Disposable Caulk Smoother

Abstract

A disposable hand tool for easily smoothing or spreading of material made for the filling of gaps or the sealing of two adjacent surfaces. The tool consists of a depressor made of plastic or cut wood surround on one end by cellular foam forming the smoothing head, while the depressor extends beyond the foam to form the handle. The depressor provides necessary reinforcement and stability to the foam, in order that when the surface of the cellular foam makes contact with the caulking material, enough rigidity is provided to transfer pressure as applied variably by the user with the handle to smooth the caulking material, but the pliability of the foam accommodates and flexes to variances in the surfaces being joined or filled by the caulking material. When finished using, the tool can be disposed of, or in some instances cleaned using appropriate process for removal of excess material being smoothed, and reused.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to other tools in the prior art that are used for the smoothing and spreading of dispensed fluid materials that provide for the filling of gaps or the sealing of cracks between two adjacent surfaces, commonly referred to as caulk. Issues with the current state of technology are they are not designed to be disposable, so effort must be applied to clean them so they can be reused. For example U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,769 (Chang and Lee), D634,600 (Gringer, Soled, and Cheng), and D606,375 (Divita). This issue also includes the common use of a human digit of the hand, the caulking soils the digit, and the soiled digit needs to be cleaned, as an un-cleaned digit transfers the dirt and soil to other materials being worked with. Some forms of the prior art must be held at a specific angle or a specific side to be effective. In addition, some forms of the current state of technology or prior art are also rigid, so they do not accommodate we...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002]The disposable hand tool is comprised of a depressor made of injection molded plastic or cut wood surround on one end by closed cell foam smoothing head, while the depressor extends beyond the foam to form the handle. The depressor has the appropriate shape within the foam head to provide necessary reinforcement and stability to the foam, in order that when the surface of the cellular foam smoothing head makes contact with the caulking material, enough rigidity is provided to transfer pressure as applied variably by the user with the handle to smooth the previously dispensed caulking material. The pliability of the foam head accommodates and flexes to variances in the surfaces being joined or filled by the caulking material, the foam smoothing head is effective from a number of angles, and can be turned over if caulking material collects on one side being used, or easily wiped clean. This invention improves on the prior art in that it is very simple and easy to use. It is disposable so while cleanable, particularly with latex based caulking material, does not have to be cleaned after use, and prevents fingers of the hand from becoming soiled by the caulking material. The cellular foam smoothing head is pliable so more readily adapts to variance in material surfaces, thus avoiding potential damage to more delicate surfaces and the catching of wood splinters. The foam smoothing head is also effective from a number of angles and sides. If caulking material collects on one side of the tool, it can be turned over and the other side used, or easily wiped clean if desired.

Problems solved by technology

Issues with the current state of technology are they are not designed to be disposable, so effort must be applied to clean them so they can be reused.

This issue also includes the common use of a human digit of the hand, the caulking soils the digit, and the soiled digit needs to be cleaned, as an un-cleaned digit transfers the dirt and soil to other materials being worked with.

In addition, some forms of the current state of technology or prior art are also rigid, so they do not accommodate well the slight variances in the material being filled or sealed, could damage more delicate surfaces, or catch on minor splinters of wooden surfaces.

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