Reusable sealing system for caulk tube or similar dispenser

Abstract

A reusable sealing system is provided for caulk tube or similar bulk dispense. A sealing system forms a cylindrical, pliable member having an access orifice at a proximal end and a sealed dome at an opposite, distal end. The sealing system has an overall length of approximately 3 inches. The access orifice forms an opening diameter of approximately nominal internal diameter. The sealed dome formed as a flattened extension of a pliable sidewall. A pliable sidewall is formed of a resilient elastomeric material, such as a silicone or a plastic, and is adapted to receive a tip of the nozzle n a contiguously contacting manner.

Claims

1. In a bulk container forming a hollow cylinder containing a flowable bulk material dispensed from an applicator tip at a distal end by urging a movable plunger at a proximal end, the movable plunger being urged using a flow gun device, wherein the improvement comprises a reusable sealing system for sealingly encasing, enclosing and nesting said applicator tip and further comprising: a cylindrical member formed of a sidewall having at least a portion being ductile and further forming an access orifice at a proximal end and being sealed at an opposite, distal end, said sealed end formed as a flattened extension of the sidewall, wherein said sidewall is formed of a compressible silicone or a plastic and is further adapted to receive a tip of the nozzle in a contiguously contacting manner; an overall length of said cylindrical member being approximately 3 inches; said access orifice forming an opening diameter of approximately nominal internal diameter.

2. The sealing system of claim 1, wherein said sidewall is formed of a compressible elastomeric material.

3. The sealing system of claim 1, wherein said sidewall is formed of a compressible silicone or a plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a proximal perspective view of a caulk or similar material bulk container 10 according to the PRIOR ART;

(3) FIG. 2 is a distal perspective view thereof according to the PRIOR ART;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof according to the PRIOR ART;

(5) FIG. 4 is a distal perspective view of a reusable sealing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention for use in conjunction with a caulk tube or similar bulk dispenser;

(6) FIG. 5 is a proximal perspective view thereof;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevational view thereof, shown in conjunction with a caulk tube or similar bulk dispenser of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, shown herein in a removed configuration;

(8) FIG. 7 is a side elevational view thereof, shown in conjunction with a caulk tube or similar bulk dispenser of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, shown herein in an attached and sealed configuration;

(9) FIG. 8 is a photograph of an exemplary prototype of a reusable sealing system 50 as shown in FIG. 6; and

(10) FIG. 9 is a photograph of an exemplary prototype of a reusable sealing system 50 as shown in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(11) The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. It should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and that the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

(12) It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word means and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

(13) The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

1. Detailed Description of the Figures

(14) Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

(15) Referring now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, a bulk container 10 is shown according to the PRIOR ART in which a hollow cylindrical container 12 is used to contain caulk or similar material. Caulk, construction adhesives and other similar materials are bulk dispensed from disposable cartridges formed of rigid cylindrical cardboard or plastic tubes with an applicator tip at one end. As would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the relevant art, the use of such a cylindrical storage and dispensing container for bulk materials should be broadly construed within a wide range of equivalent or similar materials, and should not be restricted in any manner by differences in the character, function or use of the flowable material 18 inside the cylinder 12.

(16) The cylinder 12 forms an internal volume 14 circumscribed by a cylindrically sidewall 16. The flowable material 18 is dispensed by a movable plunger 20 at a proximal end 22 being urged toward a nozzle 24 formed at a distal end 26 of the cylinder 12. The movable plunger 20 may be urged using a caulking guns or similar tool (not shown), which typically have a trigger connected to a rod which pushes the plunger, and has a ratchet to prevent backlash. The push rod may also be actuated by a motor

(17) Referring now to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a reusable sealing system, generally noted as 50, is shown according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention for use in conjunction with the caulk tube or similar bulk dispenser 10 as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3. The sealing system 50 forms a generally cylindrical; member being at least partially pliable or malleable and having an access orifice 52 at a proximal end 54 and a sealed dome 56 at an opposite, distal end 58. The cylindrical member may taper between the proximal end 56 and the distal end 58. The system 50 has an overall length of approximately 3 inches. Further, the access orifice 52 has an opening diameter of approximately nominal internal diameter. The sealed dome 56 is formed as a flattened extension of the pliable or malleable portion of a sidewall 60. The sidewall 60 may be at least partially formed of a resilient elastomeric material. The resilient, elastomeric sidewall 60 may be formed by molding of a solid silicone or a plastic. The sealed dome 56 is further pliable and is adapted to receive a tip of the nozzle 24 in a contiguously contacting manner so as to form a sealed connection. Preferably the sealed dome 56 may form a hermetic seal. The overall sealed dome 56 may have an overall length that includes a portion of the overall length. The portion of the overall length may be a portion of one half or less than one half of the overall length.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

(18) Briefly described according to the operation of the present invention, the reusable sealing system 50 may be used to hermetically seal an opened nozzle 24 of a caulk tube or similar bulk dispenser 10. The nozzle 24 is inserted into the access orifice 52 at a proximal end 54 and a sealed dome 56 received the distal-most tip of the nozzle 24. The system 50 has an overall length of approximately 3 inches to receive the entire nozzle 24. Further, the access orifice 52 has an opening diameter of approximately nominal internal diameter to receive and circumferentially seal about a base of the nozzle 24.

(19) The sealed dome 56 can be grasped by a user between one's first finger and thumb and easily remove from the tip of the nozzle 24 in order to regain access to the contents 18 of the tube 10.

(20) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

(21) The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. 101, 102, or 103, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that a scope of the invention be defined broadly by the Drawings and Specification appended hereto and to their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is in no way to be limited only by any adverse inference under the rulings of Warner-Jenkinson Company, v. Hilton Davis Chemical, 520 US 17 (1997) or Festo Corp. v. Shoketsu Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Co., 535 U.S. 722 (2002), or other similar caselaw or subsequent precedent should not be made if any future claims are added or amended subsequent to this Patent Application.