FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This invention relates to dispensing tools. More particularly, although not exclusively it discloses improvements to caulking guns.

[002] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with caulking guns and caulking, and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use, and may be suitable for cleaning other forms of extrudate. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] A caulking gun is a tool used for sealing up gaps and cracks in construction work. It may also be used for as a dispenser for glues such as high viscosity construction adhesives, silicones and latex materials. One type of gun comprises a frame or cradle that holds a replaceable preloaded cartridge of caulk or adhesive and an advancing mechanism. This mechanism in its manual form includes a handle and trigger which when squeezed advances a rod and plunger cap into the rear of the cartridge to expell a measured amount of material out through a nozzle at the other end and onto the work. The material may include but not be limited to a wide variety of types, including silicone sealant, latex, polyurethane foam, butyl-rubber or the like. Further, the material need not necessarily be limited to caulking material, and could apply to any other material that is capable of being extruded or expelled through a gun as described.

[004] Typical advancing mechanisms comprise a ratchet arrangement with a sawtooth rod or more commonly a shimmying system with a smooth rod. There are also sausage caulking guns having a fixed inbuilt barrel into which replacement sausages or bags of sealant or glue are inserted. Power operated advancing mechanisms are also well known and may comprise pneumatic, electrical or hydraulic devices.

[005] In use, when sealing a gap, the nozzle is pushed along the work at an angle to the surface with a bead of caulk being simultaneously extruded forward and forced into said gap. Inevitably however it is still necessary to smooth out the bead and/or remove any extra material from around the gap. This is commonly done by sliding a finger along the bead and then wiping it on a rag (if available) or more often, on one’s work clothes. This makes the working conditions messy and there is a risk of chemical skin irritation from excessive contact with the caulk or glue.

[006] It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages.

[007] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention a replacement cartridge for a caulking gun is disclosed which includes a plurality of detachable cleaning tabs disposed along the length thereof. [009] Preferably the cleaning tabs overlap, are arranged in a rank along the length of the cartridge and are adapted to be pulled or twisted off said cartridge as required by the user.

[010] It is further preferred that the tabs are rectangular in shape and have bevelled edges to facilitate cleaning and scrapping of excess sealant or glue from the work surface.

[011] It is further preferred that said tabs are disposable single use items.

[012] In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention a sausage type caulking gun is disclosed having an inbuilt barrel with a fixed retaining rail along the length thereof, said rail being adapted to releasably mount a strip of said detachable cleaning tabs.

[013] Preferably the rail is plastic welded to said barrel or alternatively is formed as one piece with said barrel during manufacture. [014] It is further preferred that said strip of detachable cleaning tabs is shaped to slidably engage and disengage from said rail.

[015] It is further preferred that said tabs are adapted to quickly detach as needed from said strip by hand pulling or twisting without the use of tools. [016] In accordance with a further aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a cleaning strip accessory suitable for cleaning caulking, the cleaning strip accessory comprising: a. at least one or more cleaning tabs; b. an connecting formation for engaging the cleaning strip accessory to one or more selected from: i. a caulking gun; ii. a caulking refill cartridge; and iii. a caulking nozzle.

[017] In one embodiment, the connecting formation includes a ring configured for receiving a caulking refill nozzle.

[018] In one embodiment, the connecting formation is integrally moulded with the caulking refill cartridge.

[019] In one embodiment, the connector is integrally moulded with the caulking nozzle.

[020] In one embodiment, the connector is configured for sliding engagement with one or more selected from the caulking gun, caulking refill cartridge, and caulking nozzle.

[021] In one embodiment, the connector includes a sliding elongate member.

[022] In one embodiment, the sliding elongate member is configured for engagement in a complementary shaped slot.

[023] In one embodiment, the sliding elongate member includes a head and neck shape cross-section configured for preventing the sliding elongate member from being removed from the slot in a direction transverse to the sliding direction.

[024] In one embodiment, the connector is configured for clamping engagement with one or more selected from the caulking gun, caulking refill cartridge and caulking nozzle. [025] In one embodiment, the connector includes a clamping arrangement.

[026] In one embodiment, the clamping arrangement includes at least one or more resilient clamps.

[027] In one embodiment, the clamping arrangement includes a pair of opposed resilient clamps.

[028] In one embodiment, the connecting formation includes a biasing arrangement.

[029] In one embodiment, the connector is configured for a snap fit type engagement with one or more selected from the caulking gun, caulking refill cartridge and caulking nozzle. [030] In one embodiment, the connector includes a snap fit arrangement.

[031] In one embodiment, the at least one or more cleaning tabs are connected to each other by a connecting rail.

[032] In one embodiment, the connecting rail is connected to the connecting formation.

[033] In one embodiment, the cleaning tabs are configured for attachment to the connecting formation by frangible formations.

[034] In one embodiment, the accessory includes a caulking nozzle.

[035] In one embodiment, the accessory includes a caulking refill cartridge.

[036] In one embodiment, the accessory includes a caulking gun.

[037] In one embodiment, the connecting formation is configured for removable engagement.

[038] In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a replacement cartridge for a caulking gun comprising a. an extrudable container; and b. a plurality of detachable cleaning tabs connected or connectable to the extrudable container.

[039] In one embodiment, the cleaning tabs are disposed along the length thereof.

[040] In one embodiment, the cleaning tabs overlap. [041] In one embodiment, the cleaning tabs are arranged in a rank along the length of the cartridge and are adapted to be pulled or twisted off said cartridge as required by the user.

[042] In one embodiment, the tabs are rectangular in shape. [043] In one embodiment, the tabs have bevelled edges to facilitate cleaning and scrapping of excess sealant or glue from the work surface.

[044] In one embodiment, the tabs are disposable single use items.

[045] In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a caulking gun refill cartridge comprising an inbuilt barrel with a fixed retaining rail along the length thereof, said rail being adapted to mount a strip of detachable cleaning tabs.

[046] In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a caulking gun including: a. an extrusion mechanism configured for extruding matter from an extrudable container; and b. a retaining rail adapted to releasably mount a strip of detachable cleaning tabs.

[047] In one embodiment, the caulking gun further includes a barrel.

[048] In one embodiment, the retaining rail is connected to the barrel.

[049] In one embodiment, the retaining rail is fixed.

[050] In one embodiment, the retaining rail is integrally formed with the barrel.

[051] In one embodiment, the retaining rail extends along the length of the barrel.

[052] In one embodiment, the rail is plastic welded to said barrel or alternatively is formed as one piece with said barrel during manufacture.

[053] In one embodiment, said strip of detachable cleaning tabs is shaped to slidably engage and disengage from said rail.

[054] In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a caulking gun refill cartridge comprising: a. a barrel; b. the barrel including a retaining rail adapted to releasably mount strip of detachable cleaning tabs.

[055] In one embodiment, the retaining rail is fixed. [056] In one embodiment, the retaining rail is integrally formed with the barrel.

[057] In one embodiment, the retaining rail extends along the length of the barrel.

[058] In one embodiment, the rail is plastic welded to said barrel or alternatively is formed as one piece with said barrel during manufacture.

[059] In one embodiment, said strip of detachable cleaning tabs is shaped to slidably engage and disengage from said rail.

[060] In another aspect, the invention may be said to consist in a caulking gun refill cartridge comprising an inbuilt barrel with a fixed retaining rail along the length thereof, said rail being adapted to mount a cleaning strip accessory as described. [061] In this specification, the term “caulking” is defined to include any matter that is being capable of being extruded through an extrusion gun, and the terms “caulking gun” and “caulking gun refill cartridge” are to be construed in accordance with this broad definition.

[062] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[063] Currently preferred nonlimiting examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- [064] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a replaceable cartridge according to a first embodiment of the invention when installed in a conventional manual caulking gun of a type referred to,

[065] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a tab retaining rail for attachment to the cartridge of figure 1 ;

[066] Figure 1 B is a perspective view of another form of tab retaining rail for attachment to the cartridge of figure 1 ;

[067] Figure 2 shows a perspective view another known manual sausage type caulking gun with fixed inbuilt barrel; [068] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a retaining rail for holding a strip of cleaning tabs along the top of said inbuilt barrel in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[069] Figure 3A shows a side elevation view of the sausage type caulking gun of figure 2 when fitted with the retaining rail of figure 3; [070] Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of the caulking gun of figure 3A with a strip of cleaning tabs attached to said retaining rail;

[071] Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of a replaceable refill cartridge of figure 1 ;

[072] Figure 6 shows a top front perspective view of a cleaning strip accessory including a nozzle; [073] Figure 7 shows a bottom side perspective view of a cleaning strip accessory including a ring connector;

[074] Figure 8 shows a side elevation view of the cleaning strip accessory of figure 7;

[075] Figure 9 shows a cleaning strip accessory configured with a sliding connector formation for removable engagement with a complementary connecting formation, together with a zoomed in close-up view of the sliding connector formation;

[076] Figure 10 shows a rear front perspective view of an extrusion gun barrel including a complementary connector formation for sliding engagement with the sliding connector formation of figure 9; and [077] Figure 11 shows a cleaning strip accessory configured with a clamping connector for removable connection to the barrel of a caulking gun.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[078] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[079] Referring first to figure 1 there is a manually operated caulking gun indicated generally as 1. The gun comprises a cradle 2 with a fixed slotted abutment plate 3 at the forward end and an advancing mechanism at the opposite end, which together act as an exclusion mechanism. The mechanism is operated by a trigger 5 which when squeezed back against the handle 6 forces a rod 6A and plunger cap (not shown) into the rear of a replaceable cartridge 6B to extrude a controlled amount of sealant/caulking out through the nozzle 7.

[080] In accordance with the invention, and as illustrated in figure 1 and 5, refill cartridge 6B is mountable within the gun 1. The refill cartridge includes a barrel 6C that acts as an extrudable container for the matter, such as caulking, to be extruded. The refill cartridge 6B includes a plurality of rectangular detachable cleaning tabs 8 disposed preferably along the upper side length of the cartridge. The tabs are preferably arranged in a row in overlapping fashion as shown. The tabs 8 are preferably integrally formed with the cartridge 6B. Alternately, they may be attached to the cartridge at manufacture by means of plastic welding, heat glue or any other suitable fixing means which enables fast and easy detachment by hand pulling and/or twisting without the use of a tool. The refill cartridge 6B further defines an outlet end 6D at which a threaded outlet 6F is located, and a compression end 6E into which the plunger cap (not shown) is receivable in order to compress matter to be extruded out of the outlet. Nozzle 7 is detachable to the threaded outlet 9.

[081] It is envisaged that the tabs 8 can be connected to each other by a common rail or elongate member (not shown). The tabs 8 can be integrally formed with the elongate member. The elongate member can in turn be integrally formed with the cartridge barrel.

[082] In use of the gun 1 the tabs are thus readily available to the user for smoothing a bead or cleaning excess material from a work surface without the need to carry a rag or soil work clothes. After use a tab can be simply discarded along with the waste sealant accumulated on it.

[083] Alternatively as shown in figures 1A, 7 and 8 , a cleaning strip accessory 100 is provided. The cleaning strip accessory 100 includes removable cleaning tabs 8 disposed along the length of a retaining rail 8A. Retaining rail 8A is integrally formed, for example by injection moulding, as one piece with a ring 8B extending preferably at a right angle to said rail 8A. The ring 8B, during use of the gun, is removably fitted between the forward end of known refill cartridges and the abutment plate 3. Preferably, the nozzle and/or outlet of the cartridge is received through the ring 8B during installation. Operation of the gun compresses the ring 8B between the abutment plate 3 and the forward end of the refill cartridge and securely holds it in place with the rail mounted tabs 8 extending back preferably along the top of the refill cartridge. If the tabs are used up before the cartridge is empty a fresh retaining rail with additional tabs can easily be fitted.

[084] In accordance with yet another variation of the invention as shown in figures 1B and 6, a second embodiment of a cartridge accessory 200 is shown. The cartridge accessory 200 includes a rail 8D, that is preferably integrally formed as part of a removable nozzle 8E which is screwed onto the outlet of the cartridge 6B. Tightening the nozzle 8E onto the cartridge outlet thus removably holds the rail 8D and the attached tabs 8F in place extending back along the top of the cartridge. [085] Now described with reference to figure 2, known ’’sausage type" guns 20 include a fixed inbuilt barrel 9 attachable to mount 16, dispensing nozzle 10 attachable to an outlet on inbuilt barrel 9, and advancing mechanism with trigger 11, handle 12 and plunger rod 13. The inbuilt barrel 9 preferably includes a threaded formations and/or bayonet type formations by which the inbuilt barrel 9 can be fixedly connected to complementary formations at an end of the barrel 9 that is proximal to the handle 12.

[086] It is envisaged that in another aspect, the present invention may accommodate such sausage type guns 20 by substituting the current inbuilt barrel 9, with a inbuilt barrel 9A according to the invention. Now described with reference to figures 3, 3A, 4, 9 and 10, there is provided a barrel 9A that can preferably be connected to standard gun 20 (shown in figure 2) by a connecting arrangement 9B. In the embodiment shown in figure 13, the connecting arrangement 9B is a threaded type connecting arrangement. However, a wide variety of alternative connecting arrangement saw envisaged, including bayonet type, clamping type, press fit type, or any other suitable connecting arrangement.

[087] The barrel 9A includes connecting arrangement 9B at one end, and an outlet at an opposed end, in order to receive a plunger rod 13 and plunger cap (not shown) as is known in the art. The connecting arrangement 9B is shown in figure 13 as a male thread formation that is engageable with a complementary female thread formation (not shown), and allows barrel 9A to be secured to mount 16.

[088] The barrel 9A further includes a retaining rail 14 preferably permanently fixed along the upper side length of said barrel. Retaining rail 14 may be integrally formed with barrel 9A or could be attached, for example by bonding.

[089] The retaining rail 14 generally defines a slot 17 that has a head and neck cross section. The retaining rail 14 is adapted to slidably mount a replaceable strip 15 of cleaning tabs 8 as shown in figures 4 and 9. [090] The replaceable strip 15 of cleaning tabs 8 is shown in figure 9. The replaceable strip 15 includes a plurality of cleaning tabs 8 that are connected together by an elongate member 22. The elongate member 22 defines a cross-section that is complementary to the head and neck shaped cross section of the slot 17. The elongate member 22 can be slid into the slot 17 from an open end 23. It is further envisaged that the elongate member can be snapped into position using snap fit type protrusions (not shown) on the elongate member 22, that engage with internal protrusions in the slot. In this way, the elongate member 22 can be held in position once it is engaged in the slot 17.

[091] These tabs 8, as with the other embodiments, are adapted for quick and easy detachment from the strip by pulling and/or twisting without the use of a tool. [092] In another embodiment (not shown), it is envisaged that a retaining rail may be provided that is connected directly to a caulking gun 1 as shown in figure 1, and not to the refill cartridge.

[093] It is further envisaged that refill cartridges as shown in figure 1 could be provided with a retaining rail similar to that shown in figure 3. It is then envisaged that a replaceable strip 15 of cleaning tabs as shown in figure 9 may be inserted into the retaining rails as described above.

[094] In the manner described above, a cleaning strip accessory is provided suitable for cleaning caulking, and which is presented in a convenient and accessible place during the caulking operation. In this way, a plurality of cleaning tabs can be attached to a caulking gun (whether it is connected to the gun portion of a refillable cartridge type gun, or to the barrel portion of a sausage type caulking gun), a caulking refill cartridge, or a caulking nozzle.

[095] Another embodiment of a cleaning strip accessory 30 is shown in figure 10. In this embodiment, a plurality of tabs 31 is provided, connected by an elongate member 32. A clamping arrangement 34 is provided for clamping around the barrel of a caulking gun. The clamping arrangement comprises a pair of curved resilient arms 36 that are configured to extend substantially around the circumference of the barrel to be able to connect the cleaning strip accessory to the barrel. [096] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that a wide variety of connectors may be possible for connecting a plurality of cleaning tabs to a caulking gun, caulking refill cartridge, or caulking nozzle.

[097] For example, resilient flexible arms may be provided that at least partially extend around the circumference of a barrel of a refill cartridge or a fixed inbuilt barrel. Alternatively, the connector could clamp between the ends of a barrel of a refill cartridge or a fixed inbuilt barrel.

[098] The connector may be of a wide variety of connecting types and connecting formations, such as screw type, bayonet type, interference fit, snap fit type, or the like. The connector could include fasteners such as screws or the like. The connector could include a biasing arrangement such as a spring, by which the connector could be used to clamp onto a caulking gun, caulking refill cartridge, or caulking nozzle.

[099] It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments described provides a novel and useful improvement to caulking guns. Clearly however the examples disclosed are only the currently preferred forms of the invention and variations may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape, configuration, and arrangement of the cleaning tabs and the means of attachment to the caulking gun barrel or cartridge may all be changed following further development work by the inventor. Also, while it is currently preferred to form the clearing tabs from high-density polyethylene any other suitably rigid and low cost plastic may be used.

INTERPRETATION

Embodiments:

[100] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[101] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[102] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[103] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details [104] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology

[105] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[106] For the purposes of this specification, the term “plastic” shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon -based polymer.

[107] As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

[108] As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including [109] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[110] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention

[111] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[112] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[113] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the construction and/or hardware industries.