A DEVICE FOR TILING

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for tiling comprising a container for holding a tiling adhesive, and a discharger for discharging the tiling adhesive. The discharger comprises at least one aperture and is configured to fit in the inner portion of the container, wherein the device is configured such that when the discharger is placed in the inner portion of the container and a rear face of a tile is placed on a top surface of the discharger, adhesive within the container can move through the at least one aperture of the discharger to apply a portion of the tiling adhesive to the rear face of the tile.

Claims

1. A device for tiling, the device comprising: a container for holding a tiling adhesive, the container having substantially vertical walls defining an inner portion of the container, the container further comprising an opening at a top portion of the container; a discharger for discharging the tiling adhesive, the discharger comprising at least one aperture and being configured to fit in the inner portion of the container; wherein the device is configured such that when the discharger is placed in the inner portion of the container and a rear face of a tile is placed on a top surface of the discharger, adhesive within the container can move through the at least one aperture of the discharger to apply a portion of the tiling adhesive to the rear face of the tile.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the discharger is in the form of a substantially flat plate.

3. The device of claim 1 being configured such that the discharger is moveable within the inner portion of the container in a substantially vertical direction.

4. The device of claim 3 being configured such that the discharger moves evenly in a substantially vertical direction within the inner portion of the container.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a shape and size of the discharger is defined by the cross-section of the inner portion of the container so that the discharger fits snugly into the inner portion of the container.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the container and/or the discharger comprises a sealing material to facilitate a snug fit between the discharger and the walls of the container.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the discharger comprises a plurality of apertures.

8. The device of claim 7, being configured such that one or more of the plurality of apertures can be selectively closed.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged to substantially match a size and shape of the tile.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a rim that is raised relative to a surface area defined by the flat plate of the discharger.

11.-12. (canceled)

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the container has a substantially square cross section.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the discharger comprises at least one lifting element for lifting the discharging element from the container.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one lifting element comprises two pairs of protrusions that are configured for gripping by a user.

16. The device of claim 1, comprising an applicator for applying a force to the top surface of the discharger.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the applicator comprises a base for engaging with the top surface of the discharger, the applicator further comprising a handle connected to the base, wherein the handle is pivotably connected to the container such that by pivoting the handle, the base applies a force to the top surface of the discharger.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the base comprises an enlarged surface area for engaging with the top surface of the discharger.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the base is connected to the handle via a joint.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the applicator comprises an extension connecting the base and the handle via respective joints.

21. The device of claim 1, further comprising a lid for closing the opening of the container.

22. A method of applying adhesive to a tile, the method comprising: providing a device for tiling, the device comprising a container for holding a tiling adhesive and a discharger; the container having substantially vertical walls defining an inner portion of the container and further comprising an opening at a top portion of the container; the discharger comprising at least one aperture and being configured to fit in the inner portion of the container; filling the container with tiling adhesive; positioning the discharger in the inner portion of the container; positioning a tile on the top surface of the discharger; and applying pressure to the tile such that a portion of the adhesive within the container moves through the at least one aperture of the discharger to apply tiling adhesive to the rear face of the tile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a device for tiling in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic side illustrating a section of the device of FIG. 3 along line B-B;

[0041] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a device for tiling in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the device shown in FIG. 5;

[0043] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the device of FIG. 5 with a lid;

[0044] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a discharger in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and

[0045] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of applying adhesive to a tile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a device for tiling, such as a device for applying adhesive to a tile and a method of applying adhesive to a tile. The device comprises a container for holding a tiling adhesive. The container has substantially vertical walls that define an inner portion of the container. The walls are typically rigid to avoid any buldging of the container. The container comprises an opening at a top portion of the container that may be closable with a lid.

[0047] The device further comprises a discharger for discharging the tiling adhesive, for example, on a rear face of a tile. The discharger comprises at least one aperture and is configured to fit in the inner portion of the container. The device is configured such that when the discharger is positioned in the inner portion of the container and a rear face of a tile is placed on a top surface of the discharger, adhesive within the container can move through the at least one aperture of the discharger to apply a portion of the tiling adhesive to the rear face of the tile.

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention provide significant advantages. In particular, at least an embodiment of the present invention reduces the time and labour to a fraction of the time that a manual application process would take. The inventor of the present invention has found that it is possible to apply adhesive to 10-20 tiles in the time it takes to manually apply adhesive to a few tiles. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide for an economical, faster, more accurate and cleaner method of applying tiling adhesive before laying.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is illustrated a device 100 for tiling in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 comprises a container 102 that has four substantially vertically extending walls 104 that define an inner portion of the container 102. In this particular example, a cross-section of the container 102 is in the shape of a square with rounded edges. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable cross-sectional shape of the container 102 is envisaged. The person skilled in the art will understand that the selection of the shape and size of the container 102 will mostly depend on the shape and size of the tile on which the tiling adhesive is to be applied.

[0050] Exemplary dimensions of the device 100 may range from be 10 cm10 cm5 cm (WDH) for relatively small tiles to 100 cm100 cm30 cm (WDH) for relatively large squared tiles. However, a person skilled in the art will understand that tiles can be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes, including but not limited to 10 cm20 cm, 20 cm20 cm, 30 cm30 cm, 45 cm45 cm, and 90 cm90 cm (or inches). Thus, the device may be provided in any suitable dimensions to accommodate these tiles.

[0051] The container 102 comprises a top portion that is open so that the container 102 can be filled with a tiling adhesive and so that a tile can be received for applying the tiling adhesive. The device 100 may be used with any tiling adhesive that is of a suitable consistency, such as pourable mortar.

[0052] The device 100 further comprises a discharger 106 for discharging the tiling adhesive that is contained within the inner portion of the container 102. In this regard, the discharger 106 comprises at least one aperture, in this example, a plurality of apertures 108 through which the tiling adhesive can be discharged. The discharger 106 is in the form of a substantially flat plate 110 that has a cross section of similar shape and size as the container 102. Specifically, the flat plate 110 is shaped and sized so that the discharger 106 snugly fits into the inner portion of the container 102 and at the same time is moveable within the container 102 in a substantially vertical direction. Thus, when the container 102 is filled with a tiling adhesive (not shown) to any desired level and the discharger 106 is positioned within the inner portion of the container 102, by lowering the discharger 106 further into the container, pressure is applied to the tiling adhesive thereby causing a portion of the tiling adhesive to move through the plurality of apertures 108 of the discharger 106. When a rear face of a tile is placed on a top surface of the discharger 106 where the plurality of apertures 108 are located and pressure is applied, tiling adhesive is applied to the tile. In this way, substantially uniform amounts of the tiling adhesive can be applied to the rear face of the tile while leaving air spaces for possible movement and settlement of the adhesive during the laying process.

[0053] A further advantage of the device 100 is that due to its relatively simple configuration, the device 100 can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner. Even more so, as will become apparent with the description of further features of the device 100, the device 100 may be used for various sizes and shapes of tiles.

[0054] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that there is no limitation as to materials being used for manufacturing components of the device 100, such as the container 102 or the discharger 106. Possible materials include but are not limited to plastics, aluminium, stainless steel, rubber and any combination of the aforementioned.

[0055] Referring back to the Figures, it can be seen that the discharger 106 of the device 100 comprises 16 apertures that are arranged in a geometrical pattern, in this example, in the form of a square of 44 apertures. Each aperture 108 has a cross sectional shape of a square with rounded corners. Thus, when using the device 100, 16 substantially uniform amounts of tiling adhesive can be applied to a tile that is of similar size as the geometrical pattern defined by the apertures 108.

[0056] In this example, each aperture 108 has a rim 109 that is raised relative to a surface area defined by the flat plate 110. The rim 109 has a height that is substantially constant for each aperture. In this way, the rims 109 of the plurality of the apertures 108 define a flat contact surface for contacting the rear face of a tile. The rims 109 of each aperture 108 may extend in a direction to gradually taper towards a top portion of the aperture 108. Thus, a circumference at the top portion of the aperture 108 is smaller than a circumference at a base portion of the aperture 108. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable configuration of the apertures is envisaged with and without rims.

[0057] In this example, the device 100 is configured so that one or more of the plurality of apertures 108 are selectively closable. This has the significant advantage that smaller tiles can be used with the same device 100. For example, in order to apply tiling adhesive to a tile that has a size and shape of approximately 33 apertures, an outer row of the apertures 108 may be closed as illustrated in FIG. 1 in which the outer left rows of 7 apertures are closed so that no tiling adhesive can move through these apertures.

[0058] In this particular example, the device 100 comprises a plurality of closure elements 112 wherein each may be positioned in a respective aperture 108 to close that aperture 108. The closure element may be in the form of a rubber plug or the like. However, other suitable closure elements are envisaged. In an alternative example (not shown), the device 100 may comprise one or more closure layers or profiles to be placed above and/or below the discharger 106. For example, a closure layer may comprise one or more cut-outs for one or more apertures 108 to stay open. Different closure layers may be provided with the device 100 to accommodate for a variety of different shapes and sizes of tiles.

[0059] As mentioned above, the device 100 is configured such that the discharger 106 fits snugly within the inner portion of the container 102. In this regard, the discharger 106 may comprise a sealing material provided at edges of the discharger 106, such as rubber or silicon. In this way, it can be ensured that a majority of the tiling adhesive moves through the apertures 108 when the discharger 106 is lowered within the inner portion of the container 102. No or only a relatively small gap may be formed between edges of the discharger 106 and the walls 104 of the container 102 where tiling adhesive may move through. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that alternatively or additionally the container 102 may comprise a sealing material to facilitates a snug fit between the discharger 106 and the container 102. For example, the inner portion of the container 102 may be coated with a sealing material, such as rubber, silicone or the like.

[0060] The discharger 106 further comprises at least one lifting element for lifting the discharger 106 from the inner portion of the container 102. In this example, the at least one lifting element is in the form of a pair of recesses 114 provided at an outer portion of the flat plate 110 of the discharger 106. The pair of recesses 114 form finger pulls and are arranged to facilitate that a user may grip the discharger 106 with two fingers on each hand. Whilst in this example the lifting elements 114 are in the form of recesses 114, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the at least one lifting element may be in any suitable form, such as in the form of one or more loops or protrusions protruding from a top surface of the discharger 106.

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a device 200 for tiling in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that like numerals refer to like components. The device 200 is similar to the device 100 in that the device 200 also comprises a container 102 for holding a tiling adhesive and a discharger 106 with a plurality of apertures 108.

[0062] In addition, the discharger 106 of the device 200 comprises an applicator 202 for applying a force to the top surface of the discharger 106, for example, via a tile placed on the top surface of the discharger 106. In this particular example, the applicator 202 comprises a base 204 for engaging with the top surface of the discharger 106 (or the tile) and a handle 206 that is connected to the base 204.

[0063] The handle 206 is pivotably connected to the container 102, in this example, via joints 208 at a top portion of opposite walls 104 of the container 102. The applicator 202 is configured such that by pivoting the handle 206, the base 204 applies a force to the top surface of the discharger 106 or a tile when placed on the top surface of the discharger 106. Thus, when a tile is positioned on the top surface of the discharger 106 and the handle is pivoted 206, the base 204 applies a force to the tile and thereby to the top surface of the discharger 106. In this way, the tile is secured in position and tiling adhesive is applied to the rear face of the tile through the plurality of apertures 108.

[0064] As shown in particular in FIG. 6, the applicator 202 further comprises an extension 210 between the handle 206 and the base 204. The extension 210 is connected to the handle 206 and the base 204 via respective pivot joints 212, 214. This has the particular advantage that the applicator 202 may be folded to be positioned flat against the top surface of the discharger as shown in FIG. 7.

[0065] The base 204 of the applicator 202 has an enlarged surface area for engaging with the top surface of the discharger 106. This has the particular advantage that the discharger 106 moves evenly in a substantially vertical direction within the inner portion of the container 102. In this way, the top surface of the discharger 106 can be maintained at a substantially constant level. Furthermore, by maintaining a substantially constant level of the discharger 106, it can be ensured that the amount of tiling adhesive discharged through the plurality of apertures 108 is substantially uniform.

[0066] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that additionally or alternatively, the device 200 may comprise guiding elements to facilitate that the discharger 106 moves evenly within the inner portion of the container 102, such as a track or a bar that is located in the inner portion of the container 102 for engaging with an edge of the discharger 106.

[0067] The device 200 in this example further comprises a lid 216 for closing the container 102. The lid 216 may seal the container 102 substantially air-tight to stop or at least slow down the tiling adhesive from hardening.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown an alternative example of a discharger 300 suitable for use with device 100 and device 200. The discharger 300 also has a body in the form of a flat plate 302 which comprises a plurality of apertures 304, each having a squared shape with rounded corners. The apertures 304 are arranged in a geometrical pattern of a square and provided such that tiling adhesive in the container 102 can move through the apertures 304 thereby being applied to the rear face of a tile (not shown). In this example, each aperture 304 comprises a rim 306 that extends along a top edge of the aperture 304 and is raised relative to a surface area defined by the flat plate 302. A top edge of the rim 306 of each aperture 304 is curved to define raised corners 308 that correspond to the four corners of the aperture 304, and lowered side portions 310 that correspond to the four sides of the aperture 304. The inventors of the present invention have found that the process of applying tiling adhesive to a tile can be improved by providing a curved rim 306. Specifically, more tiling adhesive may be applied to the tile compared to a device with a substantially straight rim.

[0069] In the examples described above, the devices are configured such that an entire tile can be received on the top surface of the discharger and within the circumference of the vertical walls of the container. In a further example (not shown), a device may be provided that is configured to define a contact surface that is raised relative to a top portion of the container. In other words, the contact surface for contacting a tile is higher than the vertical walls of the container. In this way, it may be possible to apply tiling adhesive to a tile that is larger than a cross-section of the container, similar to a stamp. For example, a tile may be placed on the raised contact surface of the discharger with the plurality of apertures to apply tiling adhesive to an area of the tile. A force may then be applied to the tiling adhesive in the container so as to cause a portion of the tiling adhesive to move through the plurality of apertures. This process may be repeated for other areas on the tile depending on the size of the tile.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a flow chart illustrating a method 400 of applying adhesive to a tile. The method 400 comprises a first step 402 of providing a device for tiling, such as device 100 or device 200 described above. In general, a device is provided that comprises a container for holding a tiling adhesive and a discharger. The container has substantially vertical walls defining an inner portion of the container and further comprises an opening at a top portion of the container. The discharger comprises at least one aperture and is configured to fit in the inner portion of the container.

[0071] In a further step 404, the container of the device is filled with a tiling adhesive. The discharger of the device is then positioned 406 within the inner portion of the container, for example, so that the discharger rests on the tiling adhesive within the container.

[0072] In a further step 408, a tile is positioned on the top surface of the discharger so that the tile covers the at least one aperture of the discharger, such as a plurality of apertures. The method 400 may comprise an optional step of selectively closing one or more of a plurality of apertures to match a size of the tile.

[0073] The method 400 also comprises a step 410 of applying pressure to the tile such that a portion of the tiling adhesive within the container moves through the at least one aperture of the discharger to apply tiling adhesive to the rear face of the tile. The pressure may be applied manually directly on the tile or through an applicator as described above. In step 412, the tile is removed from the device with a portion of tiling adhesive placed on the rear face of the tile.

[0074] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments and/or aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, it will be apparent that certain features of the invention can be combined to form further embodiments. The present embodiments and aspects are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings.