GB2460522A

GB2460522A - Device for holding filler

Info

Publication number: GB2460522A
Application number: GB0909287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Roy Long
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-28
Filing date: 2009-05-28
Publication date: 2009-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-28
Also published as: GB0909287D0; GB2460522B; GB2460422A; GB0809673D0

Abstract

A device 10 for holding filler comprises a receptacle 1 and a dispenser portion 2. The dispenser portion 2 comprises a shelf part 5 which is substantially flat and has upstanding opposed side walls 6 but no end walls. An end of the shelf part 5a adjoins the receptacle 1, and the shelf part 5 of the dispenser portion 2 play define a step with the receptacle 1. The device 10 further comprises a handle 7. The handle 7 may be detachable from the device 10, and attached to the device using a screw-fit or snap-fit. Alternatively, the handle 7 may have planar portions [12, 13; figs. 2, 3] with at least two resilient members each [14, 16; figs. 2, 3], a planar portion being slidable into a receiving portion [11; figs. 2, 3] located in the underside of the device 10, so that the axis of the handle 7 is perpendicular with the device 10 [Fig. 2] or parallel to the device 10 [Fig. 3] . The handle 7 may also be stored in the receptacle 1 or dispenser portion 2.

Description

DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND DISPENSING FILLER

The present invention relates to a device for holding and dispensing filler.

In the decorating industry or in home or do-it-yourself (DIY) decorating, a filler material is often used to fill in gaps, holes, indentations or the like in walls and other surfaces. Generally, the filler is provided in the form of a powder which must be mixed with a suitable amount of water in order to form filler of the correct consistency for application. The mixed filler is loaded onto an application tool such as a knife and applied to the gap, hole, indentation or the like in the wall or other surface where it is needed.

Conventionally, both professional and DIY decorators simply use whichever item comes to hand for both mixing and dispensing the filler. The kind of items that are generally used include pot-or tub-like items such as paint kettles, and substantially flat items such as the lids of paint cans and board-like pieces of wood or cardboard.

There are several problems with these conventional items.

With the conventional pot-or tub-like items such as paint kettles, due to the fact that these items have a side wall or walls that surround(s) the entire circumference of their base, it is difficult to successfully load a suitable amount of the prepared filler onto the application tool, as the wall or walls hinder the access of the application tool to the mixed filler. Furthermore, for similar reasons, it is also difficult to load a suitable amount of the prepared filler onto the most suitable or desired part of the application tool.

With the conventional flat items such as lids of paint cans and pieces of wood, these items have no side walls and provide merely a base surface. With such items it can be difficult to mix the filler as the filler can be easily lost over the edges and the water that is added can run off. This causes both wastage and a mess. In addition, as the decorator would not want to mix the filler too near to the edge of the item, due to the possibility of accidentally losing some of it, it can be difficult to obtain an even consistency of the mixed filler.

Another problem with the conventional items is that they are difficult to hold or position in use both when mixing the filler and especially when dispending it.

This can be a particular problem when the decorator is in an awkward position such as up a ladder, for example, and needs to have a stable and steady hold on the item.

Due to the awkwardness of the conventional items, as discussed above, the time required to mix and apply the filler can be lengthy, filler can be wasted and a S mess can be created. All of these factors can increase the cost and inconvenience of using filler.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for holding and dispensing filler comprising a receptacle and a dispenser portion connected thereto, wherein the dispenser portion comprises a shelf part, the shelf part being substantially flat and having upstanding opposed side walls and no end walls; an end of the shelf part adjoins the receptacle; and the device further comprises a handle.

In use, filler and water may be thoroughly mixed in the receptacle to an even consistency without the likelihood of spillage or loss of filler or water. The shelf part extends from an open end up to the receptacle such that an end of the shelf part adjoins the receptacle and, as the shelf part has no end walls, the shelf part leads directly into the receptacle, without any obstacles and, once mixed in the receptacle, the mixed filler can easily be transferred to the shelf part. The shelf part comprises upstanding side walls to help retain the mixed filler on the shelf part. Moreover, as the shelf part has no end walls, an application tool, such as a knife, can easily be moved onto the shelf part to collect the desired amount of mixed filler onto the desired part of the application tool.

The receptacle may be any shape. For example, it may be cylindrical or a semi-cylindrical prism. However, preferably it has a rectangular or square-shaped base part and flat side parts. The side parts may slope outwards from the base part.

Alternatively, the base andlor side part or parts may have a curved profile.

However, it is preferable that the base part is substantially flat so that it is stable when placed on a surface and can be easily stacked and stored away.

The handle may be attached to any part of the device. For example, it could be attached to a side of the receptacle or the dispenser portion. However, it is preferable that the handle depends below the device in use, by being attached to the underside of the receptacle or dispenser portion, for example.

The side part, or part of the side part, of the receptacle that is connected to the shelf part is ideally shorter than the other side parts, or the rest of the side part, of the receptacle. This arrangement helps to prevent loss of filler when transferring it from the receptacle to the shelf part due to the protection provided by the taller side parts, or part of the side part.

The shelf part may be any shape. However, it is preferably rectangular or square. It is further preferable that the base part of the receptacle and the shelf part are both rectangular or square and that the end of the shelf part and the side part of the receptacle to which the end of the shelf part is connected have corresponding lengths. This ensures that the overall shape of the device is rectangular or square and thereby allows easy and efficient storage.

In use, once the mixed filler has been applied to a gap, hole or indentation in a surface using the application tool, any unused filler on the application tool can be wiped off on a side wall of the shelf part and then used elsewhere. Unused filler could also or alternatively be wiped off of the application tool on a side part of the receptacle. In order to aid the wiping off of any unused filler, it is preferable that the side walls of the shelf part andlor the side part or parts of the receptacle are substantially flat, straight and/or have straight upper edges. This ensures that filler can be wiped off the application tool easily and from essentially any angle.

The handle may be connected to and below the dispenser portion or the receptacle. Providing the device with a handle makes it easier for a user to hold the device. This can be important as the user may have to hold the device for long periods of time or in awkward positions such as up a ladder, for example.

Preferably, the handle is located beneath a point where, in use, the average centre of gravity of the device containing mixed filler and water would lie. By locating the handle at or close to the average centre of gravity, this makes the device stable and easier to hold.

Ideally the handle extends downwards beneath the dispenser portion or the receptacle. The handle could be made of any suitable material such as plastic, metal or wood, The handle may be substantially cylindrical, for example, and of a size suitable for a hand to grip. The handle could comprise a grip portion, thereby making it easier and safer to hold. The grip portion could be made of a suitable non-slip rubber or plastic, for example.

The handle may be detachable. For example, the handle could be adapted to be screwed or snap-fitted into the receptacle or dispenser portion etc. Providing the device with a detachable handle can make the device more compact when the handle is detached and therefore easier to store when it is not being used. Ideally, the handle is of a suitable size such that it can be stored in the receptacle or dispenser portion, when the device is not in use.

In a preferred embodiment, the detachable handle comprises a planar portion at one end thereof which is arranged to be inserted into a receiving portion on the underside of the dispenser portion or receptacle, thereby enabling attachment of the handle to the dispenser portion or receptacle. The planar portion is preferably arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Preferably, the planar portion has at least two resilient members which are arranged to engage with engaging portions of the receiving portion. The resilient members may engage with the receiving portion in a similar way to a belt or bag clip, for example, such that a user may squeeze the resilient members in order to allow detachment of the handle from the receiving portion. Such an arrangement provides a quick, easy and reliable mechanism for attaching and detaching the handle to and from the dispenser portion or receptacle.

In a further preferred embodiment, in addition to the planar portion described above, the handle comprises a second planar portion arranged perpendicularly to the first planar portion. The second planar portion is also arranged to be inserted into the receiving portion, which is preferably located on the underside of the dispenser portion and has at least two resilient members which are arranged to engage with engaging portions of the receiving portion. The second planar portion is preferably arranged such that when it is inserted into the receiving portion, the handle is located adjacent to the underside of the dispenser portion such that its longitudinal axis is essentially parallel with the lower surface of the dispenser portion. Such an arrangement allows for particularly convenient storage of the device, without risk of losing the handle.

As the device may have to be held by decorators for extended periods of time, it is preferable that the device is made of a light-weight material such as plastic. It is also preferable that the device is made of a strong and relatively waterproof material, and one that does not rust or become easily otherwise corroded.

The device could be made of a suitable metal or wood, for example. It is also possible that the device could be made of a combination of different materials.

The device could be any suitable size. Preferably, the device is not too large that it is cumbersome or too heavy to hold, and not too small that it can only contain a small amount of filler and therefore needs to be frequently re-filled. For example, the device may have a length or width of from 100 mm to 700 mm. Preferably, it has a length of from 200 to 400 mm and a width of from 150 to 300 mm. The receptacle may have a depth of from 50 to 150 mm, for example. Preferably, the receptacle has a depth of around 70 to 80 mm.

Preferably the shelf part is of a size that is large enough for an application tool to easily access the filler on the shelf part. For example, an application tool may have a blade width of around 65 to 150 mm and the shelf part may have a length of around 80 to 200 mm.

The device could be manufactured in different sizes for different jobs. For example, for a large job that requires a lot of filler to be used, a larger device could be used, and for a small job that only requires a small amount of filler, a smaller device could be used.

It will be appreciated that a device which is suitable for holding and dispensing filler, may also be suitable for other substances requiring a receptacle for mixing the substance and a dispenser providing an area for loading of an application tool. For example, the device could be used for holding and dispensing substances such as glues, paints or plaster.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device with the handle located in the operating position; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device with the handle located in the storage position.

The device 10 comprises a receptacle I in which the unmixed filler and water can be added and then mixed. The receptacle hasside parts 4 which retain the filler and water in the receptacle and help to prevent loss of filler or water whilst they are being mixed. The side parts 4 also enable the filler to be thoroughly mixed to an even consistency without fear of losing any filler.

The receptacle is connected to a dispenser portion 2, which comprises a shelf part 5 and upstanding side walls 6. The side walls 6 are provided on two opposing sides of the shelf part 5 and the ends 5a, Sb of the shelf part 5 have no walls at all.

This makes it easy to move filler from the receptacle to the shelf part and also to get filler from the shelf part with an application tool such as a knife. The shelf part is substantially flat which also helps make it easy to get filler from the shelf part with an application tool such as a knife.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the side parts 4 of the receptacle I slope outwards and upwards from the base part 3. Alternatively the side parts 4 may be perpendicular to the base part 3.

As can been seen in Fig. 1, the side part 4 of the receptacle 1 to which the shelf part 5 is connected is slightly shorter than the other side parts 4. This allows filler to be moved from the receptacle 1 to the dispenser portion 2 whilst being protected by the three higher side parts 4 and the side walls 6 of the shelf part 5 and the likelihood of unintentional loss of filler is thereby reduced.

The device 10 comprises a handle 7 which is connected to the dispenser portion 2. Alternatively, the handle 7 may be connected to receptacle 1. Ideally, the handle 7 is connected to the device 10 in a position at or close to beneath the average centre of gravity of the device 10 with the filler and water contained therein.

This makes the device 10 more stable to hold.

The handle 7 is detachable and when detached can fit in the receptacle 1 or the dispenser portion 2. This means that when the device 10 is not in use it is more compact and therefore easier to store and transport. Alternatively, the handle may not be detachable. In Fig. 1 the handle 7 extends beneath the base part 3 of the receptacle 1. This makes it easier for a user to get a good hold on the handle 7.

However, the handle 7 may not be as long as shown in Fig. 1 and it may not extend beneath the base part 3 of the receptacle 1. For example, if the handle 7 is not detachable, it may be desirable to have a shorter handle in order to increase the compactness of the device 10 and to make it easier to stack and store.

The base part 3 of the receptacle 1 is substantially flat so that it can be stably placed on surfaces and is easy to store. Alternatively the base part 3 may have a curved profile and this may make it easier to mix the filler in the receptacle 1.

The side walls 6 of the dispenser portion 2 are substantially flat and straight with straight edges. This allows any unused filler to be wiped off of an application tool back into the dispenser easily and from practically any angle.

The device 10 is made of any suitable material such as plastic or a metal or a combination of different materials.

The device 10 can be used in the following way. Suitable quantities of filler and water are placed in the receptacle 1 and mixed using a suitable mixing tool until the mixed filler is ready to be applied to a hole, gap or other indentation in a surface.

Some or all of the mixed filler is then transferred from the receptacle 1 to the shelf part 5 of the dispenser portion 2. The transfer of the mixed filler from the receptacle I to the shelf part 5 could be performed using the mixing tool, for example. As the dispenser portion 2 has no end walls, it is easy for an application tool, such as a knife, to access the filler on the shelf part 5 and to take a suitable amount for use in filling a hole, gap or other indentation in a surface. When the hole, gap or other indentation has been filled, using the application tool, any remaining filler on the application tool is wiped off on a side wall 6 of the dispenser portion 2 or alternatively on a side part 4 of the receptacle 1.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in a preferred embodiment the handle 7 comprises a first planar portion 12 at one end thereof which is arranged to be inserted into a receiving portion 1 1 on the underside of the dispenser portion 2. Such an arrangement enables attachment of the handle 7 to the dispenser portion 2.

The first planar portion 12 is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the handle 7. The first planar portion 12 has two resilient members 14 which are arranged to engage with two respective engaging portions 15 of the receiving portion 11.

The resilient members 14 are arranged to engage with the receiving portion 11 in a similar way to a belt or bag clip, such that a user may squeeze the resilient members 14 in order to allow detachment of the handle 7 from the receiving portion 11. Such an arrangement provides a quick, easy and reliable mechanism for attaching and detaching the handle 7 to and from the dispenser portion 2.

The first planar portion 12 is arranged such that when it is inserted into the receiving portion 11, as shown in Fig. 2, in use the handle 7 extends generally vertically beneath the underside of the dispenser portion 2 such that its longitudinal axis is essentially perpendicular to the lower surface of the dispenser portion 2.

Such an arrangement is particularly convenient for a user to hold the device.

In addition to the first planar portion 12, the handle 7 also comprises a second planar portion 13 arranged perpendicularly to the first planar portion 12.

The second planar portion 13 is also arranged to be inserted into the receiving portion 11 and has two resilient members 16 which are arranged to engage with the engaging portions 15 of the receiving portion 11.

The second planar portion 13 is arranged such that when it is inserted into the receiving portion 11, as shown in Fig. 3, the handle 7 is located adjacent to the underside of the dispenser portion 2 such that its longitudinal axis is essentially parallel with the lower surface of the dispenser portion 2. Such an arrangement allows for particularly convenient storage of the device 10, without risk of losing the handle 7.

Thus, the handle 7 can be attached to the receiving portion 11 in the operating position, as shown in Fig. 2, or in the storage position, as shown in Fig. 3.

The operating position is the position in which the handle should be located when the device 10 is being used. The storage position is the position in which the handle should ideally be located when the device 10 is being stored.

Claims

Claims: 1. A device for holding and dispensing filler comprising a receptacle and a dispenser portion, wherein the dispenser portion comprises a shelf part, the shelf part being substantially flat and having upstanding opposed side walls and no end walls; an end of the shelf part adjoins the receptacle; and the device further comprises a handle.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is made of plastic andlor metal.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the side walls have substantially straight edges.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein, in use, the handle depends below the device.
5. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle is detachable.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the handle is adapted to be screwed into the receptacle or the dispenser portion.
7. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the handle is adapted to be snap-fitted into the receptacle or the dispenser portion.
8. A device as claimed in any of claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the handle is adapted to be storable in the receptacle or the dispenser portion.
9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle comprises a base part that is substantially flat.

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10 - 10. A device for holding and dispensing filler substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
11. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the handle comprises a planar portion having at least two resilient members, the planar portion being insertable into a receiving portion located on the underside of the dispenser portion or receptacle such that the resilient members engage with the receiving portion.
12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the handle further comprises a second planar portion having at least two resilient members, the second planar portion being arranged perpendicular to the first planar portion and being insertable into the receiving portion such that the resilient members of the second planar portion engage with the receiving portion.
13. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.