AU2008100510A4 - Shaping tool - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Jamie Robert Cram of 8 Calvert Street, Portland, Victoria 3305, Australia Jamie Robert Cram DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia Innovation Patent specification for the invention entitled: "SHAPING TOOL" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: Q:\OPER\DH\2008\UUNE\30553389 INNOVATION FILING 3 JUNEDOC 3/6/08 P OPERM)HDIO53389- nnoaIlll docm.3)6/2l8 Ia- SHAPING TOOL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a shaping tool for shaping a bead of silicone or sealant material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to fit a dispensing nozzle onto a sealant cartridge and to use an end of the nozzle to assist with shaping the bead of silicone material as it exits the cartridge.

However, the silicone material can clog or build up within and around an opening of the nozzle and thereby present difficulties in shaping a well formed bead.

OBJECT OF INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a shaping tool which can provide improved performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a shaping tool, including an elongate body with an attachment section at one end, to fit the tool to a cartridge, and a shaping blade tapering to a shaping edge at the other end.

Preferably, the attachment section includes a cap which fits onto and seals the cartridge.

Preferably, the cap includes a bulbous projection arranged to fit into an open end of an outlet of the cartridge to enhance sealing of the cartridge.

Preferably, the blade has a scooped cross-sectional profile whereby a trough is provided along the length of the blade, the trough accommodating excess material displaced by the P \OPER\D305I) 39 novalt doc-3/0)6(4s 00 -2shaping edge during a bead shaping operation.

Preferably, the blade is formed of flexible material to allow the profile to be changed Sthrough application of appropriate pressure during formation of a bead.

Preferably, the blade is adapted to be cut at different locations along its length, as required, 0 so as to form altemrnative shaping edges of different dimensions, corresponding to the Sdifferent cross-sectional dimensions of the blade at each location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shaping tool from one end; Figure 2 is a plan view of the tool; Figure 3 is a side view of the tool; Figure 4 is an end view of the tool; Figure 5 is an opposite end view of the tool; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the shaping tool from the opposite end; and Figures 7a to 7e illustrate different profiles for the shaping tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to Figures 1-6, a shaping tool 1 is shown as including an elongate body 2 with an attachment section 3 at one end 4 and a shaping blade 5 which tapers to a shaping edge 6 at the other end 7 of the tool 1.

The attachment section 3 includes a cap 10 with an internal screw thread 11 that allows the tool 1 to be fitted directly onto an outlet of a sealant cartridge or the like (not shown). The cap 10 has a closed end 12 which serves to seal the cartridge by being fitted thereto. The P: OPERDWH 0533f)9 innovtlc dom-l.fn(X) 00 -3end 12 may include a bulbous projection 13 which is designed to fit into an open end of the outlet of the cartridge to displace sealant material in the opening and enhance sealing of the cartridge.

When the tool 1 is fitted to the cartridge, the cartridge itself may be used as a handle to assist in manipulating the tool. Alternatively, a thumb tab 20 and side finger grooves 21, 00 formed on the attachment section 3, may be used for the purpose of manipulating the tool.

The elongate body 2 is formed of a single layer of material which is profiled so as to define a trough 22, which is provided along the length of the blade In order to utilize the tool 1, a bead of silicone is firstly applied and the tool 1 is then pushed forwardly through the bead. The trough 22 accommodates excess silicone which is displaced by the edge 6 as it shapes the bead. The tool 1 may then be emptied of the excess silicone.

The blade 5 is preferably formed of a suitable silicone, plastics or polymeric material that provides flexibility in order to allow the profile of the blade 5 to be changed, such as through application of appropriate pressure during formation of the bead. The flexibility of the blade 5 also ensures the shaping edge 6 maintains intimate contact with adjacent surfaces during formation of the bead.

In addition, the flexibility of the blade allows elongate edges 14 of the tool to function as squeegees when the tool is used on its side for shaping and finishing purposes over larger surfaces.

The blade is also adapted to be cut by a razer blade or the like, to provide different configurations and corners to the shaping edge 6, as required.

Further, the blade 5 may be cut at different locations 23, 24 along its length, as required, so as to form alternative shaping edges 25, 26 of different dimensions, corresponding to the P OPER\DH\.~1~)531Y nnovlton doc-A621MSI 00 -4c-s different cross-sectional dimensions of the blade 5 at each location. It is envisaged that the tool 1 could thereby provide a shaping edge 6 to differently sized beads of anywhere between 2 mm and 10 mm thick. The specific profile of the body 2 could also be varied Ssuch as illustrated, by way of example, in Figures 4a to 4e.

n The shaping tool 1 has been described by way of non-limiting example only and many 0 0 modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or Sscope of the invention, as described.

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

Claims (6)

1. A shaping tool, including an elongate body with an attachment section at one end, Sto fit the tool to a cartridge, and a shaping blade tapering to a shaping edge at the other end.

S2. The shaping tool of claim 1, wherein the attachment section includes a cap which 0 fits onto and seals the cartridge.

3. The shaping tool of claim 2, wherein the cap includes a bulbous projection arranged to fit into an open end of an outlet of the cartridge to enhance sealing of the cartridge.

4. The shaping tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blade has a scooped cross-sectional profile whereby a trough is provided along the length of the blade, the trough accommodating excess material displaced by the shaping edge during a bead shaping operation.

The shaping tool of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the blade is formed of flexible material to allow the profile to be changed through application of appropriate pressure during formation of a bead.

6. The shaping tool of any preceding claim, wherein the blade is adapted to be cut at different locations along its length; as required, so as to form alternative shaping edges of different dimensions, corresponding to the different cross-sectional dimensions of the blade at each location.