FIELD

[0001] The present invention is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus, system, and method configured for embedding joint tape into a drywall or wall board joint using a particular joint compound, in particular for controlled joint tape embedding of joint tape. The present invention, can include determining the bonding or adhesive characteristics of the joint compound and joint tape, and determining and characterizing the attributes and "feel" of the joint compound.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A joint located between adjacent sheets of drywall or wall board consists of tape embedded within joint compound. The embedding process has many factors, which can influence the adhesive strength, measured by ASTM C474, between the joint compound and the tape. The influencing factors include knife angle, knife pressure, amount of compound on the knife before, during, and after embedding the tape, all of which have different amounts of influence.

[0003] The measurement of bond strength relies on the joint compound's ability to bond, the tape's ability to bond, and the embedding practice used. When a person is trying to identify the bonding ability of only the joint tape or only the joint compound by conducting a bond test (ASTM C474 or otherwise), it is impossible to determine how much of the result was influenced by the other two factors. By using a controlled tape embedding apparatus, the embedding practice used is consistent across all tests regardless of the operator or other personal factors. Therefore, the embedding practice influence is fixed and the ability of only the joint tape to bond or only the joint compound to bond can be determined.

[0004] Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus, system, and method, which controls these factors, or the mechanics, of embedding joint tape into joint compound to provide consistent and accurate results.

[0005] Further, while spreading wet building material such as joint compound spackle, etc., applicators feel the material and prefer a specific feel of the product. This feel is the result of how the material flows due to the application forces while being spread, typically by some type of application device (e.g. knife). There exists a need to measure forces on the application device during the spreading operation. Specifically, it is desired to measure one or more components of forces involved with spreading the building material (e.g. joint compound) at specific parameters.

[0006] Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus, system, and method for accessing or determining the forces on the application device to analyze and characterize the "feel" of the joint compound in a standardized and meaningful manner, which information can be used by the manufacturer of joint compound and users (e.g. applicators) purchasing and applying joint compounds.

SUMMARY

[0007] The presently described subject matter is directed to determining the ability of joint tape to bond.

[0008] The presently described subject matter is directed to determining the ability of joint compound to bond.

[0009] The presently described subject matter is directed to determining the ability of joint tape and joint compound to bond to each other and/or bond to drywall or wall board.

[0010] The presently described subject matter is directed to an apparatus, system, and method of determining the ability of joint tape to bond and/or the ability of joint compound to bond to each other and/or to bond to drywall or wall board.

[0011]The presently described subject matter is directed to an apparatus, system, and method of quantifying the hand application properties of joint compound.

[0012] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm.

[0013] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the knife is provided with one or more weights. [0014]The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the knife is provided with one or more weights, and wherein the one or more weights on the knife can be changed.

[0015] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the pivoting arm is provided with one or more weights.

[0016] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the pivoting arm is provided with one or more weights, and wherein the one or more weights on the pivoting arm can be changed.

[0017] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the knife is provided with one or more weights, and wherein the pivoting arm is provided with one or more weights.

[0018] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the knife is provided with a reinforcement bar configured to reinforce an edge of the knife. [0019] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the knife is provided with one or more weights, and wherein the pivoting arm is provided with one or more weights, and wherein the knife is provided with a reinforcement bar configured to reinforce an edge of the knife.

[0020] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the knife is provided with one or more weights, and wherein the pivoting arm is provided with one or more weights, wherein an upper end of the pivoting arm is pivotably connected to the slidable carriage and a lower end of the pivoting arm is fixed to the knife.

[0021] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, further comprising a joint compound applicator for delivering joint compound to the knife during operation.

[0022] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, further comprising a joint compound applicator for delivering joint compound to the knife during operation, wherein the joint applicator comprises a joint compound pump having tubing connected to a nozzle located to supply joint compound to the knife.

[0023] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, wherein the spaced apart rails are connected to cross-members of the frame located at ends of the frame.

[0024] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, further comprising an actuator configured to move the slidable carriage.

[0025] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, further comprising an actuator configured to move the slidable carriage, further comprising one or more sensors configured to measure force on the knife during operation.

[0026] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and a knife connected to the to the swing arm, further comprising an actuator configured to move the slidable carriage, further comprising one or more sensors for detecting the location and speed of movement of the slidable carriage during operation.

[0027] The presently described subject matter is directed to a joint tape embedding system configured for controlled embedding of joint tape into a drywall joint using a particular joint compound, the apparatus comprising or consisting of a frame; a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame; a carriage slidably supported by said rails; a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; a knife connected to the to the swing arm; one or more electrical sensors to measure physical characteristics of spreading or application of the joint compound into a joint; and a computer for receiving input signals from the one or more electrical sensors and configured to provide quantitative assessment of the feel attributes of the joint compound.

[0028] The presently described subject matter is directed to a method for controlled embedding of joint tape into a drywall joint using a particular joint compound, the method comprising or consisting of providing a measuring device comprising a knife applicator; providing a supply of joint compound to be measured to the knife applicator; using the knife applicator apply joint compound to embed the joint tape into a drywall or wall board joint ; measuring one or more physical characteristics involved with the spreading or application of the joint compound using the knife applicator; quantitatively assessing the particular joint compound using the measured physical characteristics; and determining the feel of the particular joint compound expressed in a manner understandable to users of joint compounds.

[0029] The first aspect of the invention relates to a tape embedding device that can be used as an engineering control for ensuring repeatable and reproducible results. This device provides for controlled tape embedding in joint compound. This device also obtains properties of a joint formed by tape embedded within joint compound. The tape embedding process has many factors that can influence the adhesive strength, measured by ASTM C474, between joint compound and tape. The influencing factors include knife angle, knife pressure, amount of compound on the knife before, during, and after embedding the tape; all of which have different amounts of influence.

Measurement of bond strength relies on the joint compound's ability to bond, the tape's ability to bond, and the embedding practice used. When a person is trying to identify the bonding ability of only the tape or only the compound by conducting a bond test (ASTM C474 or otherwise), it is impossible to determine how much of the result was influenced by the other two factors. The present invention includes an apparatus which controls these factors, or the mechanics, of embedding tape to achieve repeatable and reproducible results. By using a controlled embedding apparatus, the embedding practice used is consistent across all tests regardless of the operator or other personal factors. Therefore, the embedding practice influenced is fixed and the ability of only the tape to bond or only the compound to bond can be determined. This controlled embedding apparatus includes a supporting structure (support frame), knife applicator, and material dispenser (building material applicator). The knife applicator will move at specified angle and speed and will have sensors to measure force, drag, and knife deflection during the application process. The operating parameters and measurements are processed by a computer to result in a quantitative assessment of the material.

[0030] In addition to providing a device for controlled measurement of bond strength of joint compound of a joint or measurement of properties of the joint itself, a second aspect of the invention relates to measuring or determining or characterizing the feel of building materials during their application. While spreading wet building materials such as joint compound, textures, spackle, etc., customers applying the product material feel the product material and prefer a specific feel of the product material. This feel is the result of how the material flows due to application forces while being spread, typically by some type of application knife. These forces can be measured by a device of the invention that measures multiple components of the forces involved in spreading wet building material at specific parameters. Thus, instead of tape embedding, the present invention can use the above-described controlled tape embedding apparatus for measuring the feel of building materials during their application. Thus, the device can be used to quantify properties of a product which customers prefer. As described above, this device includes a supporting structure (support frame), knife applicator, and material dispenser (building material applicator). The knife applicator will move at specified angle and speed and will have sensors to measure force, drag, and knife deflection during the application process. The operating parameters and measurements are processed by a computer to result in a quantitative assessment of the material.

[0031]A first purpose of this invention is to accurately and reproducibly measure the amount of adhesion between joint tape and joint compound. The amount of adhesion between joint tape and joint compound is dependent on the bonding ability of the tape, joint compound, and the application or embedding process. When designing joint compound or joint tape it is important to measure its bonding capability. To accurately, repeatedly, and reproducibly measure the bonding ability between a joint tape and a joint compound it is necessary to remove the influence of the embedding process as a contributing factor to the result of the test. The device of the present invention removes the influence of the embedding process as a contributing factor when testing the adhesive strength between joint tape and joint compound. Thus, in order to control the embedding practice of an individual, the invention is directed to an apparatus which is fixed in its knife angle, downward pressure, and the knife's ability to flex. The apparatus provides an engineering control to enable multiple users to get the same result when using the same compound and tape. To facilitate the purpose of tape embedding, preferably the device has a swing arm able to lift and swing back to a certain amount and then stop (this is useful for cleaning the bottom of the knife), and has a handle attached to the top of weights of the device.

[0032] Another purpose of this invention is more generally to use the device to quantify the hand application properties of joint compound, texture products, spackle, or any other knife applied wet building material. Building materials, such as joint compound, texture products, and spackle, are preferred by customers for various reasons. Application styles and techniques vary from one customer to another and each customer looks for certain physical attributes when hand applying products using a knife, trowel, skip trowel, and knock-down methods, etc. Customers have always communicated their needs and preferences by associating physical application "feel" to the products or describing physical attributes of the products using common jobsite terminology (non-technical) to the products. These physical attributes can be described using terms such as "loose", "long flow", "bodied", "slick", "gloppy", "high drag", "gritty", etc. It is often challenging to scientifically depict, understand and quantify these physical attributes. To develop products that could meet certain requirements and attributes of interest, the present invention measures the product in the device of the invention and the measured results relate to the "feel" described by the customers. This invention provides an effective / reproducible / repeatable means of uniformly applying the building materials and quantifying / measuring the overall force/work as a result of existing external forces, friction, shear, etc.

[0033] Although the device is described above (and below) as including a knife for applying the joint compound, the device could apply the material with a knife, trowel, or other commonly used implement to apply /spread the relevant building material. The device of the present invention can also be operated to reproduce the motions of common building material application techniques such as skip troweling.

Apparatus or Device

[0034] The invention device or apparatus itself includes a support frame, a sliding rail, a swing arm, and a weighted knife. [0035] In particular, the apparatus or device for measuring the feel of building materials during application or accurately and reproducibly measuring the amount of adhesion between joint tape and joint compound includes the following parts:

1 ) a support frame;

2) a sliding rail;

3) a swing arm; and

4) a knife applicator installed on the swing arm, the knife applicator being weighted, the knife applicator being slidably supported by the support frame.

[0036] The sliding rails ensures the user has a straight pull down stroke, holds the knife's butt end at a constant, but adjustable, height so the angle of the knife is fixed, and prevents any roll or yaw of the knife from occurring, and is the handle used to pull the weighted knife so the user has no influence on the knife embedding.

[0037] The swing arm allows the knife to lay flat on the surface even if height is adjusted and allows the knife to respond to any large perturbations in the surface, and enables the user to flip the knife back to rest on the L channel so the underside of the knife blade can be easily cleaned.

[0038] The weighted knife ensures a constant embedding force in two areas of the knife, and has an eye bolt for easy gripping of the weighted knife.

System

[0039] The invention provides a system for measuring the feel of building materials during their application as well as being useable for controlled tape embedding in joint compound including the following:

1 ) a support frame;

2) a knife (or other common tool) applicator slidably supported by the support frame;

3) a building material applicator configured to supply building material to the knife applicator;

4) one or more electrical sensors to measure physical characteristics of spreading or application of the building material onto a surface; and 5) a computer and/or central processing unit (CPU) for receiving input signals from the one or more electrical sensors and configured to provide quantitative assessment of feel attributes of the test material.

Detailed features

1 ) sensors measure force, drag, and knife deflection of knife applicator during spreading or application of building material.

Method for Controlled Tape Embedding in Joint Compound

[0040] In the first aspect, the method of the invention provides controlled tape embedding in joint compound to facilitate measuring the amount of adhesion between the joint tape and the joint compound.

Steps

1 ) providing the above-described measuring device comprising a knife (or other tool) applicator;

2) providing a supply of building material, namely joint compound, to be supplied to the knife applicator;

3) using the knife applicator to apply joint compound to a surface, then apply the tape, and then apply more joint compound (however, the last application of joint compound is optional);

4) measuring one or more physical characteristics involved with the

spreading or application of the building material using the knife applicator; and

5) quantitatively assessing the building material using the measured

physical characteristics.

Detailed features

1 ) the knife (or other tool) applicator is fitted with one or more electrical sensors to measure the one or more component forces;

2) electrical output signals of the one or more electrical sensors are received and processed by central processing unit of a computer configured to provide quantitative assessment of feel attributes of the test material;

3) the measuring device comprises a support frame for slidably supporting the knife applicator;

4) the measuring device comprises a dispenser (building material applicator) for applying the test building material to the knife applicator; and

5) force, drag, and knife deflection of the knife applicator are measured during application of the building material.

[0041] The invention has been used to quantitatively measure the bonding performance of paper tape. This measure helps formulators interpret their tape bond result when testing new formulations of the joint compound. Every time a formulator wants to measure the bonding performance of their current tape, he or she would conduct a standardized test and input the results into an Excel sheet. This device was also used to measure the bonding performance of different joint compounds.

Method for measuring the feel of building materials

[0042] In the second aspect, the method of the invention for measuring the feel of building materials during their application or measures the amount of adhesion between joint tape and joint compound.

Steps

1 ) providing the above-described measuring device comprising a knife (or other tool) applicator;

2) providing a supply of building material to be supplied to the knife

applicator;

3) spreading the building material onto a surface using the knife

applicator;

4) measuring one or more physical characteristics involved with the

spreading or application of the building material using the knife applicator; and 5) quantitatively assessing the building material using the measured physical characteristics

Detailed features

1 ) the knife (or other tool) applicator is fitted with one or more electrical sensors to measure the one or more component forces;

2) electrical output signals of the one or more electrical sensors are received and processed by computer configured to provide quantitative assessment of feel attributes of the test material;

3) the measuring device comprises a support frame for slidably supporting the knife applicator;

4) the measuring device comprises a dispenser (building material applicator) for applying the test building material to the knife applicator; and

5) force, drag, and knife deflection of the knife applicator are measured during application of the building material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a joint tape embedding apparatus according to the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a top planar view of the joint tape embedding apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

[0045] FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the joint tape embedding apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

[0046] FIG. 4 is an opposite end elevational view of the joint tape embedding apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

[0047] FIG 5 is a detailed broken away end perspective view of the slidable carriage with knife of the joint embedding apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

[0048] FIG 6 is a detailed broken away side elevational view of the slidable carriage with knife of the joint embedding apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

[0049] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of another joint tape embedding apparatus according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] A joint tape embedding apparatus 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 -4.

[0051] The joint tape embedding apparatus 10 comprises a frame 12 having horizontal side members 12a, horizontal cross-members 12b, and vertical legs 12c connected together into the frame 12. For example, the frame 12 is made of tubing sections (e.g. rectangular steel tubing sections) welded and/or fastened together to assemble the frame 12. A set of resilient pads 12d are applied to the bottom ends of the vertical legs 12c to maintain the frame 12 stationary during use.

[0052] A pair of spaced apart guide rails 14 (e.g. made of solid or tubular round bar stock) is supported by the frame 12. Specifically, the opposite ends 14a of each guide rail 14 is connected to the cross-members 12b of the frame 12 by connectors 16 having threaded fasteners 16a (FIG. 1 ).

[0053] A slidable carriage 18 supported by the pair of spaced apart rails 14 is shown in detail in FIGS. 1 , 5, and 6. The slidable carriage 18 comprises a cross-member 20 (e.g. made of bar stock having angled cross-sectional profile) fitted with linear bearings 22 (FIG. 5) configured to glide along the spaced apart guide rails 14.

[0054] The carriage 18 further comprises a support block 24 (FIG. 5) having a swing arm pivot pin 26 (FIG. 6). The support block 24 is mounted on the cross-member 20 (FIG. 5). A swing arm 28 having a through hole 28a at an upper end thereof is fitted onto the swing arm pivot pin 26 and locked onto the end of the swing arm pivot pin 26 by a retainer 30 (e.g. clip, pin, cotter pin). The swing arm 28 is then "free" to pivot about the swing arm pivot pin 26. An upper edge 20a (FIG. 5) of the cross-member 20 can serve as a stop for the swing arm 28 when the swing arm is lifted upwardly and then coming into contact with the upper edge 20a.

[0055] A lower end of the swing arm 28 is fitted with a knife 32 having a knife edge 32a. The knife 32 can be fitted with one or more reinforcement bars 34 (e.g. made of metal bar stock) on an upper surface of the knife 32, as shown in FIG. 6, to prevent the knife 32 from bowing or crowing along its lower working edge. For example, the reinforcement bar 34 can be fastened, adhered, soldered, and/or welded to an upper surface of the knife 32. Further, one or more weights 36 can be added to the knife 32 (e.g. fitted on top of the reinforcement bar 34) to provide a downward force onto the tip of the knife 32. [0056] In addition, one or more weights 38 can be fitted to the swing arm 28 (FIG. 6) to provide downward force on swing arm 28 to cause the knife 32 to bend (FIG. 6) during application of joint compound to the dry wall joint. For example, an eye bolt 40, upper washer 42, and lower washer can be used to fasten the one or more weights 38 to the swing arm 28. Specifically, a threaded end of the eye bolt 40 is threaded into a threaded hole in the top edge of the swing bar 28 (FIG. 6).

OPERATION

[0057] The joint tape embedding apparatus 10 can be manually operated. For example, a pair of dry wall panels are placed together and in edge contact with each other underneath the joint tape embedding apparatus 10. A joint between the adjacent dry wall panels is centered along the center longitudinal axis of joint tape embedding apparatus 10.

[0058]A quantity of joint compound is placed on the joint, and then the knife 32 is dragged along the joint by manually pulling or pushing the slidable carriage 18 to spread the joint compound along the joint. A force gauge can be applied between the slidable carriage 18 and the user's hand to determine the amount of force required to move the slidable carriage 18 in steady state.

[0059] The amount of weight applied by weights 38 can be varied run-to-run to further define an operational profile of the particular joint compound being tested and to determine or characterized the "feel" of the particular joint compound.

ENHANCEMENT

[0060] Another joint tape embedding apparatus 1 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 7.

[0061]The joint tape embedding apparatus 1 10 comprises a frame 1 12 having horizontal side members 1 12a, horizontal cross-members 1 12b, and vertical legs 1 12c connected together into the frame 1 12. For example, the frame 1 12 is made of tubing sections (e.g. rectangular steel tubing sections) welded and/or fastened together to assemble the frame 1 12. A set of resilient pads 1 12d are applied to the bottom ends of the vertical legs 1 12c to maintain the frame 1 12 stationary during use. [0062] A pair of spaced apart guide rails 1 14 (e.g. made of solid or tubular round bar stock) is supported by the frame 1 12. Specifically, the opposite ends 1 14a of each guide rail 1 14 is connected to the cross-members 1 12b of the frame 1 12 by connectors 1 16 having threaded fasteners 1 16a.

[0063]A slidable carriage 1 18 supported by the pair of spaced apart rails 1 14. The slidable carriage 1 18 comprises a cross-member 120 (e.g. made of bar stock having an angled cross-sectional profile) fitted with linear bearings 122 configured to glide along the spaced apart guide rails 1 14.

[0064]The carriage 1 18 further comprises a support block 124 having a swing arm pivot pin 126. The support block 124 is mounted on the cross-member 120. A swing arm 128 having a through hole 128a at an upper end thereof is fitted onto the swing arm pivot pin 126 and locked onto the end of the swing arm pivot pin 126 by a retainer 130 (e.g. clip, pin, cotter pin). The swing arm 128 is then "free" to pivot about the swing arm pivot pin 126. An upper edge 120a of the cross-member 120 can serve as a stop for the swing arm 128 when the swing arm is lifted upwardly and then coming into contact with the upper edge 120a.

[0065] A lower end of the swing arm 128 is fitted with a knife 132 having a knife edge 132a. The knife 132 can be fitted with one or more reinforcement bars 134 (e.g. made of metal bar stock) on an upper surface of the knife 132, to prevent the knife 132 from bowing or crowing along its lower working edge. For example, the reinforcement bar 134 can be fastened, adhered, soldered, and/or welded to an upper surface of the knife 132. Further, one or more weights 136 can be added to the knife 132 (e.g. fitted on top of the reinforcement bar 134) to provide a downward force onto the tip of the knife 132.

[0066] In addition, one or more weights 138 can be fitted to the swing arm 128 to provide downward force on swing arm 128 to cause the knife 132 to bend during application of joint compound to the dry wall joint. For example, an eye bolt 140, upper washer 142, and lower washer can be used to fasten the one or more weights 138 to the swing arm 128. Specifically, a threaded end of the eye bolt 140 is threaded into a threaded hole in the top edge of the swing bar 128.

[0067] The joint embedding apparatus 1 10 can further comprise sensors 160, 162, 164, 166 (Si , S2, S3, S4) for detecting the operation of the joint embedding apparatus 1 10. For example, a location/speed sensor Si is connected to slidable carriage 1 18, a force sensor S2 is connected to swing arm 128 to detect the amount of force exerted on the swing arm during operation, a start sensor S3 is connected to the initiating end 14a of the guide rails 14, and a finish sensor S4 is connected to the finish end 14a of the guide rails 14. The sensors Si , S2, S3, S4 are electrically connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 180 (e.g. of a computer) for inputting signal thereto.

[0068]The joint embedding apparatus 1 10 can even further comprise a joint compound pump 168 having a funnel for receiving bulk joint compound. A length of tubing 172 connects the joint compound pump 168 to a delivery nozzle 174 configured to direct joint compound at a position below the knife 132 during operation. Further, an actuator 176 (e.g. electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic) can be provided between the carriage 1 18 and the horizontal cross-member 1 12b for moving the slidable carriage 1 18 along the guide rails 1 14. Specifically, an extension rod 176a of the actuator 176 is connected to a bracket 178 connected to the cross-member 120 of the slidable carriage 1 18, and a rod connector 176b is connected to the cross-member 1 12b. The joint compound pump 168 and actuator 176 are electrically connected to the central processing unit (CPU) 160 and controlled thereby.

OPERATION

[0069] The joint embedding apparatus 1 10 can be programmed to operate and control the joint embedding apparatus 1 10 in a particular manner to being test and determine or characterized the "feel" of the particular joint compound.

CLAUSES OF THE INVENTION

[0070] Various aspects of the present invention are also described by the following clauses.

[0071] Clause 1 . A joint tape embedding apparatus configured for controlled embedding of the joint tape into joint compound, the apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame;

a carriage slidably supported by said rails;

a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage; and

a knife connected to the to the swing arm. [0072] Clause 2. The apparatus according to clause 1 , wherein the knife is provided with one or more weights.

[0073] Clause 3. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the one or more weights on the knife can be changed.

[0074] Clause 4. The apparatus according to clause 1 , wherein the pivoting arm is provided with one or more weights.

[0075] Clause 5. The apparatus according to clause 4, wherein the one or more weights on the pivoting arm can be changed.

[0076] Clause 6. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the pivoting arm is provided with one or more weights.

[0077] Clause 7. The apparatus according to clause 1 , wherein the knife is provided with a reinforcement bar configured to reinforce an edge of the knife.

[0078] Clause 8. The apparatus according to clause 6, wherein the knife is provided with a reinforcement bar configured to reinforce an edge of the knife.

[0079] Clause 9. The apparatus according to clause 6, wherein an upper end of the pivoting arm is pivotably connected to the slidable carriage and a lower end of the pivoting arm is fixed to the knife.

[0080] Clause 10. The apparatus according to clause 1 , further comprising a joint compound applicator for delivering joint compound to the knife during operation.

[0081] Clause 1 1 . The apparatus according to clause 10, wherein the joint applicator comprises a joint compound pump having tubing connected to a nozzle located to supply joint compound to the knife.

[0082] Clause 12. The apparatus according to clause 1 , wherein the spaced apart rails are connected to cross-members of the frame located at ends of the frame.

[0083] Clause 13. The apparatus according to clause 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to move the slidable carriage.

[0084] Clause 14. The apparatus according to clause 13, comprising a sensor configured to measure force on the knife during operation.

[0085] Clause 15. The apparatus according to clause 13, further comprising one or more sensors for detecting the location and speed of movement of the slidable carriage during operation.

[0086] Clause 16. A joint tape embedding system configured for controlled embedding of joint tape into a drywall joint using a particular joint compound, the apparatus comprising: a frame;

a pair of spaced apart rails supported by the frame;

a carriage slidably supported by said rails;

a swing arm pivotably connected to the carriage;

a knife connected to the to the swing arm;

one or more electrical sensors to measure physical characteristics of spreading or application of the joint compound into a joint; and

a computer for receiving input signals from the one or more electrical sensors and configured to provide quantitative assessment of the feel attributes of the joint compound.

[0087] Clause 17. A method for controlled embedding of joint tape into a drywall joint using a particular joint compound providing a measuring device comprising a knife applicator;

providing a supply of joint compound to be measured to the knife applicator; using the knife applicator apply joint compound to embed joint tape into a drywall joint;

measuring one or more physical characteristics involved with the spreading or application of the joint compound using the knife applicator;

quantitatively assessing the particular joint compound using the measured physical characteristics; and

determining the feel of the particular joint compound expressed in a manner understandable to user's of joint compounds.