Nozzle

Abstract

There is disclosed a device for application of a flowable paste-like material such as mastic, e.g. between two surfaces such as tiles or onto a surface. Mastic applicators typically having a frusto-conical shaped nozzle are known. However, such have a number of disadvantages. For example, “keying” of the mastic is necessary to achieve a flat surface and a further wiping operation is required to achieve a reasonable finish. Accordingly, the invention provides a nozzle ( 10 ) having an outlet end including a first side ( 16 b ) and a second side ( 16 a ) which extends from a third side ( 16 d ), which first and second sides ( 16 b ,16 a ) taper towards one another in a direction away from the third side ( 16 d ). Beneficially first respective ends of the first and second sides ( 16 b ,16 a ) are connected by the third side ( 16 d ) and second respective ends of the first and second sides ( 16 b ,16 a ) are connected by a fourth side ( 16 c ) of the outlet end.

1 . A nozzle having an outlet end including a first side and a second side which extend from a third side, which first and second sides taper towards one another in a direction away from the third side. 
   
   
       2 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is adapted for supply of a flowable paste-like material such as a sealing/sealant material or mastic. 
   
   
       3 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein first respective ends of the first and second sides are connected by the third side and second respective ends of the first and second sides are connected by a fourth side of the outlet end. 
   
   
       4 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the third and fourth sides are spaced in substantially parallel relation. 
   
   
       5 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet end is substantially a bi-lateral symmetrical trapezoid in shape. 
   
   
       6 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an inlet end of the nozzle is substantially circular in shape. 
   
   
       7 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the nozzle between the outlet end and the inlet end is of a substantially bi-lateral symmetrical trapezoid shape which has a larger cross-section area than the bi-lateral symmetrical trapezoid of the outlet end. 
   
   
       8 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet end is substantially bi-lateral symmetrically trapezoidal in shape. 
   
   
       9 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the nozzle tapers outwardly from or between the outlet end to the inlet end at an angle between 0° to 180°. 
   
   
       10 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the nozzle tapers at an angle selected from one of around 30° to 50° and about 40° to 45°. 
   
   
       11 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein on an inner surface of the nozzle at or in the region of the inlet end there is provided a screw thread. 
   
   
       12 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle is constructed from a plastics material. 
   
   
       13 . A method of applying a paste-like material to a surface(s) or between surfaces including the steps of:
 providing a nozzle according to  claim 1 ; and   causing the paste-like material to pass through the nozzle and to be extruded through and out of an outlet end of the nozzle and onto the surface(s) or between the surfaces.   
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the paste-like material is a sealing/sealant material or mastic. 
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the paste-like material is mastic which is applied as grout or sealant between two surfaces to be sealed between, the two surfaces being optionally selected from one or more of tiles, window frames, sanitary ware, work surfaces or walls. 
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a cartridge and cartridge gun is used to supply the paste-like material. 
   
   
       17 . A paste-like material applicator comprising:
 a nozzle according to  claim 1 ;   a cartridge or paste-like material capable of being connected to the nozzle; and   means for causing the paste-like material to flow from the cartridge to the nozzle and then out of the outlet end of the nozzle.   
   
   
       18 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the flow causing means comprises a cartridge gun. 
   
   
       19 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the applicator also comprises a substantially frusto-conical nozzle. 
   
   
       20 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the frusto-conical nozzle is provided with a screw thread on an outer surface thereof engageable with a mateable screw thread provided on an inner surface of the nozzle. 
   
   
       21 . A nozzle having an outlet end having a first side and a second side of dissimilar length. 
   
   
       22 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first side is shorter than the second side. 
   
   
       23 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first and second respective ends of the first and second sides are connected by respective third and fourth sides of the outlet end. 
   
   
       24 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first and second sides are spaced in substantially parallel relation. 
   
   
       25 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the outlet end is substantially a bi-lateral symmetrical trapezoid in shape. 
   
   
       26 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein an inlet end of the nozzle is substantially cylindrical or conical in shape. 
   
   
       27 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the inlet end is also substantially bi-lateral symmetrically trapezoidal in shape. 
   
   
       28 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein at least one portion of the nozzle between the outlet end and the inlet end is of a substantially bi-lateral symmetrical trapezoid shape having a larger cross-sectional area than the bi-lateral symmetrical trapezoid of the outlet end. 
   
   
       29 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the at least one portion(s) is weakened/cuttable/tearable or frangible such that one may select a particular outlet and size. 
   
   
       30 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the nozzle tapers outwardly from or between the outlet end and the inlet end. 
   
   
       31 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein on an outer surface of the nozzle at or in the region of a or the input end there is provided a screw thread. 
   
   
       32 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the nozzle is constructed from a plastics material. 
   
   
       33 . A method of applying a paste-like material to a surface(s) or between surfaces including the steps of:
 providing a nozzle according to  claim 21 ; and   causing the paste-like material to pass through the nozzle and to be extruded through and out of an outlet end of the nozzle and onto the surface(s) or between the surfaces.   
   
   
       34 . A method as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the paste-like material is mastic which is applied as grout between two surfaces to be sealed between, the two surfaces being optionally selected from tiles, window frames, sanitary ware, work surfaces, walls, or work surfaces. 
   
   
       35 . A method as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein a cartridge and cartridge gun is used to supply the paste-like material. 
   
   
       36 . A paste-like material applicator comprising:
 a nozzle according to  claim 21 ;   a cartridge or paste-like material capable of being connected to the nozzle; and   means for causing the paste-like material to flow from the cartridge to the nozzle and then out of the outlet end of the nozzle.   
   
   
       37 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the flow causing means comprises a cartridge gun. 
   
   
       38 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the applicator may also comprises a substantially frusto-conical nozzle. 
   
   
       39 . An applicator as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the frusto-conical nozzle is provided with a screw thread on an outer surface thereof, the screw thread being engageable with a mateable screw thread provided on an inner surface of the nozzle. 
   
   
       40 - 42 . (canceled) 
   
   
       43 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second and third sides is linear. 
   
   
       44 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth sides are linear. 
   
   
       45 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first and second sides is linear. 
   
   
       46 . A nozzle as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth sides is linear.