WO2014036190A2

WO2014036190A2 - Masking tape sealant

Info

Publication number: WO2014036190A2
Application number: PCT/US2013/057164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dan Pool
Original assignee: Dan Pool
Priority date: 2012-08-28
Filing date: 2013-08-28
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Also published as: WO2014036190A3

Abstract

A method and apparatus for storing and applying a transparent liquid sealant to the edge of masking tape for the purpose of sealing the edge of masking tape and therefore preventing paint bleed comprising of a transparent masking tape sealant liquid available in multiple viscosities and sheens in combination with application methods including, a storage bottle with a flow controlled mechanism and a specially shaped foam applicator head for angles, a storage bottle with a flow controlled mechanism and a bristle brush applicator, an application method employing an aerosol spray can and an application method employing a pump spray bottle.

Description

Masking Tape Sealant

Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing dates of United States Provisional Application No. 61/694,202 filed August 28, 2012. The disclosure United States Provisional Application 61/694,202 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to masking tape for painting, specifically to creating a good seal on the edge of the tape for masking textured areas. The present invention relates to the various methods painters use to create paint lines and borders. Often in the course of painting, painters want to create a crisp border and have various methods to do so which the present invention improves upon.

Background of the Invention

Masking tapes are notorious for allowing paint to bleed under the edge when applied over textured surfaces. Tapes with paint-blocking formulas exist on the current market, but often have difficulty truly blocking paint from bleeding under the edge of the tape in moderate to heavy wall texture applications. User satisfaction with this more expensive type of masking tape tends to correlate with whether the application is in a smooth-wall environment or a textured-wall environment. Therefore, we see a need to improve the paint barrier found in both standard painter's masking tape and the more expensive paint blocking masking tapes.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention meets this need by providing a method and apparatus for applying a transparent liquid sealant over the edge of the masking tape thereby creating an impermeable barrier against paint bleeding under the tape's edge. Paint can then safely be applied over the tape's edge with no risk of bleeding, creating a perfect finished edge, even in areas of moderate to heavy surface texture.

In another aspect of the invention, the sealant can be formulated in multiple viscosities— with lower viscosity for use with less textured surfaces and higher viscosity for use with more textured surfaces— thereby better matching ease and effectiveness of application to whatever the degree of texture a user may encounter.

In another aspect of the invention, the sealant can be formulated to dry with multiple surface sheens— from matte to satin to various degrees of gloss— and therefore better match the surrounding paint sheens once all masking and painting has been completed. The result is that any sealant that bled under the edge of the masking tape will naturally blend in with the surrounding paint sheen, and being clear (see- through), will be generally indiscernible to casual observation.

In another aspect of the invention, the sealant' s container acts as a sealant dispenser, employing a porous membrane (such as a sponge) through which the sealant disburses and flows to the surface of the masking tape edge. This porous membrane may also be shaped to function over both flat-surface applications and into corner- surface applications of ideal fluid disbursement in either type of surface.

In another aspect of the invention, the sealant dispenser has the capacity to regulate the flow of sealant to the edge of the masking tape— with less sealant flow for use with less textured surfaces and more sealant flow for use with more textured surfaces— thereby applying the ideal amount of sealant to the masking tape edge for whatever the degree of texture a user may encounter. The particular means of flow regulation can vary greatly— generally relying upon control of fluid volume through an artery— and may specifically include a helical twisting mechanism, a pull-out/push-in mechanism, a twisting channel- matching mechanism, or other means to control the volume of the fluid artery between the container and porous application membrane.

In another aspect of the invention, the sealant could also be applied with a brush, sponge, aerosol spray, spray bottle, or other method, being essentially liquid in nature during application.

In another aspect of the invention, the sealant will perform its function even while still wet to the touch, having sealed the masking tape edge even in this state. This allows paint to be applied almost immediately over the sealant and for the masking tape to be removed as soon as paint has been applied to the edge, freeing the user from having to use a razor blade or other device to separate the masking tape from the sealed edge when dry.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a side view of the sealant in a bottle with a flat angled foam applicator tip alongside a sealant bottle with a detached flat angled foam;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bottle with a flat angled foam applicator tip applying the sealant to an edge of a piece of masking tape;

Figure 3 is a side view of the sealant in a bottle with an applicator tip shaped to fit into corner areas alongside a sealant bottle with the corner applicator top detached;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a bottle with a corner applicator tip applying the sealant to an edge of a piece of masking tape in a corner;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sealant being applied to the masking tape in an aerosol can; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sealant being applied to the masking tape in a manual pump spray bottle;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the sealant being applied to the masking tape in a bottle with a brush tip applicator;

Figure 8 is a side view of a sealant applicator composed of a bottle with a brush tip applicator with a helical twist mechanism;

Figure 9 is a side view of a sealant applicator composed of a bottle with a brush tip applicator with a push-pull mechanism;

Figure 10 is a side view of a masking tape sealant applicator with a twisting channel mechanism alongside a masking tape sealant applicator with the twisting channel mechanism expanded;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a masking tape sealant applicator with a twisting channel mechanism applying sealant to the edge of a piece of masking tape;

Figure 12 is a side view of an aperture bottle alongside a bottle with the aperture mechanism expanded;

Figure 13 is a side view of three aperture bottles with the control shuttle in varying positions to allow for different flow rate settings; and

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the sealant being applied to an edge of a piece of masking tape in an aperture bottle.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

With reference to Figure 1, the sealant can be stored in a bottle 10 with a porous membrane, such as a flat angled foam applicator tip 11. In Figure 1 A, the applicator tip 11 is attached to the bottle 10. In Figure IB, the applicator tip 11 is detached from the bottle 10, revealing a narrow orifice 12 in the bottle through which the sealant disburses and flows to the porous membrane where it is then applied to the surface of the desired area.

In Figure 2, the bottle 10 with foam applicator tip 11 is pressed against an edge of a piece of masking tape 13. The sealant is being disbursed from the bottle, through the narrow orifice to the applicator tip 11 where it is then transferred to the edge 14 of masking tape 13. The sealant seals the edge of the masking tape to the wall or other surface. The desired area where the sealant was applied is then painted. The masking tape is removed, revealing a clean paint edge with no paint bleed.

In another embodiment of the present invention in Figure 3, the sealant can be stored in a bottle 10 with a porous membrane 15 which is wedge-shaped at a right angle to fit into inside corners and seal the edge of masking tape placed in corners. In Figure 3A, the wedge shaped applicator tip 15 is attached to the bottle 10. In Figure 3B, the wedge-shaped applicator tip 15 is detached from the bottle 10, revealing a narrow orifice 16 in the bottle through which the sealant disbursed and flows to the porous membrane where it is then applied to the surface of the desired area. In Figure 4, the bottle 10 with foam applicator tip 15 is pressed against an edge 14 of a piece of masking tape 13 which is placed in corner 17. The sealant is being disbursed from the bottle, through the narrow orifice to the applicator tip 15 where it is then transferred to the edge of the masking tape, sealing the corner edge piece of the masking tape.

With reference to Figure 5, in another embodiment of the present invention, the sealant 18 is stored in an aerosol can 19 which acts as a method of dispensing the material. The sealant is disbursed from the aerosol spray can 19 and atomizing nozzle 20 to the edge 14 of masking tape edge 13. With reference to Figure 6, in another embodiment of the present invention, the sealant 18 is stored in a pump spray bottle 21. The sealant is disbursed from the pump spray bottle 21 and atomizing nozzle 22 to the edge 14 of masking tape 13.

With reference to Figure 7, in another embodiment of the present invention, the sealant is stored in a bottle 10 and then disbursed from the bottle 10 to the edge 14 of masking tape 13 by means of a bristle brush 23 with a flow-controlled mechanism. The dispenser head has the capacity to regulate the flow of the sealant to the edge of the masking tape by means of various mechanisms which can be closed or incrementally opened in order to control fluid flow volume. With reference to Figure 8A, the brush tip 23 is attached to the bottle 10. With reference to Figure 8B, the brush tip 23 is detached from the bottle 10, revealing helical threads 24 which allow the brush tip 23 to be twisted to vary the flow rate of the sealant through the fluid orifices 25 to the brush tip where it can then be applied to the desired area. Twisting one way opens and increases the fluid flow and twisting the other way closes and reduces the fluid flow, from fully closed to fully open. One or more orifices 25 in the sealant container cap's conical surface 26 allows fluid to pass from the sealant container into the flow control volume, which is the area between the conical surfaces, and an artery in the fluid regulator allows the fluid to flow to the means of application which in this embodiment is a brush tip. With reference to Figure 9A, the brush tip 23 is attached to the bottle 10 by means of o-rings or ribs which allow the sealant flow to be varied by means of a pull-out/push-in mechanism which controls the volume of fluid flow between the two internal conical surfaces. With reference to Figure 9B, the brush tip 23 is detached from the bottle 10, revealing the o-rings or ribs 27. The brush tip 23 can be pulled out from or pushed further onto the o-rings so that the desired amount of sealant can pass through to the desired area via orifices 28 in the sealant container cap's conical surface 29. With reference to figure 10A, a masking tape sealant applicator can be composed of a twisting channel-matching rotationally- controlled artery 30 attached to a bottle 10. With reference to 10B, the twisting channel- matching rotationally-controlled artery 30 allows selection of an indexed flow rate, from closed to multiple flow rates, by twisting the selector 31. The selector 31 aligns with a fixed cap 32 which has a plurality of different aperture diameter settings (32a, 32b, and 32c) of various sizes. The sealant travels from the bottle 10 through the fixed cap 32, then through none of or one of the plurality of diameter sizes (32a, 32b, or 32c) depending upon where the selector 30 is set. The sealant then flows through an orifice 33 in the selector and into a porous membrane 34 where it can then be applied to the desired surface. In Figure 11, the sealant is being applied to an edge 14 of a piece of masking tape 13 by means of the twisting channel-matching rotationally-controlled artery 30.

With reference to Figure 12, the masking tape sealing dispenser is comprised of a bottle 10 with a porous membrane applicator tip 35, a volume control shuttle 36, and an applicator cap 37. In Figure 12A the porous membrane applicator tip 35, the volume control shuttle 36, and the applicator cap 37 are attached to bottle 10. In Figure 12B, the components are expanded. When the volume control shuttle 36 slides upon various indexing notches 38 on the applicator cap 37, the variable-width slot 39 on the control shuttle allows multiple flow rates to be applied via the applicator cap opening 40. Different parts of the variable- width slot allow the flow rate to vary depending upon where the control shuttle is placed.

With reference to Figures 13 A, 13B, and 13C, the volume control shuttle 36 is placed on applicator cap 37 and shows various scenarios for different flow settings. In Figure 13 A, the volume control shuttle 36 is placed on the lower-most notch. The variable-width slot 39 does not line up with the applicator cap opening 40, so no sealant can be dispersed, with the applicator therefore being closed. In Figure 13B, the volume control shuttle 36 is placed on a middle notch. The middle of the variable-width slot 39 aligns with the applicator cap opening 40 so that some of the applicator cap opening 40 is covered, resulting in a low flow rate for the sealant. In Figure 13C, the volume control shuttle 36 is placed on the upper-most notch level. The bottom of the variable-width slot 39 aligns with the applicator cap opening 40 so that all of the applicator cap opening is exposed, resulting in a high flow rate. In governing the flow rate for low-viscosity fluids, we might similarly use a low-flow setting, and for high-viscosity fluids a high- flow setting.

With reference to Figure 14, the bottle 10 with volume control shuttle 36 is pressed against an edge 14 of a piece of masking tape 13. The sealant is being disbursed from the bottle, through the applicator tip where it is then transferred to the edge 14 of the masking tape 13.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to explain the present invention and its application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth in the drawings and descriptions will come to mind to one skilled in the art. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the previous description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example, and that this description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exact form disclosed. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

Having described the invention, the following is claimed:

1. A method and apparatus for storing and applying a transparent liquid sealant to the edge of masking tape for the purpose of sealing the edge of masking tape and therefore preventing paint bleed comprising the steps of; transferring a liquid sealant from a container through an applicator and then to the edge of the masking tape, painting the sealed edge of masking tape, lifting and removing masking tape revealing a clean paint edge with no paint bleed.

2. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the

applicator employs a porous membrane (such as a sponge) and a flow controlling mechanism through which the sealant flows and disburses to the surface of the masking tape edge;

3. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the porous membrane is wedge shaped at a right angle to fit into inside corners and seal the edge of masking tape placed in corners;

4. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1 , in which the

applicator employs a bristle brush with a flow controlling mechanism through which the sealant flows and disburses to the bristles of the brush and the surface of the masking tape edge;

5. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the

applicator has the capacity to regulate the flow of sealant to the edge of the masking tape relying upon an aperture which can be closed or incrementally opened as a means of controlling fluid flow volume, where the fluid flows through an artery defined by a modular aperture which can be changed from a large opening to a small opening in indexed or analog steps as a means of controlling fluid flow volume to the means of application (such as a sponge or brush).

6. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the applicator has the capacity to regulate the flow of sealant to the edge of the masking tape relying upon matched helical threads between the fluid regulator and sealant container cap, such that twisting one way opens and increases the fluid flow and twisting the other way closes and reduces the fluid flow, from fully closed (touching conical surfaces) to fully open (maximum space between conical surfaces). One or more orifices in the sealant container cap's conical surface allows fluid to pass from the sealant container into the flow control volume (between the conical surfaces), and an artery in the fluid regulator allows the fluid to flow to the means of application (such as a sponge or brush).

7. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the

applicator has the capacity to regulate the flow of sealant to the edge of the masking tape relying upon a pull-out/push-in motion controlled via an artery with o-rings or snug- fitting ribs between the fluid regulator and sealant container cap, providing enough friction between the parts as to hold a given position of fluid volume from fully closed where the conical surfaces touch to fully open where the conical surfaces have maximum space between them. One or more orifices in the sealant container cap's conical surface allows fluid to pass from the sealant container into the flow control volume (between the conical surfaces), and an artery in the fluid regulator allows the fluid to flow to the means of application (such as a sponge or brush).

8. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the

applicator has the capacity to regulate the flow of sealant to the edge of the masking tape, relying upon a twisting channel-matching rotationally-controlled artery with a plurality of different settings— closed as well as multiple flow rates. Twisting the selector changes the settings, with an index that stops the selector in the proper place over any given setting, each selected setting having a different aperture diameter, each having its own rate of fluid flow allowing the controlled fluid to flow to the means of application (such as a sponge or brush).

9. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the sealant's container acts as a method of dispensing, employing an aerosol spray can and atomizing nozzle through which the sealant is disbursed and transmitted to the surface of the masking tape edge;

10. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the sealant's container acts as a method of dispensing, employing a pump spray bottle and atomizing nozzle through which the sealant is disbursed and transmitted to the surface of the masking tape edge;

11. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, employing a

transparent solution which will perform its function of sealing the edge of masking tape while still wet to the touch and before completely drying, allowing the masking tape to be removed without the need to scribe the edge of masking tape with a razor;

12. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 11, employing a

transparent water-based solution compatible with latex and acrylic paint;

13. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 11, employing a

transparent solvent-based (petrochemical distillate) solution compatible with solvent-based paint;

14. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 11, employing a

transparent solution which employs evaporative agents that minimize traces of sealant solution after performing its sealing function;

15. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 11, employing a transparent water-based acrylic solution;

16. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the liquid sealant is formulated in variable viscosities, from a thin water-like viscosity, up to a thick paint-like viscosity in order to seal masking tape for use on various surface textures to be painted;

17. The masking tape sealing method and dispenser of claim 1, in which the liquid sealant is formulated to provide multiple surface sheens such as gloss, satin or flat finish in order to match with surrounding paint surface sheens such as gloss, satin or flat paint.