Kit featuring various size caulking tips and corresponding caps

Abstract

A kit is provided that features a set of caulking tips and a set of caulking tip caps. The set of caulking tips have apertures with various diameters for applying caulking with a selected bead size, each of said caulking tips having a respective gripping area. The set of caulking tip caps have various corresponding diameters, each opening dimensioned to fit over a respective one of the caulking tips for closing the caulking tip after use. The caulking tips, or the caulking tip caps, or both, are made of a lightweight metal. Each caulking tip cap has a self-tapping thread on an inner surface for screwing onto the gripping area of a respective caulking tip. The lightweight metal is about 1/16″ thick. The caulking tips have a self-tapping thread on its inner surface for screwing onto a corresponding caulking tip of a container of caulking. The caulking tips each have an aperture with a different diameter, including the sizes 1/16″, ⅛″, 3/16″, ¼″. The kit also may include a cleaning tool for cleaning the caulking tips after use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to patent application Ser. No. 61/001,748, filed 1 Nov. 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a kit containing various size caulk tips and corresponding caps.

2. Description of Related Art

Sets of tools are known in the art, including screw driver sets, drill bit sets, ratchet bit sets, wrench sets, etc. Such sets provide a user with the flexibility of being able to selected a particular size or type of device within the set based on the need of the particular job being done, as well as to quickly change the particular size or type of device based on an initial wrong choice or as the job evolves. For example, when drilling a hole in a piece of wood or metal, many time one initially selects a certain drill bit size then realizes that a larger size may be needed. In this case, one simply reaches into the set and selects a new drill bit with a different larger size. Alternatively, when tightening or loosening a nut, many time one initially selects a certain ratchet bit then realizes that a larger or smaller size ratchet may be needed. These type of sets are convenient and effective in saving time and money when doing various jobs both around the house, as well as in industry, etc., as well as minimizing frustration.

However, there is no known kit having sets of caulking tips and corresponding caps to assist, e.g., a painter or homeowner, when applying caulking.

One problem in the art when applying caulking in the art is that one typically has to cut a plastic caulking tip of a caulking container to a certain size in order to get the right size caulking bead depending on the job. The size of the caulking bead depends on the job, e.g. a caulking bead used when caulking around tiled showers or tubs inside the house may call for one size, while a caulking bead used when caulking around outside windows, etc., may call for another size. Many times the homeowner may not even know the bead size to use or how to cut the caulk tip to get the desired bead size.

Another problem in the art when applying caulking is that once the tip of the caulking container is cut to a certain size, one cannot use the caulking container with a smaller size aperture, the opening size can only be increased. In such a case, many time one who caulks has to use a different container and cut a different size aperture in the caulking tip, sometimes even having to go out and buy another one.

Another problem in the art when applying caulk is that one who caulks must cut the caulking tip of the caulking contain with the hope of getting the right size aperture in order to get the right size caulking bead applied. This can be a tricky process, especially for the average homeowner. As stated above, the cutting process is not reversible if the aperture is cut too large.

Another problem in the art when applying caulk is that depending on the size of the opening cut, one who caulks may not have a caulking tip cap for closing the caulking tip. This can lead to wasted caulk that hardens in caulking container, or the need to re-open a new caulking container at a later date, e.g. the next day on a job.

The present invention solves a very long felt need in the painting industry, as well as around the home in relation to this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new and unique a kit featuring a set of caulking tips and a set of caulking tip caps that solves the problems in the art set forth above.

The set of caulking tips have apertures with various diameters for applying caulking with a selected bead size, each of said caulking tips having a respective gripping area.

The set of caulking tip caps have various corresponding diameters, each opening dimensioned to fit over a respective one of the caulking tips for closing the caulking tip after use.

Each caulking tip cap may also have a self-tapping thread on its inner surface for screwing onto the gripping area of a respective caulking tip.

The caulking tips, or the caulking tip caps, or both, may be made of a lightweight metal. The lightweight metal may be about 1/16″ thick.

The caulking tips may have a self-tapping thread on its inner surface for screwing onto a corresponding caulking tip of a container of caulking, or each caulk tip may be configured with an aperture 9 for receiving a self-tapping screw for gripping and engaging the surface of the corresponding caulk tip of a caulk container.

Each caulk tip may be configured to frictionally engage the surface of a corresponding caulk tip of a caulk container when pushed on.

Each caulking tip may be dimensioned at an angle α configured for smoothly applying the caulking. Experimentation has found that an angle α of about 45° provides a suitable application of the caulking.

The caulking tips may each have an aperture with a different diameter, including the sizes 1/16″, ⅛″, 3/16″, ¼″.

The kit also may include a cleaning tool for cleaning the caulking tips after use.

The kit may include an instruction sheet with recommendations for using different size tips for different caulking applications, as well as other recommendations.

One advantage of the claimed invention is that one can use one caulking tip to provide a bead having one size, and another caulking tip to provide a bead having another size.

Another advantage of the claimed invention is that one who caulks is provided the option of using a caulking tip having a predefined or standard opening size dimensioned in order to get the right size caulking bead applied for a particular job, e.g. caulking around tiled showers or tubs, caulking around outside windows, etc., or the ability to select from different caulking tips with different predefined or standard opening sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a kit having separate parts according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention features a kit generally indicated as 10 containing a set of caulking tips, one shown by way of example and generally indicated as 1, as well as a corresponding set of caulking tip caps, one shown by way of example and generally indicated as 3.

Each caulking tip has a different diameter hole ( 1/16″, ⅛″, 3/16″, ¼″) generally indicated as 6. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the sizes of the diameters, and may include sizes typically either now known and used in the painting industry or around the home, as well as sizes later developed for applications in the painting industry or around the home in the future. Each caulking tip 1 may have a gripping area 2 near the narrowest portion of the caulking tip 1 for engaging with a corresponding cap 3. Each caulking tip 1 may also have a self-tapping thread 1a on its inner surface for screwing onto a corresponding caulking tip of a container of caulking (not shown), or each caulk tip may be configured with an aperture 9 for receiving a self-tapping screw (not shown) for gripping and engaging the surface of the corresponding caulk tip of a caulk container. Many different types and kinds of self-tapping techniques are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

The corresponding set of caulking tip caps having openings with various corresponding diameters, each opening dimensioned to fit over a respective one of the caulking tips. The cap 3 may have a self-tapping thread 5 on its inner surface for engaging with the gripping area 2 on the caulking tip 1, or aperture and self tapping screw consistent with that described above. The caulking tip caps may be made of stainless steel, and/or heat treated and tempered.

Moreover, the scope of the invention is also intended to include a kit having the caulking tips and the caulking tip caps with corresponding threads for mating with one another.

Each caulking tip 6 is dimensioned at an angle α configured for smoothly applying the caulking. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular angle, although experimentation has found that an angle α of about 45° provides a suitable application of the caulking, so as to minimize the need for smoothing the caulking with the finger.

The kit 10 may also contain a cleaning tool 4 for removing caulking material buildup in the caulk tip 1.

The kit can include an instruction sheet with recommendations for using different size tips for different caulking applications. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of recommendation for using a particular size tip for a particular caulking application. For example, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that one professional may believe that one type or kind of caulking application calls for one size tip, while another professional may believe that another type or kind of caulking application may call for another tip size.

The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the number of different sized tips and corresponding caps, which may include sets of 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. different tips and corresponding caps.

THE SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A kit comprising:

a set of caulking tips having apertures with various diameters for applying caulking with a selected bead size, each of said caulking tips having a respective gripping area; and

a corresponding set of caulking tip caps having openings with various corresponding diameters, each opening dimensioned to fit over a respective one of the caulking tips for closing the caulking tip after use.

2. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the caulking tips, or the caulking tip caps, or both, are made of a lightweight metal.

3. A kit according to claim 1, wherein each caulking tip cap has a self-tapping thread on an inner surface for screwing onto the gripping area of a respective caulking tip, or the caulking tips each have a self-tapping thread on its inner surface for screwing onto a corresponding caulking tip of a container of caulking, or the combination thereof.

4. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the caulking tips each have an aperture with a different diameter, including the sizes 1/16″, ⅛″, 3/16″, ¼″.

5. A kit according to claim 2, wherein the lightweight metal is about 1/16″ thick.

6. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the kit includes a cleaning tool for cleaning the caulking tips after use.

7. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the kit comprises an instruction sheet having recommendations for using different size tips for different caulking applications.

8. A kit according to claim 1, wherein each caulk tip is configured with an aperture for receiving a self-tapping screw for gripping and engaging the surface of a corresponding caulk tip of a caulk container.

9. A kit according to claim 1, wherein each caulking tip is dimensioned at an angle α configured for smoothly applying the caulking, including an angle of about 45°.

10. A kit comprising:

a set of caulking tips having apertures with various diameters for applying caulking with a selected bead size, each of said caulking tips having a respective outer threads in a threaded area; and

a corresponding set of caulking tip caps having openings with various corresponding diameters, each opening dimensioned to fit over a respective one of the caulking tips, each caulking tip cap having a corresponding thread on an inner surface for screwing onto the respective outer threads of a respective caulking tip for closing the caulking tip after use.

11. A kit according to claim 10, wherein the caulking tips, or the caulking tip caps, or both, are made of a lightweight metal.

12. A kit according to claim 10, wherein each caulking tip cap has a self-tapping thread on an inner surface for screwing onto the gripping area of a respective caulking tip, or the caulking tips have a self-tapping thread on its inner surface for screwing onto a corresponding caulking tip of a container of caulking, or the combination thereof.

13. A kit according to claim 10, wherein the caulking tips each have an aperture with a different diameter, including the sizes 1/16″, ⅛″, 3/16″, ¼″.

14. A kit according to claim 10, wherein the lightweight metal is about 1/16″ thick.

15. A kit according to claim 10, wherein the kit includes a cleaning tool for cleaning the caulking tips after use.

16. A kit according to claim 10, wherein the kit comprises an instruction sheet having recommendations for using different size tips for different caulking applications.

17. A kit according to claim 10, wherein each caulk tip is configured with an aperture for receiving a self-tapping screw for gripping and engaging the surface of a corresponding caulk tip of a caulk container.

18. A kit according to claim 10, wherein each caulking tip is dimensioned at an angle α configured for smoothly applying the caulking, including an angle of about 45°.

19. A kit according to claim 1, wherein each caulk tip is configured to frictionally engage the surface of a corresponding caulk tip of a caulk container when pushed on.

20. A kit according to claim 10, wherein each caulk tip is configured to frictionally engage the surface of a corresponding caulk tip of a caulk container when pushed on.