least one edge and is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip 130 at respective positions along the at least one edge to thereby define one or more openings 140 in the tip 130. [0137] In use, viscous material supplied to the applicator nozzle 100 by the viscous material source S may be directed to the openings 140 via the internal volume of the body to allow one or more beads B of viscous material to be applied to the at least one surface from the openings 140.

[0138] It will be appreciated that the above described arrangement provides a user with great flexibility to select a desired configuration of one or more openings 140 for applying a desired pattern of one or more beads B of viscous material onto at least one surface. For instance, in the example shown in Figure 1 C a pair of beads B of viscous material is applied to a surface, using an applicator nozzle 100 in which the user has defined two openings 140 at respective positions along one of the edges of the tip 130.

[0139] The user is able to select the respective positions of the openings 140 along the at least one edge, and the user is also able to define the particular shape and size of each of the openings 140 to thereby control the profile of each bead B and the amount of viscous material applied to the surface in each bead B. As shown in Figure IB, openings 140 may be defined having a generally triangular shape by the user removing triangular shaped notches from the tip 130 at selected positions along the edge 131. However, it will be appreciated that other shapes of openings 140 may be defined by removing different shaped portions of the tip 130. For example, openings 140 may be defined having square, rectangular, or rounded shapes.

[0140] The user is generally able to define openings 140 in the tip 130 in any desired configuration. In general, the user's ability to define the openings 140 is not limited to any particular opening 140 shapes or any particular positioning of the openings 140, and furthermore, is not limited to any particular number of openings 130.

[0141] In this example, the definition of openings 140 by the user may be facilitated by forming the tip 130 including a relatively thin layer of material adjacent the edges for closing the second end of the body 1 10, whereby portions of the tip 130 may be removed by cutting through the thin layer of material.

[0142] Figure IB shows an example of a user defining an opening 140 by cutting into the tip 130 material using a cutting tool C, such as a knife blade or the like. The openings 140 provide a fluid communication path through material forming the tip 130, for allowing viscous material supplied into the internal volume of the body 1 10 to exit the applicator nozzle 100 via the openings 140.

[0143] Figure 1C shows an example of applying a viscous material to a surface using an applicator nozzle 100 in which a pair of openings 140 have been defined by the user in the tip 130, for instance by cutting the tip material as discussed above. The viscous material is supplied from the viscous material source S to the connector 120 of the applicator nozzle 100, usually under pressure. The viscous material is directed to the openings 140 in the tip 130 via the internal volume of body 1 10, thus allowing the plurality of beads B of viscous material to be applied to the surface in a configuration desired by the user.

[0144] In Figure 1C, the beads B are spaced apart by a spacing that is suitable for adhering a floor board to the surface. Such a pattern of beads B can be provided by the user defining a pair of openings along a single edge 131 at respective positions selected for providing the desired spacing between the openings 140, and thus the beads B applied from the openings 140.

[0145] One of the edges of the tip 130 will typically be a substantially straight edge, and it will be appreciated that a substantially straight edge will generally be suitable for applying viscous material to a substantially planar surface. However, non-straight edges may be provided, and these may be useful for applying viscous materials to non-planar surfaces.

[0146] As shown in Figure 1C, the edge 131 is a surface engaging edge, in that the edge 131 engages with the surface upon which the viscous material is applied in use. In this case the edge 131 is substantially straight and the surface is substantially planar, although it will be understood that the configuration of a surface engaging edge can be selected to match a target surface. In this example, the surface engaging edge 131 extends in a first direction. Accordingly, the openings 140 can be spaced apart along the surface engaging edge 131 in the first direction.

[0147] The tip 130 may have a shape including a plurality of edges, such that the openings 140 can be defined along any one of the edges, or along multiple edges. In this example, the tip 130 has a quadrilateral shape including a first pair of parallel edges extending in a first direction and a second pair of parallel edges extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. As will be discussed further in later examples, one or more openings 140 can be provided in one of the first pair of parallel edges and one or more openings can be provided in one of the second pair of parallel edges, such that one or more beads of viscous material can be applied from the openings to two orthogonally arranged surfaces.

[01 8] Furthermore, whilst a parallel and orthogonal arrangement of edges may be desirable for many practical applications, this is not essential, and later examples will illustrate other variations of tip 130 shapes which may also be beneficial.

[0149] In this example, the tip 130 generally extends in the first and second orthogonal directions, where the extension of the tip 130 is greater in the first direction than in the second direction. Accordingly, the tip 130 may be characterised as having a relatively large width dimension in the first direction compared to a relatively small depth dimension in the second direction, such that the tip 130 has a narrow elongated shape. In the current example the tip 130 has a generally rectangular shape. The relatively wide tip 130 is particularly well suited to allowing a plurality of openings 140 to be defined which are spaced apart in the first direction, i.e. along the width of the tip 130.

[0150] Whilst the above example uses an edge 131 for the definition of openings 140, it will be appreciated that features of the tip 130 other than edges may be used whilst providing similar applicator nozzle 100 functionalities. For example, rounded corner features may be provided on the tip 130 instead of sharp corners, resulting in the tip 130 having rounded tip surfaces rather than distinct edges. Nevertheless, those tip surfaces can still engage with the surface upon which the viscous material is applied in use, and openings 140 can be defined along the tip surfaces, in the manner discussed above. Accordingly, it will be understood that suitable alternative forms of the applicator nozzle 100 may include surface engaging tip surfaces without necessarily including an edge 131.

[0151] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that surface engaging tip surfaces of the applicator nozzle 100 do not necessarily need to be provided at corners of the tip 130. In one example, the tip 130 may have a generally cylindrical shape which can nevertheless provide a surface engaging tip surface when the tip 130 is brought into contact with a surface. It will be understood that a range of tip 130 shapes may be used which provide surface engaging tip surfaces. In any event, examples of applicator nozzles 100 having different surface engaging tip surfaces will be discussed further in due course.

[0152] Figures 2A to 2C provide examples of potential configurations of openings 140 which may be provided using an applicator nozzle 100 as described above.

[0153] Figure 2A shows an example where a plurality of relatively small triangular shaped openings 130 has been defined in the tip 130. Figure 2B shows a case where different sized openings 140 have been defined at different positions along the edge 131 of the tip 130, namely two relatively large triangular openings 140 positioned towards the outsides of the tip 130 and two relatively small triangular openings positioned towards the centre of the tip 130. Figure 2C shows an example of square shaped openings 130 spaced evenly across the width of the tip 130, thereby resulting in a pattern of parallel beads B having a generally square profile.

[0154] The applicator nozzle 100 may be suitably formed from a plastic material selected to facilitate cutting by the user, and may be manufactured using known manufacturing techniques such as moulding. In one example, the applicator nozzle 100 may be formed as a single part. In other examples the applicator nozzle 100 may be formed in multiple parts which may be permanently fixed together using plastic welding techniques or the like. The applicator nozzle 100 may also be formed as an assembly of separate parts, and examples of such arrangements will be described in due course.

[0155] As can be seen in the example shown in Figure 1A, the body 110 may have a shape which generally tapers in the first direction (i.e. the width direction of the tip 130) from the second end having the tip 130 to the first end having the connector 120. In this example, the body 110 has a shape which is substantially constant in the second direction (i.e. the depth dimension of the tip) from the second end to the first end. As can be seen in Figure 1A, the shape of the body 110 transitions to the shape of the connector 120 towards the first end.

[0156] The applicator nozzle 100 may also include one or more braces 111 for stiffening the body 110. In this example, the applicator nozzle 100 include four braces 110 arranged in pairs on upper and lower sides of the body 1 10. Each brace 111 generally extends outwardly from the body 110. In the case the braces 1 1 1 extend in the second direction, to thereby provide additional stiffness to help to resist bending of the body 110 across its relatively small depth dimension in the second direction. In this example, the braces 1 1 1 are provided in the form of webs which are integrally formed with the body 110 and the connector 120.

[0157] Figure 3 shows a range of different applicator nozzles 301, 302, 303, 304 each having similar features as described above for the first example applicator nozzle 100 but with variations in the particular shape and configuration of the respective features.

[0158] For instance, the applicator nozzle 301 depicted uppermost in Figure 3 has a body 110 having a shape which does not taper from the second end to the first end, but which is substantially constant along the first direction and is generally similar to the shape of the tip 130 along the length of the body 110. In this example, only a single brace 111 is provided on each side of the body 110.

[0159] The next three example applicator nozzles 302, 303, 304 depicted in Figure 3 illustrate different degrees of tapering from respective tips 130 of progressively greater widths in the first direction. It may be desirable to provide additional braces 1 11 for wider tips 130 as shown in the example applicator nozzle 304 depicted lowermost in Figure 3.

[0160] In the examples shown in Figure 3, it will be appreciated that centre points of the tip 130 and the connector 120 are substantially aligned, particularly in the first direction, to provide a substantially symmetrical applicator nozzle 100.

[0161] It will also be noted from the examples in Figure 3 that a portion of the length of the body 110 at the second end of the body 110 near the tip 130 may be extended with a shape generally conforming to the shape of the tip 130, which in this case is generally rectangular. Accordingly, the body 1 10 does not necessarily taper immediately from the extreme end of the tip 130.

[0162] The connector 120 may be configured to connect directly to the viscous material source S, such as a cartridge as shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1C. For example, the viscous material source S may have a threaded connector and the connector 120 of the applicator nozzle 100 may be configured to threadingly connect to the threaded connector of the viscous material source S.

[0163] Alternatively, the applicator nozzle 100 may include an optional adaptor fitting 150 which may be connected to the connector 120, and the adaptor fitting 150 may be configured to connect to the viscous material source S. The use of an adaptor fitting 150 can expand the usefulness of the applicator nozzle 100, by allowing the applicator nozzle 100 to be connected to a variety of viscous material sources S with a variety of connection techniques, simply by interchanging the adaptor fitting 150.

[0164] Figure 4 illustrates different examples of adaptor fittings for use with the applicator nozzle 100. Each of the fittings 451, 452, 453 includes a cylindrical threaded outer surface 401 for threadingly engaging with a corresponding cylindrical threaded inner surface 121 provided in the connector 120.

[0165] The first adaptor fitting 451 and the second adaptor fitting 452 each have different configurations of interfaces for connection to corresponding viscous material sources S. For instance, the first adaptor fitting 451 has a substantially planar interface with a relatively small aperture 402 defined centrally and providing viscous material passageway into the connector 120 of the applicator nozzle 100. The second example adaptor fitting 452 has a comparatively open interface bounded by a peripheral flange 403. It will be appreciated that different interface types may be used to not only adapt the connector 120 to different viscous material sources S, but may also include features for controlling the rate of supply of viscous material to the applicator nozzle 100, for example by changing the size of the aperture 402 in the first adaptor fitting 451.

[0166] The third example adaptor fitting 453 is a special type of adaptor fitting in which there is no viscous material passageway defined therein. This prevents viscous material from being supplied into the applicator nozzle 100 and although this will clearly not be suitable for use in applying viscous material to a surface, this type of adaptor fitting 453 may be useful during storage of the viscous material source S with the applicator nozzle 100 fitted, to prevent leakage via the applicator nozzle 100. [0167] In some examples, the adaptor fittings 451, 452, 453 may and the connectors 120 may include complimenting closely fitting surfaces adjacent the respective threaded surfaces, to help to prevent viscous material from entering the threads in use.

[0168] In order to facilitate the definition of openings 140 in the tip 130 by the user, the tip 130 may include cutting guides for allowing the user to selectively define a desired configuration of openings 140 by cutting the tip 130 using the cutting guides. Figures 5A to 5D illustrate an example of an applicator nozzle 500 including cutting guides 560.

[0169] The cutting guides 560 may be provided in a variety of configurations. The types of cutting guides may vary depending on factors such as the manufacturing technique used to form the applicator nozzle 500 or to accommodate different user preferences regarding the types of openings 140 that may be defined, etc.

[0170] For instance, the cutting guides 560 may be configured to allow the user to define the desired configuration of openings 140 in the tip 130 with a variety of different predetermined shapes, sizes, and spacing between the openings 140. The cutting guides 560 can thus be provided along one or more of the edges of the tip 130.

[0171] As can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B, a number of cutting lines 561 are provided across the tip 130 which define triangular shapes, to thereby allow the user to define openings 140 having corresponding triangular shapes, such as the opening 140 shown in Figure 5B which has been formed by cutting away a portion 531 of the tip 130 along the edge 131 using a cutting tool C cutting along the cutting lines 561.

[0172] In this case, cutting lines 561 are provided on first and second parallel edges 131, 132 of the tip 130. This allows cutting lines 561 corresponding to different shapes, sizes and positions of openings 140 to be provided on respective edges 131, 132.

[0173] The cutting lines 561 may be provided in the form of visual markings for allowing the user to define openings 140 by cutting along at least one of the visual markings. These visual markings may be provided through printing or other purely visual means, however in the example depicted in Figures 5A to 5C the cutting lines 561 are provided in the form of score lines formed as depressions in the material forming the tip 130. The score lines help to allow the user to neatly cut material from the tip 130 by cutting with the cutting tool C along the score lines. It will be appreciated that the depressions of the score lines allow a cutting tool such as a knife blade to move within the cutting lines 561 as pressure is applied in a cutting action, thus allowing the user to define openings 140 with a high degree of control over the shape of the openings 140 in accordance with the cutting lines 561.

[0174] Another form of cutting guide 560 is shown in Figures 5A to 5D, being measurement indicia 562 which are in this case provided across an upper surface of the tip 130 and second end of the body 110, extending from the second edge 132. These measurement indicia 562 may allow a user to define openings 140 by cutting material from the tip 130 with reference to the measurement indicia 562. It will be appreciated that, the measurement indicia 562 provide another means for the user to define a pattern of openings 140 on the tip 130 having desired shapes and spacing, and specifically having particular dimensions determined using the measurement indicia 562.

[0175] As shown in Figures 5A to 5D, the cutting guides 560 may be provided across the width of the tip 130 and may include a large number of score lines 561 and measurement indicia 562, only a subset of which may ultimately be used by the user in defining a desired configuration of openings 140. Furthermore, it will be seen that a plurality of different shapes and sizes of openings 140 may be provided for in the cutting guides 560 to allow the user to define a wide range of different patterns of openings 140 depending on their requirements.

[0176] For example, in Figure 5C the cutting lines 561 have been used to define a pattern of openings 140 having relatively large triangular openings 541 positioned towards the outside edges of tip 130 and relatively small triangular openings 542 positioned towards a centre portion of the tip 130. In contrast, in Figure 5D, the tip 130 has been cut by the user to define square shaped openings 543. In this case, the triangular shaped score lines 561 provided on the tip 130 have not been used by the user, but instead the user has referred to the measurement indicia 562 to allow a series of square openings 543 to be provided with controlled opening width and spacing dimensions based on the measurement indicia 562.

[0177] In another example, the tip 130 may include frangible portions (not shown) for allowing the user to selectively define a desired configuration of openings 140 by removing at least one of the frangible portions from the tip 130. Such frangible portions may be provided in a similar fashion as the score lines 561 , but with depressions sufficient to allow a user to break the material of a portion of the tip 130 without requiring the use of a cutting tool C. Suitable techniques for providing such frangible portions will be known to skilled persons in the art of providing moulded plastic parts.

[0178] In any event, it will be appreciated that the cutting guides 560 or frangible portions on the tip 130 can greatly simplify the process of having a user define a desired pattern of openings 140 in the tip 130, and may allow consistent repeatable results to be obtained when preparing a new applicator nozzle 100 for a particular application.

[0179] Furthermore, predetermined patterns of cutting guides 560 may be provided on the tip 130 of an applicator tool to allow openings 140 to be defined by the user which have a configuration particularly suitable to certain applications of viscous material to a surface. For instance, applicator nozzles 100 may be provided with cutting guides 560 including patterns for providing openings 140 suitable for use with floorboards having particular widths. The shapes and spacing of the openings 140 which may be defined using the cutting guides 560 may be selected to have particularly suitable qualities for using known adhesives for adhering known materials to known surfaces.

[0180] Of course, a user is also free to define openings 140 in the tip 130 without using the cutting guides 560, to define any other opening 140 shapes and spacing that may not be expressly provided by the cutting guides 560.

[0181] A number of different configurations of applicator nozzles 100 may be provided, each having different combinations of features which may be beneficial in certain circumstances. A number of examples of different applicator nozzle configurations will now be discussed.

[0182] As shown in Figure 6A, example applicator nozzles may be provided having a tip 130 which tapers in the second direction away from the body 110. The example applicator nozzles 601, 602, 603 show tapering tips 130 having a range of different widths in the first direction. It will be appreciated that a tapered tip 130 may allow control of the size of the opening 140 by simply varying the depth of notches cut into the tip 130. In one example of a tapering tip 130, the tip 130 may taper from the body 1 10 to define a single surface engaging edge 131 across the width of the tip 130.

[0183] In any case, a tapering tip 130 configuration may be particularly desirable in certain applications where the applicator nozzle 601, 602, 603 is used to apply a plurality of beads of viscous material to a surface with the applicator nozzle 601, 602, 603 oriented at an angle to the surface. An example is shown in Figure 6B, where applicator nozzle 601 is being used to apply beads B of viscous material along a door frame surface. It will be appreciated that the orientation angle used during the application may be equal to the angle of taper of the tip 130 such that one of the tapering surfaces of the tip 130 may be rested on the surface.

[0184] It will also be seen in Figure 6A that the type of connector 120 provided in the three illustrated examples differs from the type of connector 120 shown in the previous examples, illustrating that a wide variety of connectors 120 may be used. For example, different types of connectors 120 may be provided depending on the viscous material source configuration and the manufacturing technique used to form the applicator nozzle 100.

[0185] An alternative example of an applicator nozzle 700 including a tapering tip 130 is shown in Figure 7. The tapered tip 130 is also provided with cutting guides 560 in the form of cutting lines 561 which are arranged in a pattern across the upper tapered surface 734 of the tip 130. As can be seen in Figure 7, the cutting lines 561 are arranged in a variety of triangular shapes, for allowing a user to define a pattern of triangular openings in the tip 130 by simply cutting along the cutting lines 561. In this case the connector 120 is similar to those shown in Figures 1 A to ID.

[0186] Figure 8 shows a further example of an applicator nozzle 800 having a tapered tip 130 similar to that shown in Figure 7. However, in this case the applicator nozzle 800 is configured such that respective centre points of the tip 130 and the connector 120 are offset in the first direction. This results in an asymmetric applicator nozzle 800 which can be suitable for applying viscous materials onto a surface adjacent a corner, as per the example of application shown in Figure 8. Such an arrangement can be useful for adhering skirting boards or other corner mouldings into place. [0187J Figures 9A to 9C illustrate a range of further alternative examples of applicator nozzles 901, 902, 903 each having a similar construction of the body 110 and connector 120, but having different configurations of tips 130 and cutting guides 560.

[0188] The tip 130 of the example applicator nozzle 901 shown in Figure 9 A has a flat configuration upon which are defined a pattern of triangular guides 560 extending from the edges of the tip 130. In this case, the triangular cutting lines 561 may allow regular patterns of triangular shaped openings 140 to be cut by the user. The cutting lines 561 extend along an upper surface of the tip 130 and second end of the body 110, and whilst not shown in Figure 9A, the cutting lines 561 similarly extend along a lower surface of the tip 130 and second end of the body 110.

[0189] It will also be noted that the cutting lines 561 are arranged in triangles having bases on both the upper and lower surfaces of the tip 130 and second end of the body 110. In one example, different shapes and sizes of openings 140 may be defined by the user by cutting along the upper or lower cutting lines 561.

[0190] In the example applicator nozzle 902 shown in Figure 9B, the cutting lines 561 are arranged at right angles to the first and second dimensions to thereby allow the user to define square or rectangular shaped openings of a variety of shapes, sizes and spacing.

[0191] In Figure 9C, the example applicator nozzle 903 includes a tapered tip 130 upon which a regular pattern of triangular shaped cutting guides 560 have been provided.

[0192] In view of the above, it will be appreciated that many different variations of applicator nozzles 100 may be provided simply by modifying the shape of the tip 130 and configuration of the cutting guides 560, to allow a wide range of different openings 140 to be provided to a wide range of surfaces. Thus applicator nozzles 100 may be used to provide beads of viscous material to surfaces in configurations suitable for practically any desired application.

[0193] A range of further features may be provided on the applicator nozzle 100 or similar nozzles as shown in the other examples. For instance, as shown in Figure 10 the applicator nozzle 100 may be fitted with a cover 1010 which is configured to engage with the tip 130 and thus allow openings 140 defined by the user in the tip 130 to be covered and effectively closed by the cover 1010 when the applicator nozzle 100 is not in use.

[0194], As shown in Figure 11 A, the cover 1010 may be suitably provided as an integrally formed part of the applicator nozzle 100, for subsequent removal by the user before use of the applicator nozzle 100. In this example, the cover 1010 may be integrally attached to the tip 130 via a pair of tabs 1110 extending from sides of the tip 130. The cover 1010 may be detached from the tip 130 by simply cutting the tabs 1110, for example by using a cutting tool C as shown in Figure 11 A.

[0195] In one example, the tabs 11 10 may be cut in line with the tip 130 to thereby completely remove the tabs 1110 from the applicator nozzle 100. However, the tabs 11 10 may also provide additional functionality as shown for example in Figure 1 IB. In this case, the cover 1 1 10 has been detached by cutting one of the tabs in line with the tip 130 (to completely remove that tab) but cutting the other one of the tabs nearer to the cover 1110 such that at least a portion of that tab 1110 remains attached to the tip 130 to thereby provide an edge tab 1120.

[0196] In general terms, an edge tab 1120 may be provided as a portion of material extending from a side of a tip 130, being for abutting an edge E of an article during the application of viscous material to a surface extending from the edge E. It will be appreciated that the edge tab 1120 thus allows the user to control the position of the beads of viscous material applied to the surface relative to the edge E. This provides the user with even further control over the application of viscous material to the surface.

[0197] Figures 12A and 12B show a further example of an applicator nozzle 1200 having a connector 1010 attached in a similar manner as described above, although with tabs 1210 having an alternative shape to those of the previous example. In this case the tabs 1210 include lobes 1220 extending from the tabs 1210 in the second direction, i.e. the height direction of the tip 130. As shown in Figure 12B, these lobes 1220 provide a larger area of material for abutting against the edge E of the article, to thereby offer further improved control over the positioning of the beads B of viscous material applied to the surface. [0198J Whilst the previous examples have each shown a body 1 10 generally having thin walls defining relatively flat upper and lower surfaces and tapering or straight side surfaces, and a single internal volume spanning between those walls, it will be appreciated that other configurations of the body 110 may be provided whilst still allowing a tip 130 to be provided with functionalities as described above.

[0199] For example, Figure 13 shows an applicator nozzle 1300 having a body 110 including an internal void 1310 extending through the body 110 between upper and lower surfaces. In this example, viscous material supplied into the applicator nozzle 1300 via the connector 120 will be diverted around the void 1310 via internal walls 1320. As the viscous material is supplied into the applicator nozzle 1300 under pressure it will tend to redistribute within the internal volume 110 so as to allow viscous material to exit the applicator nozzle 1300 from the openings 140 defined anywhere across the tip 130, as shown in Figure 13.

[0200] As discussed above the applicator nozzle 100 may be formed as a single part, such as by using plastic moulding processes, and thus may have the body 1 10, connector 120 and tip integrally formed. Alternatively, these elements of the applicator nozzle 100 may be formed in separate parts which are bonded or fused together so as to form a product still having a single effective part. However, in other examples the applicator nozzle 100 may be formed as an assembly including a number of separate parts.

[0201] In the example applicator nozzle 1400 shown in Figure 14 the applicator nozzle 1400 is formed as an assembly including a separate tip part 1430 which provides the tip 130 and a pair of separate body parts 1411, 1412. The two body parts 1411, 1412 form respective halves of an effective body 1 10. In this case, each of the body parts 14 1, 1412 includes approximately half of the connector 1421, 1422 at respective first ends of the body parts 1411, 1412. As per previous examples, an adaptor fitting 150 may be used for facilitating the connection of the applicator nozzle 1400 to a range of different viscous material sources.

[0202] The applicator nozzle 1400 is assembled by placing the tip part 1430 between the two body parts 141 1, 1412 and using suitable fasteners 1401 to join the two body parts 1411, 1412 and lock the tip part 1430 into place relative to the body parts 1411, 1412. In this example, a retaining groove 1402 is provided on internal surfaces of each of the body parts 1411, 1412 for interfacing with a corresponding projection 1402 extending around a parameter of the tip part 1430, to thereby facilitate the locking of the tip part 1430 upon assembly.

[0203] In this example, it is possible to easily replace the tip part 1430 with a new tip part 1430 to allow a new pattern of openings 140 to be defined, whilst the body parts 1411 , 1412 may be reused many times. Accordingly, the body parts 1411, 1412 can be made using more expensive materials which may provide higher strength or better cleaning properties, whilst the tip part 1430 may be provided from a lower cost material, as a disposable component. This may provide a more environmentally friendly solution compared to preparing an entirely new applicator nozzle 100 when a new pattern of openings 140 is desired.

[0204] A further example of an applicator nozzle 1500 formed as an assembly of parts is shown in Figures 15A and 15B. In this case, the applicator nozzle 1500 is formed as an assembly including a tip part 1530 and a body part 1510 which includes an integrally formed connector 120. The tip part 1530 and the body part 1510 may be formed from a suitable resilient material such as plastic, allowing the two parts to be assembled together conveniently using snap fit interfaces, or the like.

[0205] Details of interfacing portions of the body part 1510 are shown in Figures 16A and 16B, and corresponding interfacing portions of a suitable tip part 1530 are shown in Figures 17A and Figure 17B. The tip part 1530 includes teeth 1701 for interfacing with corresponding grooves on internal surfaces of the body part 1510, such that the tip part 1530 may be locked in to place relative to the body part 1510 as shown in Figures 18A and 18B.

[0206] In the particular example shown in Figures 15A and 15B, the tip part 1530 and the body part 1510 are further' configured to allow the user to selectively remove respective portions of each part 1510, 1530 to thereby modify dimensions of the applicator nozzle 1500 when the body part 1510 and the tip part 1530 are assembled.

[0207] Figure 15B shows an example of using a cutting tool C to remove a side portion of the tip part 1530 and a portion of the second end of the body part 1510. The body part 1510 in this case has a stepped arrangement to allow the user to remove predetermined increments of the length of the body part 1510, which also corresponds to removal of a predetermined increment of width of the second end of the body part 1510. Similarly, the tip part 1530 has internal partitions such that portions of the tip part 1530 may be cut adjacent to these internal partitions 1702 (see Figures 17A and 17B) to remove predetermined increments from the width part 1530.

[0208] The user may remove portions from each of the tip part 1530 and the body part 1510 to result in each part 1510,1530 having corresponding overall width dimensions, such that the two parts 1510,1530 may be assembled together to provide an applicator nozzle 1500 of a desired width.

[0209] The remaining outside internal partitions 1702 in the tip part can engage with internal side portions of the body part 1530 to provide a seal and thus prevent the escape of viscous material about the portions where material has been cut from the respective parts 1510, 1530. Once the parts 1510, 1530 have been assembled the user is able to define the openings 140 in the tip 130 in the manner described above, and whilst not shown in the Figures, the tip component 1530 may include cutting guides 560 of the types exemplified above.

[0210] Another example of applicator nozzle 1900 which is formed as an assembly is shown in Figure 19. In this case the applicator nozzle 1900 includes a body part 1910 including the nozzle 130 and connector 120. The body part 1910 has open sides 1911, 1912 but otherwise provides the rest of the body 110 structure. The applicator nozzle 1900 assembly is completed to provide the entire body 110 using two caps 1970 for closing the open sides 1911, 1912 of the body part 1910.

[0211] In this case the body part 1910 has a different overall shape compared to the tapered bodies 110 in examples described above. In particular, the body part 1910 has an elongated body portion which extends in the first direction, generally extending by the width of the tip 130, and having a generally constant cross-section, which in this case is of a teardrop shape. The tip 130 is generally formed as a single surface engaging edge extending in the first direction across the width of body portion. The elongated body portion is attached to the connector 120 via a connector extension 1920.

[0212] The example applicator nozzle 1900 may also allow a user to conveniently define the width of the tip 130. Specifically, the body part 1910 is configured to allow the user to selectively remove portions of the body portion and correspondingly the tip 130, at the open sides 1911, 1912 to thereby reduce the extensions of the body portion in the first direction. The removal of material will result in new open sides 1911, 1912 being defined at positions inwardly of the previous open sides 1911, 1912 for the cutting action. The caps 1970 are configured to close the open sides 1911, 1912 formed after the portions of the body portion are removed.

[0213] Accordingly, the user is able to selectively define the width of the applicator nozzle 1900 by removing side portions of the body part 1910 and closing the open sides 191 1, 1912 using the caps 1970.

[0214] The caps 1970 may engage with the opened sides 1911, 1912 using any known techniques. In one example, the caps 1970 may include interfacing teeth 1901 about a peripheral flange for insertion into the open side 191 1, 1912, and an internal surface of the body part 1910 adjacent the open sides 191 1 , 1912 may include corresponding teeth 1902 to thereby allow the respective teeth 1901, 1902 to engage and thus retain the cap 1971 in position for closing the open sides 191 1, 1912.

[0215] Figure 20 shows examples of the applicator nozzle 1900 having different user defined widths, which have been provided by cutting the sides of the body part 1910.

[0216] An alternative form of applicator nozzle 2100 allowing a user to define its width is shown in Figures 21 A to 21C. This applicator nozzle 2100 is generally of similar construction as the previous example applicator nozzle 1900, but in this case a different configuration of cap 2170 is used to close the open sides 2111, 2112, which also have a different form to the open sides 1911, 1912 of the previous example applicator nozzle 1900.

[0217] In this case, the body part 1910 is provided with an arrangement of internal bulkheads 2101 having apertures 2102 defined therein, such that when a portion of the body part 1910 is removed adjacent to a bulkhead 2101, the bulkhead 2101 and aperture 2102 will be exposed to provide the open side 2111, 21 12. The caps 2170 in this case are configured to interface with the aperture 2102 to thereby close the respective open sides of the body part 1910. [0218] The cap 2170 may have a construction as shown in Figures 21B, having a main plate 2171 which is larger than the aperture 2102, and a connected offset interfacing plate 2172 which is shaped to fit within the aperture 2102 at a predetermined angle. In this case the interfacing plate 2172 has an oval shape. The interfacing plate 2172 is positioned in the aperture 2102 and rotated by a predetermined amount such that it engages with an internal side of the bulkhead 2101, such that the cap 2170 may be retained in place by the interfacing plate 2172.

[0219] Figure 21C shows an example in which the width of the body part 1910 and in turn the tip 130 have been significantly reduced by having a user cut relatively large portions from each side of the body part 1910, and the open sides 1911 have been closed using end caps 2170. As per previous examples, openings 140 have been defined in the remaining tip 130 for applying beads of viscous material to the surface.

[0220] In Figure 21C a protrusion 2173 of the cap 2170 can be seen, which facilitates easy rotation of the cap 2170 as part of the above mentioned process of closing the opened sides of the body part 1910.

[0221] A further example of an applicator nozzle 2200 having generally similar features as the previous example applicator nozzles 1900 and 2100 is shown in Figures 22A to 22C. The main difference in the case of the applicator nozzle 2200 is the inclusion of cutting lines 561 and measurement indicia 562 across the tip 130 and body portion of the body part 1910.

[0222] Additional cutting lines 561 are provided on the respective end caps 2270, such that openings 140 may be defined by the user anywhere across the width of the tip 130 and also in the end caps 1970 as illustrated in Figures 22B and 22C.

[0223] In Figure 22B the applicator nozzle 2200 is shown being fitted with an angle cover 2280 which may be provided for covering openings 140 defined across the tip 130 and also in the end caps 1970 to thereby prevent the release of viscous material from the openings 140 when the applicator nozzle 2200 is not in use.

[0224] Figure 22C shows an example of applying viscous material to a surface using the applicator nozzle 2200. In this case, an alternative form of end cap 2274 is used which includes edge stops 2275 similar to the edge stops 1 120, 1220 provided in the example applicator nozzles shown in Figures 1 1A and 1 IB, and 12A and 12B. In particular, the edge stops 2275 generally extend in the second direction for abutting against an edge of the article having the surface for the application of viscous material. As shown in Figure 22C, the edge stops 2275 of at least one of the caps 2274 may be removed by cutting, which may be useful in the event of application of viscous material to a surface which is wider then the distance between the respective edge stops 2275.

[0225] Another example applicator nozzle 2300 is shown in Figures 23A to 23C. In this example the tip 130 of the applicator nozzle 2300 includes a plurality of tip extensions 2330 extending away from the body 1 10. The tip extensions 2330 are configured to allow the user to selectively remove a plurality of portions of the tip extensions 2330 along edges of the tip extensions 2330 to thereby define openings 140 in the tip 130. Examples of such procedures are illustrated in 23B.

[0226] Cutting lines 561 and measurement indicia may be provided on the tip extensions 2330 to facilitate cutting of openings 140 having desired configurations. As shown in Figure 23C, openings 140 may be provided in only selected ones of the tip extensions 2330 to thereby define different patterns of openings 140 with different spacing therebetween,

[0227] This example also illustrates a possible configuration on the applicator nozzle 2300 wherein the tip 130 is provided oriented at an angle compared to the tapering length of the body 110.

[0228] As mentioned above, the tip 130 may include a plurality of edges, such that openings 140 can be defined along multiple edges. Figures 24 A and 24B illustrate examples of applying beads of viscous materials to two orthogonally arranged surfaces using an applicator nozzle 2400 in which openings 140 have been defined in respective orthogonal edges of the tip 130.

[0229] Whilst the previous examples have included numerous quadrilateral shaped tips 130, it will be appreciated that numerous other shapes of tips 130 may be provided. Figures 25 A and 25B illustrate examples of an applicator nozzle 2500 having a triangular shaped tip 130 including three edges each having a different cutting guide arrangement provided thereon. This allows different patterns of beads of viscous material to be applied to the surface depending on the particular edge upon which the openings are defined using the cutting guides, as shown in Figure 25B.

[0230] Figures 26 to 27 show further examples of possible variations of shapes and configurations of tips 130.

[0231] Apparatus may be provided which can be used for simultaneously applying more than one type of viscous material to a surface. This may be achieved, for example, by duplicating at least some of the elements of the applicator nozzle and coordinating the supply of viscous materials to the duplicated applicator nozzle elements.

[0232] For example, the apparatus 2900 depicted in Figures 29A to 29C includes two applicator nozzles 2901, 2902 each having respective tip extensions 2330, whereby the tip extensions 2330 of the two applicator nozzles 2901, 2902 can be interleaved to provide a single effective edge along which openings 140 can be defined so that the applicator nozzles 2901, 2902 can cooperate to apply viscous material to the same surface. The two applicator nozzles 2901, 2902 may be formed as separate components and joined, or alternatively, the two applicator nozzles 2901, 2902 may be integrally formed as a single part.

[0233] Each applicator nozzle 2901 , 2902 can be connected to different viscous material sources SI, S2, such that two different types of viscous material can be applied to the surface simultaneously via openings 140 defined in the tip extensions 2330 of the respective applicator nozzles 2901, 2902, as shown in Figure 29C. The two viscous material sources SI, S2 may be coupled together and may share a common actuator to allow the viscous materials to be supplied to the applicator nozzles 2901, 2902 simultaneously using a single action.

[0234] An alternative apparatus 3000 for simultaneously applying two different types of viscous material to the same surface is shown in Figures 30A to 30C. In this case, the viscous material source S. is configured to supply two different types of viscous material, wherein a first type of viscous material is supplied via a central aperture Al and a second type of viscous material is supplied via a coaxial ring aperture A2 surrounding the central aperture Al, as shown in Figure 30A. [0235] The applicator nozzle 3001 effectively includes two bodies 3111, 31 12 defining two distinct internal volumes in a nested arrangement. The first body 31 11 is configured to connect to the central aperture Al and to provide a central tip region 3131, and the second body 31 12 is configured to connect to the coaxial ring aperture A2 and to provide a pair of outer tip regions 3132, 3133.

[0236] In use, openings 140 can be defined by the user in each of the tip regions 3131, 3132, 3133, to allow the two different types of viscous materials to be applied to the surface via respective openings 140 in each of the first and second bodies 3111, 31112.

[0237] As discussed above, it is not essential for the tip 130 of an applicator nozzle to include an edge. In general, the tip 130 may include a tip surface of any shape suitable for engaging with a target surface upon which viscous material is to be applied. Whilst an edge of the tip 130 can provide a suitable surface engaging tip surface, it will be appreciated that different tip geometries will be capable of engaging with a target surface, whilst allowing openings 140 to be defined by removing portions of the tip. Examples of suitable applicator nozzles embodying this principle will now be discussed.

[0238] For instance, the applicator nozzle 3100 depicted in 31 A to 31 D does not include an edge on its tip 130 but nevertheless has been to be found suitable for applying beads of viscous material to surfaces via user defined openings 140 formed in its tip 130.

[0239] As can be seen in Figure 31 A, the applicator nozzle 3100 includes the common features of a body 110, a connector 120 and a tip 130. In this case, the tip 130 is provided in the form of a hollow member mounted transversely to the body 1 10, having a generally cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape of the tip 130 defines a smoothly curved surface engaging tip surface 3131 , which can brought into contact with a target surface to thereby engage that target surface in use. In this example, the cylindrical shaped tip 130 also has smoothly rounded ends 3132. Whilst not essential, these ends 3132 may also provide surface engaging tip surfaces as will be discussed below.

[0240] In this example, the surface engaging tip surface 3131 is elongated to thus allow engagement with the target surface across a length of the tip 130. In particular, the surface engaging tip surface 3131 extends in the first direction, in view of the cylindrical shape of the tip 130. Furthermore, it will be seen that the surface engaging tip surface 3131 has a generally constant profile in the first direction.

[0241} Turning to Figure 3 IB, an example of user defined openings 140 formed in the tip 130 is provided. Two openings 140 have been defined at respective positions along the surface engaging tip surface 3131 such that those openings 140 are spaced apart in the first direction, i.e. the width direction of the applicator nozzle 3100. A further opening 140 has been defined in the rounded end 3132 of the tip 130, and it will be appreciated that this particular opening 140 in the rounded end 3132 can allow an additional bead of viscous material to be applied to a second surface arranged orthogonally to a first surface to which viscous material will be applied from openings 140 in the main surface engaging tip surface 3131.

[0242] An example of the application of viscous material to surfaces using a configuration of user defined openings 140 similar to that shown in Figure 31 B is illustrated in 31 C. As can be seen, beads of viscous material are supplied from the openings 140 defined in the surface engaging tip surface 3131 extending across the tip 130 in the first direction, whilst a further bead of viscous material is applied to a second surface, in this case a side of a floor board, via the opening 140 in an end 3132 of the tip 130. It will be appreciated that this is similar to the application of beads of viscous materials from multiple edges as per example embodiments discussed above, however in this case no edges are required.

[0243] The use of a curved surface engaging tip surface can also provide further benefits, such as by allowing the user to have greater control over the size of the beads of viscous material applied to target surfaces. Whilst the user has some control of the size of the beads by defining openings 140 in the tip 130 with' a desired shape, the user is also able to control the bead size for openings 140 of a particular size by changing how the surface engaging tip surface is brought into engagement with the target surface. With regard to the examples described above with referent to Figures 31 A to 31C, it will be appreciated that this may be achieved by varying the relative angle between the applicator nozzle 3100 and the primary target surface to thereby cause the user defined openings 140 in the surface engaging tip surface 131 to assume different positions with respect to the target surface, and thus allow different amounts of viscous material to be applied. [0244] Figure 3 ID shows three different examples of applicator nozzle 3100 orientations at different angles relative to a flat target surface. For the purpose of these examples, it should be assumed that the openings 140 are similar to those shown in Figure 3 ID along the surface engaging tip surface 3131.

[0245] From these three examples, it can be seen that whilst each example involves engagement between the surface engaging tip surface 3131 and the target surface, the particular region of contact between the surface engaging tip surface 3131 and the target surface varies as the relative angle between the applicator nozzle 3100 and the surface varies. In particular, it can be seen that the height of a resulting bead of viscous material that can be applied from the applicator nozzle 3100 will generally be inversely related to the angle between the applicator nozzle 3100 and the surface.

[0246] For instance at a relatively small angle θ| as shown in the left-most example of Figure 3 ID, the height Hi of the bead of viscous material is relatively large compared to the heights ¾ and H₃ in the examples showing larger angles 0₂ and θ₃. In contrast, in the right-most example a relatively large angle 0₃, approaching a right angle orientation of the applicator nozzle 3100 relative to the surface, results in a relatively small bead height H₃. The centrally illustrated case shows an intermediate position having an angle θ₂ and resulting bead height H₂ at intermediate positions between the left-most and right-most examples.

[0247] It will be understood that similar relationships between the relative angle between the applicator nozzle 3100 and the surface and the width of the beads of viscous material may also exist. Turning back to Figure 3 IB, it can be seen that the openings 140 have been defined by the user by cutting a wedge shaped portion of the tip 130, such that the width of the opening 140 varies in the second direction. Accordingly, as the relative angle between the applicator nozzle 3100 and the surface is varied the width of the opening 140 exposed above the surface will vary, and thus the resulting bead of viscous material that can be applied from the opening 140 will correspondingly vary.

[0248] Thus the above described arrangement of the applicator nozzle 3100 can be particularly convenient in that it not only allows the user to not only define a desired pattern of openings 140, but also allows the user to further control the size of the beads of viscous material applied to target surfaces to thus allow different amounts of viscous material to be applied to different surfaces using the same applicator nozzle 3100 having the same user defined pattern of openings 140.

[0249] It will be appreciated that a range of different shapes of the tip 130 may be used whilst retaining a similar construction to the examples shown in Figures 31 A to 3 ID, in that the tip 130 has a surface engaging tip surface 3131 extending in the first direction with a generally constant profile in the first direction. Figures 32A and 32B show tip constructions in which the surface engaging tip surface 3131 of the tip 130 includes straight edges, in the applicator nozzle 3201 of Figure 32 A the tip 130 has a generally triangular cross-section, and can be considered to have similar operation as discussed above for examples having a tapering tip 130. Figure 32B shows an applicator nozzle 3202 including a tip 130 having a generally square cross section extended in the first direction and it will be appreciated that this configuration provides a generally rectangular shaped tip similar to numerous examples discussed above.

[0250J Turning to Figure 32C, this example applicator nozzle 3203 also has a generally square shaped cross section profile extended in the first direction, however in this case comers of the square profile are rounded. The surface engaging tip surface 3131 formed on the tip 130 does not include distinct edges due to rounding of the corners of the square profile. Despite the lack of edges, it will be appreciated that the tip 130 nevertheless includes a surface engaging tip surface 3131 which can be brought into engagement with the target surface and in which openings 140 can be defined by the user to allow the application of viscous material, similar to the case discussed above for Figures 31 A to 3 ID.

[0251] Figure 32D shows a further example applicator nozzle 3204 which is similar to the example in Figure 32C but has an even greater degree of rounding of the corners of the square cross section of the tip 130, thus providing a surface engaging tip surface 3132 with more pronounced curvature. This represents another intermediate case between the purely square profile with sharply defined edges at the corners of Figure 32B, and the purely rounded cylindrical case shown in Figures 31 A to 31 D. In any event, it will be appreciated that each tip shape discussed above will nevertheless allow openings 140 to be defined by the user, irrespective of the presence or lack of edges, or the degree of curvature of the surface engaging tip surface 3131.

[0252] Figure 33 shows a further alternative design of an applicator nozzle 3300 having a rounded surface engaging tip surface 3131. In this case, rather than having the tip 130 mounted transversely to a generally tubular body 1 10 as per previous examples, the body 110 is shaped to connect to the tip 130 via viscous material conduits 331 extending along outer sides of the body 1 10 between the connector 120 and ends of the tip 130. This arrangement can allow for improved distribution of viscous material across the width of the tip 130. A portion of the body may span between the conduits 3310 and the tip 130 in the form of a web 3320, or alternatively, this region of the body may be left open as a void, similar to the example of Figure 13 discussed above.

[0253] Figure 34 shows a set of further examples of applicator nozzles 3401, 3402, 3403, 3404 having rounded surface engaging tip surfaces 3131 extending across tips 130 of different widths. The example applicator nozzle 3401 will be seen to have a similar configuration as the applicator nozzle 3100 in Figure 31 A, although without rounded ends 3132. In any case, this example is supplied with viscous material via a simple tubular body 110.

[0254] The example applicator nozzles 3402, 3403, 3404 respectively show progressively wider tips 130 which are supplied with viscous material via a correspondingly increasing number of conduits 3310 of the body 110. The conduits are configured to ensure that the viscous material is evenly supplied across the width of the tip 130 so that beads of viscous material may be consistently supplied from openings 140 which may be defined at any positions across the surface engaging tip surface 3131 of each example.

[0255] Figure 35 shows a further design variation in which an applicator nozzle 3500 having a rounded, tapered tip 130 provides yet another different configuration of the surface engaging tip surface 3131. Furthermore, the example of Figure 35 illustrates a further alternative arrangement for connecting the applicator nozzle 3500 to the viscous material source. [0256] In this example, an adaptor fitting 3550 is mounted to the viscous material source S when an internally threaded screw cap 3501 is threadingly engaged to a corresponding threaded portion T of the viscous material source with the adaptor fitting 3550 positioned therebetween. The adaptor fitting 3550 includes a threaded connector 3551 adapted to allow the connector 120 of the applicator nozzle 3500 to be threadingly connected to the adaptor fitting 3550. The threaded connector 3551 passes through an aperture 3502 in the screw cap 3501.

[0257] In this example, a filter 3552 is provided in the adaptor fitting 3550. The filter 3552 is for filtering solid particles or contaminants, such as dried glue particles, from viscous material supplied by the viscous material source before it is able to enter the applicator nozzle 3500. The filter 3552 may be provided in the form of a suitably configured mesh or perforated surface positioned in the threaded connector 3551 as shown, such that viscous material is required to pass through the filter 3552 to enter the applicator nozzle 3500. It will be appreciated that this arrangement can help to prevent clogging or jamming of the applicator nozzle 3500 due to foreign particles.

[0258] A further example of an applicator nozzle 3600 embodying numerous concepts discussed above with respect to other examples is depicted in Figures 36A and 36B. In this example, the applicator nozzle 3600 allows the user to define the width of the tip 130, by allowing the user to cut sections of the tip 130 from each end 361 1, 3612, and close the openings formed at each end 3611, 3612 using suitably configured end caps 3670.

[0259] In this case, the surface engaging tip surface 3131 is provided at a rounded portion of the tapered tip profile, and includes a series of cutting lines 561 positioned along the width of the tip 130. Cutting lines 561 are also provided on the end caps 3670. Accordingly, an applicator nozzle 3600 having a tip 130 and thus a surface engaging tip surface 3131 of any user desired width can be provided through appropriate modification of the tip 130. The example shown in Figure 36B illustrates a tip 130 which has had a reduced width defined by the user, in which end caps 3670 have been fitted to the ends 3611, 3612.

[0260] Turning back to Figure 36A, a further example of an adaptor fitting 3650 is also shown, which includes a different configuration of threaded connector 3651 and an enlarged filter 3652 which is sized to fit the particular connector 120 configuration of the applicator nozzle 3600. From Figures 35 and 36A, it will be seen that different adaptor fittings 3550, 3650 can be used with similar viscous materials source components and yet allow connection of applicator nozzles 3500, 3600 having different sizes and shapes of connectors 120.

[0261] Finally, Figure 37 depicts a further example of an applicator nozzle 3700 having a user definable width. In this case, the surfacing engaging tip surface 3131 is provided on a cylindrical shaped tip 130, which allows the attachment of suitable end caps using a threaded connection.

[0262] Examples of different types of end caps 3671, 3671, 3673 which may be suitable for use with this applicator nozzle 3700 are depicted in Figure 37. The first example end cap 3771 simply provides a flat cap although it will be seen that this flat cap can extend outwardly beyond the surface engaging tip surface 3131, such that it may provide edge stop functionalities similar to other examples discussed above. The second example end cap 3772 generally extends the cylindrical shape of the tip 130 and provides an additional cutting line 561 to allow further opening 140 to be provided at the end of the tip 130. The third example end cap 3773 is similar to the second example, but in this case includes a rounded end having cutting lines 561 provided across the rounded portion, to thereby allow openings 140 to be defined for the application of viscous material to a second surface positioned orthogonally to a first surface to which viscous material would be applied from the surface engaging tip surface 3131 extending across the width of the tip 130.

[0263] It will also be noted that conduits 3310 are used to supply viscous material to the tip 130 in the applicator nozzle 3700, in a further alternative arrangement. Each conduit 3310 extends to the tip 130 from an enlarged hollow junction 3710 in this case. The hollow junction 3710 allows viscous material to be supplied into the conduits with even pressure.

[0264] As discussed above, suitable applicator nozzles may be formed using plastic materials, and in some embodiments a tip 130 formed from a plastic material will have a degree of flexibility. As a result, it will be appreciated that the tip 130 may be allowed to flexibly deform if the tip 130 is pressed against the target surface in use, and this can help to ensure that the surface engaging tip surface reliably engages with the target surface across the width of the tip 130.

[0265] Accordingly, it will be understood that the surface engaging tip surface will not necessarily need to have a shape which precisely matches the target surface in its natural state, when ¾t least the tip 130 of the applicator nozzle is formed from a relatively flexible material.

[0266] For example, in embodiments where the surface engaging tip surface includes an edge, it is not essential for the edge to be straight to allow the application of viscous material to a flat target surface. If the tip 130 is formed from a suitable flexible material, then a curved edge may be provided as the surface engaging tip surface. An example of an applicator nozzle 3800 including a tip 130 having a curved edge 3831 is shown in Figure 38A. In use^^" the user may apply pressure to the applicator nozzle 3800 during application of viscous material so that the curved edge flexibly conforms to the flat target surface in use.

[0267] In some circumstances, it may be desirable to configure the surface engaging tip surface to take advantage of flexibility in the tip to ensure consistent application of viscous material from openings at different positions across the width of the tip. For instance, it will be understood that when a relatively wide tip is provided, such as in the example shown in Figure 38 A, in general the surface engaging tip surface may be capable of greater deformations near ends of the tip (i.e. extremities of the tip in the first direction) compared to central positions.

[0268] Accordingly, the surface engaging tip surface may be configured such that the end regions of the surface engaging tip surface are able to engage with the target surface before central regions as the applicator nozzle is initially brought into contact with the target surface by the user. Such an effect is illustrated in Figure 38B where the tip 130 of the applicator nozzle 3800 has just been brought into contact with the target surface, and only end regions of the curved edge 3831 have actually engaged the target surface, whilst there is a gap between a central region of the curved edge 3831 and the target surface.

[0269] The end regions will deform as increased pressure is applied, until the surface engaging tip surface is brought into engagement substantially across its entire width, as illustrated in Figure 38C where the naturally curved edge 3831 has assumed a substantially straight deformed shape conforming to the flat target surface. Thus, through appropriate application of pressure to the applicator nozzle during application, it can be ensured that beads of viscous material can be consistently applied from openings 140 formed at respective positions across the width of the tip 130. The pressure necessary to ensure engagement across the width of the surface engaging tip surface will vary depending on a range of design factors such as the material used to form the tip 130, the geometry of the tip, and the like.

[0270] A further example configuration for allowing an applicator nozzle 3900 to be connected to a viscous material source S is depicted in Figures 39A to 39D. It will be understood that the applicator nozzle 3900 is connected to the viscous material source S using an internally threaded screw cap 3901 which can be threadingly engaged to a corresponding threaded portion T of the viscous material source S as can be seen in the exploded view of Figure 39A.

[0271] The screw cap 3901 has an aperture 3902 for receiving the connector 120 of the applicator nozzle 3900 and a slot 3903 for the screw cap 3901 to be easily assembled with the applicator nozzle 3900 by passing the tip 130 through the slot 3903 and having the body 110 extend through the aperture 3902 with the connector 120 engaging the screw cap 3901 as depicted in Figures 39B and 39C. The screw cap 3901 can then be screwed onto the viscous material source S as shown in Figure 39D, such that the applicator nozzle 3900 will be securely retained in position by the screw cap 3901.

[0272] It will be appreciated that a screw cap 3901 similar to that shown in Figures 39A to 39D and described above can be used in the connection to the viscous material source for any applicator nozzle having a suitable connector configuration. The screw cap 3901 may also be used with an adaptor fitting 3550 having a filter 3552 as described above with reference to Figure 35.

[0273] As shown in Figures 40A and 40B, applicator nozzles 4000 may be provided in a configuration which allows a plurality of the applicator nozzles 4000 to be interconnected for applying viscous material from a single viscous material source S. [0274] In this example, the body 1.10 of the applicator nozzles 4000 may include a cylindrical body portion 4010 having respective complementary threaded portions 4011, 4012 at each end. As shown in Figure 40 A, a male threaded portion 401 1 of one applicator nozzle 4000 can be threadingly engaged with a female threaded portion 4012 of another applicator nozzle 4000 so that viscous material is able to flow into each applicator nozzle 4000 in use via the threaded interconnection. Threaded portions 401 1, 4012 at ends of applicator nozzles 400 that are not used to connect another applicator nozzle can be sealed with a suitably threaded end cap 4070 similar to those previously described.

[0275] As shown in Figure 40B, such an arrangement can be used to expand the width of coverage of beads of viscous material for application to a target surface. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that by connecting the body portions 4010 but leaving the tips 130 unconnected, this can allow the tips 130 of each applicator nozzle 4000 to flex independently and thus allow improved application to uneven target surfaces. It will be appreciated that similar arrangements may be used to interconnect other types of applicator nozzles as described above.

[0276] In view of the above, it will be appreciated that a wide range of different types of applicator nozzles may be provided allowing great flexibility in the types of openings 140 which may be defined across the tip 130 by the user. The above examples each provide the user with the ability to define openings 140 for applying a desired pattern of a plurality of beads of a viscous material to a surface.

[0277] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

[0278] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1) An applicator nozzle for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the applicator nozzle including:

a) a hollow body defining an internal volume;

c) a closed tip at a second end of the body, the tip including at least one surface engaging tip surface, wherein the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the at least one surface engaging tip surface to thereby define one or more openings in the tip, such that, in use, a viscous material supplied to the applicator nozzle by the viscous material source is directed to the one or more openings via the internal volume of the body to allow one or more beads of viscous material to be applied to the at least one surface from the openings.

2) An applicator nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the tip is configured to allow the user to define a plurality of openings at respective positions along the at least one surface engaging tip surface.

3) Art applicator nozzle according to claim 2, wherein one of the at least one surface engaging tip surfaces extends in a first direction to thereby allow the user to define openings that are spaced apart in the first direction.

4) An applicator nozzle according to claim 3, wherein the tip includes a substantially constant profile extending in a first direction to thereby define the surface engaging tip surface extending in the first direction.

5) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tip has a curved profile to thereby define at least one curved surface engaging tip surface.

6) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tip includes cutting guides for allowing the user to selectively define a desired configuration of openings by cutting the tip using the cutting guides.

7) An applicator nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the cutting guides are configured to allow the user to define the desired configuration of openings having at least one of:

a) predetermined opening shapes;

b) predetermined opening sizes; and, c) predetermined opening positions.

8) An applicator nozzle according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the cutting guides include at least one of:

a) visual markings for allowing the user to define openings by cutting along at least one of the visual markings;

9) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tip includes frangible portions for allowing the user to selectively define a desired configuration of openings by removing at least one frangible portion.

10) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one surface engaging tip surface includes at least one edge, and the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the at least one edge.

1 1) An applicator nozzle according to claim 10, wherein one of the at least one edges is a substantially straight edge.

12) An applicator nozzle according to claim 10 or claim 1 1, wherein the tip is configured to allow a user to define a plurality of spaced apart openings along one edge.

13) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein one of the at least one edges is a surface engaging edge.

14) An applicator nozzle according to claim 13, wherein the surface engaging edge extends in a first direction.

15) An applicator nozzle according to claim 14, wherein the tip is configured such that at least some of the openings can be spaced apart along the surface engaging edge in the first direction.

16) An applicator nozzle according to claim 13 to 15, wherein the tip tapers from the body to define a single surface engaging edge.

17) An applicator nozzle according to an one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the tip has a shape including a plurality of edges, such that the openings can be defined along one or more of the edges. 18) An applicator nozzle according to claim 17, wherein the tip has a quadrilateral shape including a first pair of parallel edges extending in a first direction and a second pair of parallel edges extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

19) An applicator nozzle according to claim 18, wherein the one or more openings can be provided in one of the first pair of parallel edges and one or more openings can be provided in one of the second pair of parallel edges, such that one or more beads of viscous material can be applied from the openings to two orthogonally arranged surfaces.

20) An applicator nozzle according to claim 18, wherein the tip tapers in the second direction away from the body.

21) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the body has a shape which tapers in a first direction from the second end to the first end.

22) An applicator nozzle according to claim 21, wherein the body has a shape which is substantially constant in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction from the second end to the first end.

23) An applicator nozzle according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein centrepoints of the tip and the connector are substantially aligned in the first direction.

24) An applicator nozzle according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein centrepoints of the tip and the connector are offset in the first direction.

25) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the applicator nozzle includes at least one brace for stiffening the body.

26) An applicator nozzle according to claim 25, wherein the brace extends outwardly from the body.

27) An applicator nozzle according to claim 26, wherein the brace is a web that is integrally formed with the body and connector.

28) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the connector is configured to connect to a cartridge for providing the viscous material source.

29) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the viscous material source has a threaded connector, and the connector of the applicator nozzle is configured to threadingly connect to the screw connector of the viscous material source.

30) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the applicator nozzle includes an adaptor fitting connected to connector, the adaptor fitting being configured to connect to the viscous material source. 31) An applicator nozzle according to claim 30, wherein the adaptor fitting includes a filter.

32) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the applicator nozzle includes an edge tab extending from a side of the tip, the edge tab being for abutting an edge of an article during the application of a plurality of beads of viscous material to a surface of the article extending from the edge, to thereby control the position of the beads relative to the edge.

33) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the applicator nozzle includes a removable cover for covering the tip when the applicator nozzle is not in use.

34) An applicator nozzle according to claim 33, wherein the cover is integrally attached to the tip via tabs extending from sides of the tip, and the cover can be detached from the tip by cutting the tabs.

35) An applicator nozzle according to claim 34, wherein the cover can be detached by cutting one of the tabs such that at least a portion of the tab remains attached to the tip to thereby provide an edge tab.

36) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the applicator nozzle is formed as a single part having the body, connector and tip integrally formed.

37) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the applicator nozzle is formed as an assembly including at least separate tip and body parts.

38) An applicator nozzle according to claim 37, wherein the tip part and the body part are configured to allow the user to selectively remove respective portions thereof to thereby modify dimensions of the applicator nozzle when the tip part and the body part are assembled.

39) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein the applicator nozzle is formed as an assembly including:

b) two caps for closing the open sides of the body part.

40) An applicator nozzle according to claim 39, wherein the body part is configured to allow the user to selectively remove portions of the body at the sides to thereby reduce a length of one of the at least one surface engaging tip surfaces, the caps being configured to close the sides of the body part formed after the portions of the body are removed. 41) An applicator nozzle according to claim 40, wherein the body includes internal bulkheads having apertures defined therein, such that when a portion of the body is removed adjacent a bulkhead, one of the end caps can be provided in the aperture to thereby close the respective side of the body part.

42) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein one of the caps includes an edge tab.

43) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein the caps provide extended portions of the tip from which portions can be removed to define additional openings.

44) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 43, wherein the tip includes a plurality of tip extensions extending away from the body, the tip extensions being configured to allow the user to selectively remove a plurality of portions of the tip extensions to thereby define the plurality of openings in the tip.

45) An applicator nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 45, wherein the tip is formed from a flexible material and at least the surface engaging tip surface being configured to deform when the tip is pressed against the at least one surface in use, to thereby allow the surface engaging tip surface to conform to the at least one surface.

46) An apparatus for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the apparatus including:

a) a viscous material source; and,

b) an applicator nozzle according to any one of the claims 1 to 45.

47) An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the apparatus includes two applicator nozzles each connected to a respective viscous material source, the apparatus being configured to allow beads of viscous material from each of the viscous material surfaces to be simultaneously applied to the same surface.

48) An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein each of the applicator nozzles includes tip extensions configured such that the tip extensions of the two applicator nozzles can be interleaved to provide a single effective edge along which openings can be defined.

49) An apparatus according to claim 47 or claim 48 wherein the two applicator nozzles are integrally formed as a single part.

50) An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the applicator nozzle includes two distinct internal volumes each having at least one corresponding tip region along which openings can be defined and the viscous material source is configured to supply a different type of viscous material to each of the internal volumes of the applicator nozzle.

51) An applieator nozzle for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the applicator nozzle including:

a) a hollow body defining an internal volume;

52) An applicator nozzle for applying a viscous material to at least one surface, the applicator nozzle including:

a) a hollow body defining an internal volume;

c) a closed tip at a second end o the body, the tip extending in first and second orthogonal directions, the extension of the tip being greater in the first direction than in the second direction, wherein the tip is configured to allow a user to selectively remove one or more portions of the tip at respective positions along the tip to thereby define one or more openings in the tip, such that, in use, a viscous material supplied to the applicator nozzle by the viscous material source is directed to the one or more openings via the internal volume of the body to allow one or more beads of viscous material to be applied to the at least one surface from the openings.